What's Poisonous to Dogs?

My vet thinks dogs will eat virtually anything. Their noses may be capable of astounding detection, but most of the species lack the ability to distinguish between good and bad comestibles. A blog reader recently sent this link to a scary story about a dog who ingested rat poison, without it's owner knowing about it. I had flashbacks to a day many years ago when I realized my Jack Russell had just eaten rat poison at the horse farm where I worked. A call to the local vet guided me to feed her a teaspoon of salt, which I did and she immediately threw up the poison and the salt. I don't think salt is good for dogs, but it worked in that situation and my dog never showed any ill effects.

Rat poison is an obvious no no, but the list of things that are toxic to dogs is long and not always obvious. I think it's safe to assume that most of the concoctions we keep under our sinks and in our garages and sheds, should be kept away from our pets. The medicine cabinet contents should also be off limits. The ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center's list of the top ten poisonous substances include human painkillers, cold medications, antidepressants and dietary supplements. Some foods that sit benignly in a person's stomach may be toxic to animals. Raisins, apple seeds, onions and walnuts are a few things you don't want to leave on the floor for the Hoover's of the dog world to suck up. As far as plants go, there are so many on the poison list, you might as well assume most of what's in your yard and house needs to be kept out of your pet's mouth. Toxic plants include such common species as caladium, english ivy, azalea and philodendren. The Humane Society of the United States provides a list of poisonous plants and foods.

Then, there's the things they eat that don't seem at all appealing like plastic, latex and metal. Zinc is highly toxic to dogs. The zinc in one penny can kill a dog.
The American Veterinary Medical Association offers a brochure online and in print titled "What You Should Know About Household Hazards". It's a handy reference to keep in your pet's first aid kit. APCC provides advice on prevention and what to do if you think your animal has been poisoned, along with a venue for pet owners to ask questions. They also have a hotline to call if you suspect your pet has eaten something toxic. There is a $60 consultation fee for that call, but it's worth it when the clock is ticking and your pet's life is at stake. When you investigate all that your dog could possibly eat that's harmful to them, it seems like a daunting task to keep them safe. I have one dog that uses common sense and discernment about what she puts in her mouth (Ella), and another who eats first, suffers later (Hobbit). Keeping phone numbers to our vet, after hours clinics, and poison control near at hand are essential in our house.