By: Lisa Lee

March is designated as Pet Poison Prevention Awareness Month.  Keep you pets safe by understanding what is harmful to your pets, both inside and outside the home.  According to the Pet Poison Helpline, the following most common toxins that the Helpline gets called about are:

Dogs:     Chocolate (dark chocolate is the most dangerous), Mouse and Rat Poisons, Vitamins and Minerals (e.g. Vitamin D3, Iron, etc.), NSAIDS (Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Etc.), Cardiac Medications, Cold and Allergy Medications, Antidepressants, Xylitol (common in toothpaste, gum and peanut butter – read your labels!), Acetaminophen and Caffeine Pills.

**Only 16 percent of calls were for dogs that helped themselves to human food such as chocolate, raisins, grapes, macadamia nuts, garlic, onions, yeast-based dough and table salt.

Cats:      Topical spot-on insecticides, Household Cleaners, Antidepressants, Lilies, Insoluble Oxalate Plants (Philodendron, etc.), Human and Veterinary NSAIDs, Cold and Flu Medication, Glow Sticks, ADD/ADHD Medications, Mouse and Rat Poison.

When in doubt, call the Pet Poison Helpline 24/7 at the Pet Poison Helpline (800) 213-6680.