Every March, Pet Poison Prevention Month serves as a reminder that common household items can be life-threatening for pets.

At Red Bank Veterinary Hospital Hillsborough, our emergency and internal medicine services know firsthand how quickly a toxin exposure can become critical. Fortunately, many of these situations are preventable. Here is the information pet owners need to know about common toxins, what to do if a pet is exposed, and how to prevent toxin-related accidents.

Common pet toxins that may be hiding in your home

Recognizing and removing possible toxins is the first step toward protecting your pet. How many of these are hiding in your home?

Foods

• Chocolate

• Grapes and raisins

• Macadamia nuts

• Alcohol and caffeine

• Onions and leeks

• Products containing xylitol

• Yeast dough

Medications

Medication ingestion is one of the most common reasons pets are rushed to the emergency hospital. This includes common human medications, such as:

• Pain relievers (ibuprofen, naproxen, acetaminophen)

• Antidepressants and ADHD medications

• Sleep aids

• Blood pressure medications

• Vitamins and supplements

Pets can also get into veterinary medications, such as:

• Flavored tablets (including NSAID pain relievers)

• Parasite preventives

• Joint supplements

Household products and chemicals

These products can cause illness or irritation through ingestion or direct skin contact.

• Cleaning solutions

• Laundry detergent pods

• Antifreeze and other products containing ethylene glycol

• Paint thinner

• Rodent bait

• Fertilizers and pesticides, including slug bait

Plants

Floral arrangements and indoor and outdoor plants can cause serious illness if pets chew or ingest them. Toxic varieties include:

• Lilies (extremely dangerous for cats)

• Sago palm

• Oleander

• Holly and yew

• Azalea and rhododendron

In many cases, sampling only a small part of the plant, such as the leaves or stem, or even the vase water, is enough to cause toxicity.

Signs of pet poisoning

Depending on the toxin, signs of pet poisoning can appear within hours or days of ingestion. Staying aware of your pet’s activity and their normal behavior can help you recognize potential exposure and take quick action.

Seek emergency care if your pet’s signs include:

• Repeated vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Drooling

• Racing heart rate

• Rapid breathing

• Lethargy

• Tremors or seizures

• Difficulty breathing

• Appetite loss

• Bleeding

• Weakness or collapse

• Unusual behavior such as anxiousness, restlessness, or dullness

If you know your pet consumed a toxin, don’t wait until signs appear. Early veterinary care and decontamination can prevent or lessen the severity of toxin-related complications.

Action plan: What to do if your pet is poisoned

Whether you caught your pet in the act or after the fact, a fast response can save their life. Here’s what to do, step by step.

#1: Remove access to the toxin

Take your pet to a secure space such as a crate or closed room.

#2: Gather product packaging or information

If possible, estimate how much of the product your pet ate and collect any remaining packaging.

#3: Call or come to our emergency department

If your pet is acting normally, call our team to discuss your pet’s ingestion. Share any details, including the product name, how much they ate, and when, if known. Our team will tell you whether to come in or how to provide treatment at home.

If your pet is sick or unresponsive, bring them in immediately for emergency care.

#4: Do not induce vomiting unless told to do so

Some toxins are corrosive and can cause more injury to your pet if you make them vomit.

If you are out of town with your pet, the ASPCA Poison Control hotline is a 24/7/365 resource for poison-related emergencies.

Expert care and support for pet toxin ingestion

Our emergency and internal medicine services provide timely, targeted care following pet poison ingestion. Although protocols are different for some toxins, standard care may include:

• Assessment: Triage is a rapid evaluation of your pet’s health and status.

• Stabilization: Critical pets require immediate stabilization, including intravenous access (IV), fluids, medications, seizure control, and oxygen support.

• Decontamination: This includes efforts to remove toxins through emesis (vomiting) or adsorption with activated charcoal, to prevent further toxicity.

• Monitoring: After pets are stabilized, close observation and regular monitoring of vital signs and blood work ensure treatment is effective.

• Hospitalized care: Round-the-clock care is often necessary for pets in critical condition, at risk of decompensating, or needing close observation.

• Long-term support: Internal medicine specialists provide support for pets with complex or delayed toxin effects, such as kidney, liver, or nervous system damage.

While many pets are hospitalized, others may be discharged after receiving outpatient care.

How to prevent pet poisoning

Protecting your pet means minimizing exposure risk. This includes:

• Checking food labels for harmful ingredients

• Securing household products and cleaners in a closed cabinet

• Keeping trash bins securely latched or behind a closed door

• Removing loose medications from countertops and bedside tables

• Cleaning antifreeze spills immediately and disposing of used rags

• Replacing insecticide, rodenticide, and fertilizer with pet-safe alternatives

• Staying vigilant for potential hazards in new environments (e.g., hotels, garages, parking lots, and parks)

Exceptional specialty and emergency care for the unexpected

Your pet depends on you to keep them safe, even from everyday hazards in your home. By understanding the risks of common household items, recognizing signs of pet poisoning, and knowing when to seek care at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital Hillsborough, you can help protect your pet’s health and enjoy greater peace of mind.

Is your pet having an emergency? Walk-ins are always welcome at our 24/7 emergency and critical care center. Please call ahead, if possible, so we can prepare for your pet’s arrival.