National Poison Prevention Week is a great time to find out more about the potential poisons and toxins your pet might get into – let’s keep our pets safe!

In early March the ASPCA^®’s Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) releases its findings about the Top Ten Poisons for the previous year. The top spot again for the most common toxin ingested by pets is over-the-counter medications and supplements. Prescriptions for human medications are in the second spot. Over 35% of the calls received by the APCC are for either OTCs or prescriptions meds.

The other toxins on the Top Ten list for 2018 are:
3. HUMAN FOODS – Approximately 11% of the calls involved food or ingredients such as xylitol, grapes, raisins, onions and garlic.
4. Chocolate
5. Veterinary Medications
6. Household Items
7. Rodenticides (Poisons for mice and rats)
8.  Insecticides
9. Plants – Both indoor and outdoor
10.  Lawn and Garden Products

It is important to poison-proof your home and educate yourself on items that are toxic to pets. As evidenced by the 2018 results all medications need to be kept out-of-reach for your pets. Also, there is an increase in calls in the spring and summer months due to increased outdoor activities and exposure to outside plants, herbicides, fertilizers, and pesticides.

For more information about the 2018 findings from the ASPCA (APCC) –
https://www.aspca.org/news/just-announcing-top-10-toxins-2018

Resources:
ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control 

Pet Poison Helpline 855-764-7661
https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/pet-owners/