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Vets release lists of 10 most common poison hazards for dogs, cats


FARMINGTON – The veterinarians and toxicology experts at Pet Poison Helpline have released their top 10 list of household items that generated the most poison consultations for dogs and cats in 2013. The items below are presented in order of frequency, with No. 1 being the item that caused the most emergency calls to Pet Poison Helpline.

Top 10 poisons for dogs



3. NSAIDS: Ibuprofen, naproxen and so on, found in products such as Advil, Motrin and Aleve, are not easily metabolized by dogs. Ingestions result in stomach ulcers and kidney failure.

4. Over-the-counter cough, cold and allergy medications. Those that contain acetaminophen or decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine, are particularly toxic.



7. Insect bait stations: These rarely cause poisoning in dogs. The bigger risk is bowel obstruction when dogs swallow the plastic casing.


9. Glucosamine joint supplements: Overdoses of tasty products such as Cosequin and Move Free typically only cause diarrhea. However, in rare cases, liver failure can develop.


Top 10 toxins for cats

1. Lilies: Plants in the Lilium species, such as Easter, tiger and Asiatic lilies, cause kidney failure in cats. All cat owners need to be made aware of these highly toxic plants, say Pet Poison Helpline experts.

2. Household cleaners: Most general-purpose cleaners, such as Windex and 409, are fairly safe, but concentrated products such as toilet bowl or drain cleaners can cause chemical burns.

3. Flea and tick spot-on for dogs: Those that are pyrethroid-based (Zodiak, K9 Advantix, Sergeant’s) can cause tremors and seizures and can be deadly to cats.


5. NSAIDS: Cats are even more sensitive than dogs to drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen. Even veterinary-specific NSAIDS, such as carprofen and meloxicam, should be used with caution.

6. Prescription ADD/ADHD medications: These drugs have the same toxic effects in cats as in dogs.





If you suspect your pet has gotten into a potential toxin, call your veterinarian and/or Pet Poison Helpline at 1-800-213-6680.



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