The 13 Most Common Causes of Pet Poisoning

There are many things in and around your home that could lead to accidental pet poisoning. Some you may be aware of, but others might surprise you. Responsible pet owners take the time to find out what's in their home that could poison their pet.

Once you know what substances cause pet poisoning, you can take preventative measures to remove them from your home or make sure they're safely locked where pets can't get to them. Pets are unpredictable, and you can't just assume your dog won't play with that bottle of cleaning solution in the laundry room, or that your cat won't chew on the plant in the corner.

Far too many pet owners have done that and paid the price. Depending on what substance your pet ingests, poisoning can occur quickly and can be lethal. Based on 20,000 pet poisoning claims reported to a large pet insurance company between 2005 and 2009, the following are the 13 most common causes of pet poisoning:

#1 Cause of Pet Poisoning: Medicine

There were 5,131 cases of accidental ingestion of human or pet medicine. To a pet, your pill bottle is a fun toy, but if it accidentally opens they may be tempted to eat the contents. Pets will also eat pills dropped on the floor, so be sure to keep all prescription drugs and over-the-counter pills like painkillers, cold and allergy medications and supplements safely stored in your medicine cabinet. Pet poisoning can also occur with medications that are meant for pets (such as de-wormers, heartworm preventatives, anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics and nutritional supplements) if they are misapplied or improperly dispensed.

#2 Cause of Pet Poisoning: Rodenticide

There were 4,028 reported cases of accidental poisonings from rodenticide (poisons used to kills rats, mice and gophers). Many rodent baits contain anticoagulants ( brodificoum, diphacinone, warfarin, bromadiolone ) which slow the clotting of blood and interfere with normal liver functions. Rodenticide can cause bleeding disorders, neurological problems, gastrointestinal distress, kidney failure and even death. If you have pets, use a humane trap whenever possible and if not, be sure to place the rodent bait where pets do not have access. Be aware that rodents can also drag poisons to places your dog or cat can reach.

#3 Cause of Pet Poisoning: Chocolate/Caffeine

Methylxanthine toxicity (the substance found in chocolate and caffeine) accounted for 3,661 pet poisoning claims. Ingesting large amounts of methylxanthines can cause vomiting, diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors and seizures.

#4 Cause of Pet Poisoning: Plants

There were 2808 poisonings caused by plants, which isn't surprising since more than 700 plants are said to produce toxins that could be harmful to pets. Lilies, cyclamens, tulips, azaleas, rhododendron, sago palms and kalanchoe plants are often found in homes, and if ingested can result in everything from mild nausea to life-threatening illnesses.

#5 Cause of Pet Poisoning: Cleaning Supplies

Household cleaners resulted in 1669 pet poisoning claims. Many traditional cleaners are made with harsh chemicals that can be very dangerous for pets. Since pets walk on floors with their "bare paws" they can ingest the chemical residue when they lick them. When inhaled by pets, chemical cleaners can cause gastrointestinal distress and irritation to the respiratory tract.

#6 Cause of Pet Poisoning: Slug & Snail Bait

Metaldehyde (the active ingredient in most slug and snail bait) accounted for 396 poisonings. The pellets can be attractive to pets because they resemble kibble and may contain molasses, apples and bran. Liquid and granule forms of snail bait can poison a pet who walks where it was distributed.

#7 Cause of Pet Poisoning: insecticide

Misuse of products such as flea and tick insecticides - including topical application of the wrong product, or using a product meant for dogs on your cats, or vice versa - resulted in 323 claims.

#8 Cause of Pet Poisoning: Metal Toxicity

There were 288 reported cases of heavy metal toxicity in pets, caused by exposure to metals such as zinc, mercury and especially lead, which is found in many consumer products, paint chips, linoleum, and lead dust created by scraping or sanding surfaces in older homes. Heavy metals are toxic to cells because they compete with the nutritional minerals necessary for proper bodily functions and good health.

#9 Cause of Pet Poisoning: Toads

Toads have toxins in their system that can poison a curious pet that picks them up in its mouth. The toad doesn't have to be eaten in order to poison a pet either; the toxins can be absorbed through the mucous linings of their mouth. Toad poisoning claims totaled 270.

#10 Cause of Pet Poisoning: Antifreeze

The main component of antifreeze is ethylene glycol, a substance that is highly toxic to all creatures. Unfortunately, the sweet taste is very attractive to pets, who will lick carelessly discarded containers or drink from puddles formed below a leaky radiator. Antifreeze resulted in 213 pet poisonings. Ethylene glycol is also found in brake fluid, liquid rust inhibitors, hydraulic fluids and solar collectors.

#11-13 Causes of Pet Poisoning: Walnuts, Alcohol & Strychnine

There were 100 cases of pet poisoning from walnuts, 75 from alcohol toxicity and 28 from strychnine.

The California-based Veterinary Pet Insurance analyzed its database of more than 485,000 insured pets to compile this list of the 13 most common causes of pet poisoning. All together, these pet poisoning claims totaled $6.6 million dollars.

In addition to knowing what substances could cause pet poisoning and taking safety precautions with them, all pet owners should be prepared for unexpected poisoning emergencies. Pet owners should keep three phone numbers handy at all times, for help with pet poisoning. These include the number for your regular veterinarian and the closest emergency vet hospital, as well as a pet poison hotline that is staffed 24/7.

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http://www.probioticsmart.com/blog/2010/10/13-most-common-causes-of-pet-poisoning/

http://barksniff.blogspot.com/2010/07/veterinary-pet-insurance-lists-top-pet.html

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/top-10-pet-poisons-of-the-year.aspx