Top household poisons for your pets

Remember the Mr.Yuk stickers? Our parents used to pick them up at their favorite pharmacy in sheets of various sized black & green faces. As kids, we were conditioned to see that and stay away - poison! Unfortunately, pets don't much notice these warnings. Matter of fact, some things that are very harmful to them are things they'd love to eat if left unattended.

Here are some common, yet overlooked, pet poisons you may find around the house:

• Medications - human or vet prescribed. Whether it's a vial chewed and contents swallowed, or a curious pet that finds the one pill that fell on the floor. Quantity is not always the issue; type is. Pain relievers such as Advil and Tylenol, cold medications, and vitamin D, too.
• Plants - azalea, rhododendron, amaryllis, chrysanthemum, lilies (especially for cats!) can cause stomach troubles or even kidney failure in some pets. 
• Garden products - this includes insecticides, rodenticides, fertilizers, weed killers, and even flea products used incorrectly. If you've watered outdoor plants with a hose/fertilizer attachment,  keep pets off wet patio or sidewalk areas until dry.
• Cleaners/Chemicals - floor cleaners, degreasers, pool & spa maintenance products, bleach and antifreeze are just a few. Keep in mind where you store these items. Some pets are skilled in cupboard opening!
• People foods - chocolate, raisins, grapes, and avocados, onion, macadamia nuts, gum and sugar substitutes like Xylitol.

For a detailed list of plants from that ASPCA, click here for dogs; here for cats.
For a more complete list of people foods, click here.


If you are concerned that your pet has been exposed to something poisonous, chances are you'll have to pay a fee in order to receive help via a toll free hotline. The ASPCA's line is: (888) 426-4435. However, there is a $65 consult fee for this service. For a cheaper alternative, Pet Poison Helpline is an option with a $35 fee at: (800) 213-6680. If you live in the Seattle area, there is Washington Poison Control: (800) 222-1222 which now has a $30 fee for calls about animals.
OR contact the 24hr emergency VCA clinics in your part of town.
Lynwood: (425) 775-7655
West Seattle: (206) 923-3551
Burien: (206) 243-2982

When you call, be sure to have the following on hand for faster support:

• know your pet's breed, age, sex, and approximate weight
• presenting symptoms
• how much they ingested and how long ago
• the product's packaging if possible
• it may also be helpful to save any partially chewed product or vomit in a plastic bag in case the need for further analysis at the vet