MEOWZ

National Poison Prevention Week is March 16 - 22

Every year, thousands of dogs and cats are poisoned in the "safety" of their own homes. They don't read labels. Plus, things that would taste awful to us, like antifreeze, they find lip-smackingly good. If you discover your pet eating -- or rolling in -- something dangerous, consider it an emergency and get him to the vet right away. With poisoning, every minute counts.

If you can't get professional help right away, here are some things you should do to make sure that curiosity doesn't kill the cat (or dog).

It's always a good idea to be vigilant about what your pets are getting into. Many common household items, such as mothballs, potpourri oils and batteries can be dangerous to animals. Be aware of plants, such as azalea, oleander and castor bean, that you  may have in your home and yard. The plant material can be fatal to an animal.

  Most dogs, cats, birds and small animals are naturally curious, and will check out new things by tasting them. This means all cleaners, chemicals, houseplants, medications, vitamins, etc should be out of reach. For example, do you use drop in toliet cleaners to keep the water sparkling clean? Then keep the lids down - unless you want your pet to be drinking bleach and cleaner.

Be aware of the plants you have in your home and yard. The ingestion of azalea, oleander, castor bean, sago palm, Easter lily (in cats only), or yew plant material by an animal can be fatal.

Never allow your pets to have access to the areas in which cleaning agents are being used or stored. Cleaning agents have a variety of properties; some may only cause mild stomach upset, but others can cause severe burns of the tongue, mouth and stomach.

Most baits contain ingredients that can attract your pets. When using rat, mouse, snail or slug baits, or ant or roach traps, place the products in areas that are inaccessible to your companion animals

Never give your companion animals medication unless you are directed to do so by a veterinarian. Many medications that are safe for humans can be deadly for animals. For example, one extra strength (500mg) acetaminophen tablet could be fatal to a catKeep all prescription and over-the-counter drugs out of your pets' reach, preferably in closed cabinets. Pain killers, cold medicines, anti-cancer drugs, antidepressants, vitamins and diet pills are all examples of human medications that can be lethal to animals, even in small doses

Food items that potentially could be dangerous include onions, onion powder, chocolate (bakers, semi sweet, milk, dark), alcoholic beverages, yeast dough, coffee (grounds, beans, chocolate covered espresso beans), tea (caffeine), salt, macadamia nuts, hops (used in home beer brewing), tomato leaves and stems (green parts), tomato leaves and stems (green parts), rhubarb leaves, avocados (toxic to birds, mice, rabbits, horses, cattle, and dairy goats), cigarettes, cigars, snuff, chewing tobacco, moldy or spoiled foods.

Automotive products such as gasoline, oil and antifreeze should be stored in areas that are inaccessible to your pets. As little as one teaspoon of antifreeze can be deadly to a cat; less than one tablespoon can be lethal to a 20-pound dog.

Before buying a flea product, consult your veterinarian, especially when treating sick, debilitated or pregnant pets.And never buy Hartz  flea products

For Online Information
For online information about the ASPCA/NAPCC visit the web site at:
http://www.napcc.aspca.org

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