Dr. Joel Conn’s segment “Pet Tips” aired today on 95.3 The Beach! The topic was “Household Toxins.” Tune in every Friday morning at 7:25am to hear more Pet Tips!
Click Here to Listen – Pet Tips: Household Toxins (MP3)
“This week on pet tips we’re going to talk about household toxins and foods to avoid.
If your pets are anything like mine, they are always trying to get table scraps or sneak their way into the garbage can. Though many human foods are safe in pets, there are some toxic ones that every pet owner should know about:
- Grapes and raisins
- Onion and garlic, which are sometimes found in over the counter supplements
- Chocolate and Caffeine
- Any raw meats, eggs, bones
- Sugar-free candies (especially those containing xylitol)
- Avocado
- Macadamia nuts
- And Fatty foods (such as hotdogs, chips)
These foods can cause symptoms ranging from upset stomach to kidney or liver failure. If you think that your pet may have consumed one of these items, be sure to seek medical assistance immediately.
Aside from human foods, there are some other common household toxic items that are important to be aware of:
- Plants such as lilies, rhododendrons, oleander, mushrooms, and tulips can be extremely dangerous even in small quantities.
- Antifreeze, which has a sweet flavor, will attract dogs and cats to lick it off the garage floor
- Bird seed, which frequently spoils and may contain harmful fungus
- And of course, pesticides like rat, snail, and gopher bait. These can cause internal bleeding, neurological symptoms like tremors and seizures, and are frequently fatal if not treated. The thing to remember about these pesticides, is that even if the bait is hidden away from your pet, the rat that eats the bait may go anywhere. If your pet eats that rat, the result is the same as eating the bait directly.
It’s important to be aware of your household environment and keep anything potentially toxic well out of your pet’s reach. Pesticides should always be avoided if possible.
This is Dr. Joel Conn from Pismo Beach Veterinary Clinic. I’ll be back next week with more pet tips. For more information, visit us online at pismobeachvet.com or come see us at 990 Price Street, Pismo Beach. hotstar Download We are open 7 days a week!”