Most Common Pet Poisons - According to ASPCA
Top Toxins Dogs and Cat Toxins Are Rat Poison, Medicine, Insecticide
Jan 6, 2009
On January 2, 2008, the American Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) released its annual list, "The Top 10 Pet Poisons of 2008."
So what are the most common cat and dog poisons that sicken pets? The list of toxic items for pets includes toxic plants, toxic foods, toxic medications and toxic chemicals.
Top Pet Toxin of 2008: Medications
In 2008, human medications like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, decongestants, cold medicines and anti-depressants topped the ASPCA's list of most common pet poisons.
In 2008 alone, the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center received 50,000 calls from concerned dog and cat owners with a pet that had ingested a human medication.
“Keep all medications in a cabinet,” advised Dr. Helen Myers, veterinary toxicologist at the ASPCA.
Second and Fourth Most Common Pet Toxins: Insecticides and Rodent Bait (i.e. Rat Poison)
The ASPCA Poison Control Hotline received 39,000 calls from owners of pets who were exposed to ant baits, slug bait, and rodent bait. Insecticide sprays, rodenticide baits like mouse and rat poison are all potentially deadly to pets, who are attracted to the toxins due to the smell.
Also, a rat or mouse who dies from eating rat poison could end up in the pet's home or yard when these products are used, and if the cat or dog eats the poisoned animal, this could transfer the potentially deadly warfarin rat poison and other chemicals to the pet's body, causing hemorrhoraging and even death.
Included in this category are flea and tick products that can poison a cat when the feline grooms. For this reason, ASPCA experts say that only products intended for the particular pet should be used; using dog products on a cat can be downright deadly.
A Deadly Yet Common Pet Poison: "People" Food
Not all foods are safe for a cat or dog; in fact, some foods can be toxic to pets. The ASPCA Pet Poison Control Hotline received 13,500 calls from owners of dogs and cats who ate "people food."
More than half of the toxic food cases involved dogs who ate chocolate, which is toxic to dogs due to its theobromine content. Baker's cocoa is the most toxic chocolate to dogs. Other foods that are toxic to pets include citrus, onions, avocado, raisins, grapes, chewing gum and sugarless candies containing xylitol, caffeine, walnuts, macadamia nuts, and mushrooms, among many others.
Pet Poisons Growing in Your Home and Yard: Toxic Plants to Pets
The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center received 6,300 calls concerning toxic plants and pets.
Many household plants are toxic to cats and dogs, so before bringing any plants into the house or planting any new plants in the yard, dog and cat owners should check a list of toxic plants (see related link below) to verify that the plant is safe for pets.
Some toxic plants can cause serious gastrointestinal upset like vomiting and diarrhea, while other plants can be downright deadly, so it's important that pet owners understand what plants should be avoided.
A Prescription for Poisoning: Veterinary Medications
Veterinary medications are the fourth most common pet poison, with the ASPCA Poison Control hotline receiving 8,000 calls from owners of cats and dogs who overdosed on pet medication, pets who were given a pet medication incorrectly, or pets who were given the wrong medication.
According to the ASPCA, some of the most common animal-related preparations that are involved in the pet poisoning incidents include "non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, heartworm preventatives, de-wormers, antibiotics, vaccines and nutritional supplements."
Other Pet Poisons on the Top 10 List of Pet Toxins
In addition to the aforementioned substances, the ASPCA's top 10 list of poisons includes:
- Household Chemicals (7,500 cases) - Ethylene glycol antifreeze, paint thinner, drain cleaners and pool/spa chemicals
- Household Cleaners (4,000 cases) - Common cleaning agents like bleache, detergents and disinfectants
- Heavy Metals - (3,000 cases) - Mercury, zinc and lead, which is contained in consumer products and household items like paint chips, linoleum, and lead dust that's produced when surfaces in older homes are scraped or sanded.
- Fertilizer (2,000 cases) - Lawn fertilizer and plant fertilizers
More Information on Pet Poisons and Toxins
Looking for more information on what foods, chemicals and medications are toxic to cats and dogs? Check out the Pet Poisoning Page, with articles including Toxic Foods for Dogs and How to Avoid Xylitol Poisoning in Dogs.
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