If you have a puppy, it鈥檚 a good idea to educate yourself about their future needs. This includes听being prepared to protect puppies听against the most common dog poisons located in and around every home.听听
Human Medications听
Consuming prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) is a common cause of accidental poisonings in dogs. The OTC medications that cause the most pet poisonings include听vitamins, ibuprofen, herbal supplements,听and听cold medicines.听Human prescriptions,听such as antidepressants and heart medications,听are听also extremely听common.
Often, puppies get into听medications听when they are left in lower cabinets or pills are dropped on the floor. Putting medications up high and keeping puppies out of the room when pills are being taken are good preventative steps to keep dogs from accidentally eating听something they shouldn鈥檛.
Talk to your vet before giving your puppy any medications, and work on teaching your pet the 鈥渓eave it鈥� command in case they spot any spilled medication.
Rodenticides and Insecticides听
Many homeowners use rodenticides and insecticides in the home or around the yard to eliminate pests. These come in听several forms, such as sprays, baited traps, or topical products. Only use these products according to the directions on the听label,听and听keep puppies away from treated areas听for the recommended time to keep them safe.
Even if you choose not to use these poisons around your home, neighbors and friends might use them on their properties. It鈥檚 important to keep a close eye on puppies when they鈥檙e playing outside or during to ensure they don鈥檛 come across these toxins.听
Pet Medications听
Some dogs don鈥檛 mind taking veterinarian-prescribed chewable medicine because it is flavored to be more appealing. This is great when you鈥檙e trying to administer medications as prescribed but听can be fatal if a puppy locates the bottle and decides to听ingest听everything in it.
Keep pet medications out of reach of curious puppies and only give the veterinarian-recommended dose for that specific puppy. Giving doses of听medication based on what other dogs have been prescribed in the past can be dangerous.
Human听Food听
As puppies get older, they often learn that the kitchen and dining room offer prime opportunities for begging.听New puppy owners might not know better than to encourage begging by sharing human food with their dog.
There are some safe human foods that dogs can eat听as high-value treats. However,听there are also听dangerous foods for dogs听that can cause a pup to become extremely ill.听Two of the most common foods that cause pet poisonings are chocolate and xylitol.听
- Chocolate 鈥撎�Chocolate is one of the most dangerous foods that a puppy can consume, as it contains caffeine and theobromine,听both of which听stimulate a dog鈥檚 nervous听system.听The听amount and type of chocolate听eaten听are major factors in how sick a dog may become. If a puppy is suspected of having eaten chocolate, they should be taken to the veterinarian听right away.听听
- Xylitol 鈥撎�Xylitol听can be found in sugar-free gum, peanut butter, candy,听and even some baked goods. When a dog consumes xylitol, the dog鈥檚 pancreas releases a massive amount of insulin,听which results in a decrease in the level of blood sugar in the body, also known as hypoglycemia. Xylitol can also cause liver failure if eaten in high quantities.听A trip to the vet is recommended if a puppy is suspected to have eaten an item containing xylitol and is exhibiting symptoms like , weakness, or diarrhea.听
Household Products
Household cleaning products can contain ingredients that are not safe for dogs. If possible, try to use non-toxic products, and always use cleaning supplies听per the label鈥檚 instructions.
Dishwashing detergent, fabric softener, bleach, window cleaner, and bathroom cleaners should all be stored in locked cabinets or up high out of reach of pets. When cleaning, keep puppies out of the room so they aren鈥檛 exposed to drying chemicals or vapors.听
Gardens and Lawn Products听
A puppy鈥檚 first trip outside is an exciting one! Introducing them to grass, sunshine, and the smells that come with the great outdoors can be so much听fun. But be sure that, once they start exploring their environment, they aren鈥檛 running into any poisons or other hazards. Teaching pet owners the benefits of听maintaining听a听dog-friendly yard听can save your puppies a lot of trouble down the听road, but听be sure your yard is a safe place as well.听
- Plants听鈥� It鈥檚 easy to forget that you鈥檝e planted some new flowers along the fence line, but a curious puppy may stop to munch on leaves. Be sure never to use poisonous plants in the areas of your yard that dogs or puppies may听come into contact with.听
- Lawn products听鈥� Fertilizers and weed killers can听include chemicals that are dangerous to puppies. Read the instructions of lawn products to determine how long dogs should remain off the treated areas. Don鈥檛 leave lawn products unattended where a dog or puppy听could get into them.听听
- Mulch听鈥� While mulch may be a nice way to keep a yard looking fresh, be sure to choose mulch that won鈥檛 be harmful if accidentally consumed by a puppy. Some mulches, such as cocoa mulch, are poisonous to dogs when eaten.听
Suspected Poisoning?听
If a pet owner notices a puppy experiencing听, they should take the puppy to their veterinarian or call the听听immediately. The sooner that a puppy is treated for an accidental poisoning, the better the chances of a positive outcome.听听
This article is intended solely as general guidance, and does not constitute health or other professional advice. Individual situations and applicable laws vary by jurisdiction, and you are encouraged to obtain appropriate advice from qualified professionals in the applicable jurisdictions. We make no representations or warranties concerning any course of action taken by any person following or otherwise using the information offered or provided in this article, including any such information associated with and provided in connection with third-party products, and we will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary or other damages that may result, including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness or death.