Lethal to Pets: Watch Out For These Household Products

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Animal Poison Control Center has an extensive list of things that are poison to our pets. The list divides into many categories in different areas from foods, to medication, to warm weather hazardous, to winter dangers, and to general household things that we might overlook. Dr. Steven Hansen, a board certified toxicologist offers tips to keep your furry friend safe.

Here is a list of things that I found very important to know.

Lilies and azalea

These beautiful flowers can be lethal to your cat. The ASPCA receives calls from pet owners whose kitty ate a lily. Dogs can also get sick from eating azalea or rhododendron, which can lead to vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, weakness, depression of the central nervous system, and in rare cases, death. Ingesting even a small amount of these flowers can cause kidney problem.

Pennies

A dog can choke on any coin, but pennies are most dangerous because they're made with zinc, which is toxic to animals. If the penny sits in your pet's stomach, the zinc leaks out into the red blood cells, causing severe anemia and kidney problems. Pennies that are minted after 1982 has 99.2 percent zinc, and those that are minted earlier has only five percent. The newer the penny, the more deadly it is to be.

Pine-Oil Cleaners

The phenol in these products can cause serious liver damage in cats, and it doesn't take much for a kitten to be exposed. Your kitty might just lick the stuff off her feet.

Polyurethane glue

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center reports a 309 percent increase in glue-related incidents since 2002. "When swallowed, it goes to the stomach, absorbs moisture, and expands to form a large, rock-like mass," explains Dr. Hansen. So if your dog's stomach is swollen, take him to a vet. Your pet may need to have a glob of glue surgically removed.

Medications

Do not leave closed childproof containers of medication where your pet can get a hold of. "Animal can crush them," warns Dr. Hansen. Prescription pills could kill your pet.

Liquid Potpourri

Liquid potpourri oils can badly burned a cat or dog. Many of the liquid-potpourri ingredients can also cause ulcers in your animal's mouth, throat, and / or gastrointestinal tract. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center has seen 330 cases since 2001, and involves mostly cats. The formula can also be toxic to dogs, but cats are more prone to potpourri, since they are more likely to jump at the flickering light.

Loving your pets, taking care of them, and preventing dangers to them are part of good ownership. You can find out more information on the ASPCA.org. Keep this number handy 1-888-426-4435, in case you suspect that your pets ingested something dangerous.