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Common Toxins

There are many potentially hazardous things that pets sometimes eat. Most of the things on this list are true toxins, while others are dangerous because of their physical properties. This list is for general information only and by no means comprehensive. If you have a specific question, please call us.

•  Chocolate
• Antifreeze
• Rat Poison
• Grapes and Raisins
• Onions & Garlic
• Tobacco
• Sugar free gum with Xylitol
• Tylenol (acetaminophen)
• Ibuprofen
• Paint Balls
• Zinc
• Alcohol (Ethanol)
• Bread Dough
• Permethrins

Chocolate

Chocolate contains compounds that can be toxic to animals and is never an appropriate food for pets. Not all chocolate, however, is created equally. Milk chocolate has relatively small amounts of the dangerous compounds, while baker’s chocolate has much higher levels and is far more dangerous. If your pet has gotten into any chocolate, please call us for advice.

Antifreeze

Antifreeze (ethylene glycol) is one of the most dangerous substances to which pets are exposed. It has a sweet taste, so animals like to drink this deadly liquid. Initial symptoms resemble a drunken state. The toxin then rapidly destroys the kidneys. There is an antidote, but it has to be administered very quickly after consumption in order to help. If your pet ingests antifreeze, go to the veterinarian immediately.

 Rat Poison

The most common type of rat poison acts by causing bleeding. Left untreated, patients exposed to rat poison bleed to death. If caught early there is a very effective antidote. If your pet has been exposed to rat poison please call immediately.

 Grapes & Raisins

While these would seem like harmless treats, they are actually toxic to dogs. If a sufficient quantity is ingested, they can cause kidney failure.

 Onions & Garlic

These common foods can cause damage to red blood cells resulting in anemia in cats & dogs. Toxicity has been reported for fresh and powdered forms of these foods. Even baby food with garlic in it has been reported to cause problems in cats.

 Tobacco

Eating cigarette butts or cigars can very quickly result in nicotine intoxication. Symptoms include excitation, weakness, twitching, respiratory paralysis, and cardiac arrest.

 Xylitol

Xylitol is an artificial sweetener used in many sugar free gums and candies. It has been associated with severe drops in blood sugar and liver damage in dogs.

 Tylenol

Tylenol is a deadly toxin in cats. Never, ever give any Tylenol to a cat. This drug should only be used in a dog under the direct recommendation of a veterinarian. In case of accidental ingestion, call immediately.

 Ibuprofen

NEVER give ibuprofen to any cat or dog. It can cause bleeding stomach ulcers and kidney failure. In case of accidental ingestion, call immediately.

 Paint Balls

While paint balls are technically non-toxic, they can cause severe osmotic diarrhea resulting in dangerous electrolyte changes in the body. Pets that ingest a significant number of paintballs often require hospitalization for fluid therapy.

 Zinc

Zinc is found in pennies minted after 1983, and galvanized items such as kennel cage nuts. If ingested, it can cause red blood cell destruction and anemia.

 Ethanol

Ethanol is the type of alcohol found in beverages such as beer and wine. If consumed by pets, they can get more than just drunk because of their smaller body mass. In addition to the typical signs of intoxication, alcohol can cause respiratory depression, coma, and even cardiac arrest.

 Bread Dough

Rising bread can be life threatening to dogs. If eaten, body heat causes the dough to “rise” in the stomach. This causes the dough to increase to several times its original size which can be painful and dangerous. Additionally, the fermentation process results in ethanol production which can cause alcohol toxicity.

Permethrins

Permethrins are commonly found in over the counter flea products for dogs. Unfortunately, they are highly toxic to cats. We often see cats come in tremoring or seizuring uncontrollably after a well meaning pet owner applied a dog product to a cat. Never apply one of these dog only products to a cat.