Monthly Tip

Poisonous plants are just one consideration if you have outdoor pets. There are several more serious threats to dogs, cats, chickens, and other family pets. At the top of the list are other critters; curious pets are often stung on the face by wasps and bees. Fertilizer is one of the many substances that can poison a pet; it can be ingested while still in the bag or after being freshly applied to the garden. Weed killers (herbicides), which are also included in some fertilizers, can cause acute or chronic symptoms ranging from lethargy or vomiting to cancer and death. Rat poisons (rodenticides) usually take a few days to take effect and in the meantime the sickened rodents can be eaten by cats or owls and other natural predators which could otherwise help control the population. All pesticides are designed to kill; it’s just a matter of dosage. The toxic chemical could be the active ingredient or it could be a filler, and the latter are not required to be listed on the label. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center phone number is (888) 426-4435.

 

More Information: Pets and Toxic Plants (UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine)