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Home > Knowledge & Fun > Pet Health & Education > Pet Education > Dogs and Cats - Education > Poisonous to your Pet

Poisonous to your Pet

Sometimes it seems like our trouble-making pets will eat anything. Their hoovering ability comes in handy when you spill chicken soup on the floor (tongues being just as good as mops). But unfortunately, it's all too easy for our pets to get into substances that can harm them.

The ASPCA Poison Control Center recently released a list of the top poisons that affected cats and dogs in 2009. So take note, and be sure keep these toxic substances far away from your pets in 2010!

Plants:Following is a list of the most common plants and flowers that may be deadly for your dog if ingested. In some cases, only certain parts of these are poisonous, such as the leaves of the tomato plant and not the tomato itself. In many varieties of flowers listed, it is the bulb portion that is poisonous. Use this list as a guideline to make your home "safe" and "secure" for your Dogs. If in doubt about a particular item specified herein, check with a reliable source or complete reference book before allowing your pet access to a potential disaster.

Algae, Blue Green
Almond
Anemone
Amaryllis
Apple (seeds)
Apricot Pits
Arrow Grass
Avocado
Azalea
Balsam
Baneberry
Belladonna
Bird Of Paradise
Bittersweet
Black-Eyed Susan
Bleeding Heart
Bloodroot
Boxwood
Burning Bush
Buttercup
Cactus
Caladium
Calla Lily
Castor Bean
Cherry
Christmas Chrysanthemum
Columbine
Cornflower
Crocus
Cyclamen
Daffodil
Daphne
Delphinium

Dumb Cane

Eggplant

Elderberry

Elephant Ear

Euonymus

Flax

Four O'clock

Foxglove

Golden Glow

Henbane

Hemlock

Holly

Honeysuckle

Horse Chestnut

Hyacinth

Hydrangea

Impatiens

Iris

Ivy

Jack-In-The-Pulpit

Japanese Plum

Jasmine

Java Beans

Jimson Weed

Jonquil

Juniper

Laburnum

Lantana

Larkspur

Laurel

Lily Of The Valley

Lily

Locoweed, most forms

Mistletoe

Monkshood

Morning Glory

Mountain Laurel

Mushrooms (toadstools)

Nightshade

Nutmeg

Oak Trees

Oleander

Peach (seed)

Pear (seed)

Peony

Pimpernel

Plums (foliage, seed)

Poinsettia

Poison Ivy

Poison Oak

Pokeweed

Poppy

Potato (shoots, leaves, eyes)

Privet

Rhododendron

Rhubarb (foliage, raw stems)

Scotch Broom

Skunk Cabbage

Snapdragon

Snowdrop

Star Of Bethlehem

Tobacco

Tomato (foliage, vines)

Tulip

Verbena

Virginia Creeper

Wisteria

Yew, most forms

Human Medicines: Human drugs were the top cause of pet poisoning in 2009, the ASPCA reported. Last year, the Poison Control Center managed more than 45,000 calls from people whose pets had swallowed pills such as pain relievers, cold meds and antidepressants.

Insecticides: One of the most common insecticide problems was misuse of flea and tick products. Make sure to talk to your vet about how to properly use these products.

Human Food: Most people know chocolate is dangerous to dogs. But did you know that grapes, raisins, avocados and products containing xylitol (like sugar-free gum and candy) can also be harmful to your pets?

Vet Medicines: Almost 8,000 cases of pet poisonings in 2009 involved pets that were given medicines incorrectly. Make sure you follow instructions and talk to your vet about how to safely apply over-the-counter and prescription medicines for your cat or dog.

Rodent Killer: Poisons that are attractive to mice and rats can also smell tempting to dogs and cats. Be sure to keep your pets away from potentially deadly rodent poisons.

Household Cleaners: Bleaches, detergents and disinfectants can cause serious gastrointestinal and respiratory problems. Keep cabinets locked to prevent your pets from swallowing or sniffing the harmful substances.

Heavy Metals: You know lead poisoning is bad for babies, but it's just as dangerous for your furry friends. Keep your pets away from paint chips, linoleum, and the dust produced when you sand the walls in older homes.

Garden Products: Fertilizers and other garden chemicals can cause severe stomach upset in dogs and cats. So let your dog stop to sniff the roses, but not the fertilizer, please.

Household Chemicals: Our homes often contain a lot of chemical substances, from antifreeze to paint thinner to drain cleaner. Such substances can cause stomach upset, respiratory problems and chemical burns in dogs and cats.