What Dangerous Poisons Can Harm My Dog in the Yard and Home?

Our dogs are always inquisitive, getting their noses into everything.  Some of those things might be toxic or poisonous to them.  It is our responsibility to keep those items away from them and our dogs safe and healthy.

• Foods such as chocolate, onions, grapes, raisons, alcohol, coffee, Coke, many types of nuts, gum, and chocolate can be poisonous at specific doses. Always watch where you leave food around your house.
• Don’t let your dog on the lawn or in your garden after you have used fertilizers, insecticides, Round-Up, or any other chemical that we naturally spray in our yards. Even though most services say it is OK to let the dogs out after 45 minutes, we always like to wait 3 to 4 hours.  If your dog has come into contact with any chemicals while outside, wipe his paws off immediately.
• Beware of many toxic plants that you might have in your home or growing outside. Azaleas, Oleanders, Privets, Sago Palms, hydrangeas, and Lantanas are just a few of the plants we might find in South Florida that are extremely toxic to our dogs.  Remove these from your garden or home immediately.
• Watch out for many types of garden mulch. Some mulches are made with chocolate which can be harmful to our dogs.  Other mulches could be treated with chemicals to help them last longer or serve as weed or pest abatement.  Look for “all natural, chemical free” mulch at your garden supply store.
• Store poisons and other liquids and powders that you use to kill mice, snails, spiders, roaches, etc. in sealed containers on shelves or cabinets high out of your dog’s reach. Mark them with brightly colored tape so you can easily spot them if you leave them out.
• If you are performing any house maintenance such as painting, wall papering, laying down new floors, etc., be sure to clean up thoroughly after you have stopped working. Paint chips and many materials you use to prepare working surfaces are highly toxic.
• Be extremely careful when you have your dog in the garage. Besides the obvious dangers of paints and other materials on the shelves, you have to watch what might be on the ground, under your car.   If your car is dripping antifreeze, it can be very dangerous for your dog.  They are naturally attracted by the sweet smell and ingesting even a small amount can damage the kidneys and be fatal.
• Do not give your dog any supplement, vitamin, or medicine that is intended for humans. Small amounts of many of these items can be lethal to your dog.  Consult your veterinarian before you even consider “medicating” your dog.

Things to watch for to tell if your dog may have been poisoned:

• Shallow breathing/ shortness of breath.
• Fever
• Change in heart rate
• Change in his eating habits
• Throwing up
• Diarrhea
• Excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth
• Stumbling, loss of direction
• Overly thirsty or unusual lack of appetite
• Violent shaking or tremors
• Highly active or “dead to the world”, unconsciousness

If you think your dog has been poisoned, take them to the Veterinarian immediately.  Take a sample of what you think he as ingested.