Tips for a Friendly (Poison Free) Home

Don’t leave chocolate lying around. Approximately one-half ounce or less of baking chocolate per pound body weight can cause problems. Even small amounts can cause pancreatic problems.

Before purchasing or using flea and tick products on your pet or in your home, do some research and learn what types of flea products are recommended for your pet. Read ALL information before using a product on your animals or in your home. Always follow label instructions. Also, when using a fogger or a house spray, make sure to remove all pets from the area for the time period specified on the container. If you have questions about the usage of any product, contact the manufacturer or your veterinarian to clarify the directions BEFORE using the product.

Be conscience of the plants you have in your house and in the yard where your friend plays. The ingestion of azalea, oleander, mistletoe, sago palm, Easter lily, or yew plant material, by an animal, could be fatal.

When cleaning your home, be sure your baby never has access to the area where cleaning solvents are used or stored. Cleaning products produce a great number of complications. There are a few that causes a mild stomach upset, while others could cause severe burns of the tongue, mouth, and stomach.

When deciding to use rat or mouse baits, ant or roach traps, or snail and slug baits, remember to place the products in areas that are inaccessible to your pets. Most baits contain sweet smelling inert ingredients, such as jelly, peanut butter, and sugars, which can be very attractive to your pet.  The idea is to get rid of unwanted pest not your best friend.

Never give your pet any medications unless under the direction of your veterinarian. Many drugs that are used safely in humans can be deadly when used inappropriately. One extra strength acetaminophen tablet (500mg) can kill a seven-pound yorkie.

Store 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 common examples of human medication that could be potentially lethal even in small dosages. One regular strength ibuprofen (200mg) could cause stomach ulcers in a ten-pound dog.

Many common household items have been shown to be lethal in certain species. Miscellaneous items that are highly toxic even in low quantities include pennies (high concentration of zinc), mothballs (contain naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. one or two balls can be life threatening in most species), potpourri oils, fabric softener sheets, automatic dish detergents (contain cationic detergents which could cause corrosive lesions), batteries (contain acids or alkali which can also cause corrosive lesions), homemade play dough (contains high quantity of salt), winter heat source agents like hand or foot warmers (contain high levels of iron), cigarettes, coffee grounds, and alcoholic beverages.

All automotive products such as oil, gasoline, and antifreeze, should be stored in areas away from pet access. As little as one teaspoon of antifreeze (ethylene glycol) can be deadly in a seven-pound puppy and less than one tablespoon could be lethal to a 20-pound dog.  I’ve had this happen to one of my Yorkies.  I rushed her to the emergency room… she survived but she was left sterile as a result.  This experience was difficult for this baby not to mention her owner.

When treating your lawn or garden with fertilizers, herbicides, or insecticides, all animals need a safe place to play away from the area until the area dries completely. Discuss usage of products with the manufacturer of the products to be used. Always store such products in an area that is well out of reach of your yorkie.