Call
Chat
Email
Many things in your home may be poisonous to your pets. Dogs, cats, and other household pets are curious. They like to lick and chew, which places them at risk of being poisoned. You can help keep your pets safe by storing and using poisons safely.
What do I do if my pet gets poisoned?
Call your veterinarian, the Pet Poison Hotline or the Animal Poison Control Center at 1888.426.4435 immediately.
Tips to Prevent Pet Poisoning:
- Alcohol: Do not give your pets alcohol or let them lick up spilled drinks. Large amounts of alcohol can be deadly.
- Automotive Products: Store automotive products (car cleaners, antifreeze, windshield washer, etc.) in tightly closed containers kept out of the reach and sight of your pets. Make sure you clean up any spills or leaks immediately. When throwing out automotive products, follow the product label directions. Do not pour products into the street or in your yard.
- Fertilizers: Keep your pets away from yards and gardens when you are using fertilizers. Your pets may get poisoned by licking their paws after walking on a newly fertilized lawn; keep them away until the lawn is completely dry.
- Flea and Tick Sprays: When you use flea and tick products, always read the product label and follow the directions carefully. If your pet begins to act strangely, stop using the product. Wash your pet off with soap and water, and call the Georgia Poison Center or your veterinarian right away. Never use products meant for dogs on your cats or vice versa. Do not use household or yard products on your pets.
- Household Cleaners & Chemicals: Keep your pets out of rooms where cleaners are being used. Your pets can easily get into cleaners left in open buckets or spilled on the floor. Toilet bowl cleaners, bleach, dishwashing detergents, drain cleaners, pine oils, and other cleaning products can be deadly to your pets. Keep cleaners stored in tightly closed containers, out of the reach and sight of pets. Make sure you clean up cleaning supplies spills right away.
- Medicines and Vitamins: Never give medicine meant for one animal to another. Always check with your veterinarian before giving your pets any medicine. Make sure you follow directions when giving your pets medicine. Keep medicines stored out of the reach and sight of your pets at all times. Medicine and vitamins meant for people may not be safe for your pets; this includes over-the-counter medicines like aspirin, ibuprofen, cough or cold medicines and decongestants.
- Pesticides: Pesticides are chemicals used to kill weeds, bugs, rats, mice, and other rodents. They can also kill your pets. Before you use any pesticide, read the product label and follow directions. If you use baits or powders, put them where your pets cannot find them. Store pesticides in tightly closed containers kept out of the reach and sight of your pets.
- Plants and Mushrooms: Many indoor and outdoor plants and mushrooms are poisonous to pets. Pets, especially cats, love to chew on plants. Keep poisonous plants away from your pets. Make sure you know the names of your plants.
- Chocolate: Store all chocolate out of the reach and sight of your pets. Chocolate can be deadly to your pets.
