The third full week in March is National Poison Prevention Week, which was started in 1962 by Congress and President John F. Kennedy. It starts on March 20th in 2022.
March also happens to be Pet Poison Prevention Awareness Month, so it is an especially appropriate time for us to talk about ways we can prevent accidental poisoning in our dogs and spread education to other dog parents about steps they can take to keep their pups safe.
Here are some things you should know during National Poison Prevention Week and Pet Poison Prevention Awareness Month.
What To Do If Your Dog Is Poisoned
Firstly, if you suspect your dog has been poisoned, call your nearest emergency veterinarian immediately and follow their instructions.
When you call, the vet may instruct you to give your dog a counteractive substance, fluids to dilute the poison or help it pass through the system, or medicine.
They may also instruct you to induce vomiting or bring your dog to the pet emergency room for treatment immediately.
It is important that you do NOT take any of these steps without veterinary instructions because different cases of poisoning require different solutions. If you try to induce vomiting or give your dog medication without a vet’s approval, you can make the situation far worse or even deadly.
If an emergency veterinarian is unavailable, you can try contacting the ASPCA’s animal poison control hotline at (888) 426-4435. Just be aware that you may be charged a fee for using this service.
Symptoms Of Poisoning In Dogs
Symptoms of poisoning in dogs vary depending on the substance that has been ingested, but they may include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea or bloody stool
- Excessive urination
- Seizures
- Nosebleeds
- Loss of appetite
- Unusual behavior
- Dizziness
- Loss of coordination
- Lethargy
- Unusual breathing patterns or heartbeat
Keep in mind, these are only a few signs of poisoning, and other symptoms may appear.
Most Common Ways Dogs Are Poisoned
While accidents happen, the best method of keeping dogs safe from poisoning is prevention.
There are many common household and environmental substances and items that can cause poisoning in dogs. The list below is not a complete list of all the things that may cause poisoning in your dog, but it goes over some of the most common substances that cause canine poisoning.
If you have these items in your home or see them in your dog’s outdoor environment, then you should remove them or put them somewhere that your dog cannot reach.
Here are some of the substances that cause the most poisonings in dogs:
- Chocolate, grapes, and several other human foods (ask your vet before sharing food with your dog)
- Artificial sweeteners such as xylitol — found in many candies and peanut butters
- Household cleaners and chemicals
- Certain soaps
- Certain essential oils and liquid potpourri
- Paint
- Heavy metals, including those in pennies
- Pesticides or herbicides
- Fertilizer
- Antifreeze
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Tobacco or vape liquid
- Prescription or recreational drugs, including marijuana
- Human vitamins
- Rodent poison
- Batteries
- Glow sticks
- Fabric softener
- Several types of plants, including sago palm, oleander, azaleas, poinsettias, lilies, and spring bulbs
- Kerosene, gasoline, or torch fluid
- Snail bait
- Toxic toads — native to many parts of the United States
- Poisonous mushrooms
- Mothballs
Please help spread the word during Pet Poison Prevention Awareness Month and National Poison Prevention Week so we can help save dogs’ lives. Share this information with your dog loving friends and family so we can prevent dogs from being accidentally poisoned.
What kinds of steps do you take to make sure your dog doesn’t get poisoned by substances in or around your home? Have you ever had to deal with an accidental poisoning emergency? Let us know in the comments below!
