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1. Be aware of the plants you have in your house and yard. The ingestion of a poisonous plant can be fatal.


2. When using rat or mouse baits, ant, fly, or roach traps, or snail and slug baits, place them in inaccessible areas. Most baits contain sweet-smelling, inert ingredients, such as jelly, peanut butter, and sugars, which can be very attractive to your dog.


3. Never give your dog any medications unless under the directions of a veterinarian. Many medications that are used safely in humans can be deadly when used inappropriately.


4. Keep all prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs out of the reach of your dog, preferably in closed cabinets. Painkillers, cold medicines, anti-cancer drugs, antidepressants, vitamins, and diet pills are common examples of human medications that could be potentially lethal, even in small dosages.


5. Never leave chocolates unattended. Approximately one half ounce or less of baking chocolate per pound of body weight can cause problems. Even small amounts can cause pancreatic problems.


6. Many common household items have been shown to be lethal in certain species. Miscellaneous items that are highly toxic even in low quantities include pennies (high concentration of zinc), mothballs (contains naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene - one or two balls can be life-threatening in most species), potpourri oils, fabric softener sheets, automatic dish detergents (contain cationic detergents which could cause corrosive lesions), batteries (contain acids or alkali which can also cause corrosive lesions), homemade play dough (contains high quantity of salt), winter heat source agents like hand or foot warmers (contain high levels of iron), cigarettes, coffee grounds, and alcoholic drinks.


7. All automotive products, such as oil, gasoline, and antifreeze should be stored and disposed of properly.


8. Before buying or using flea products on your dog or in your household, contact your veterinarian to discuss what types of flea products are recommended. Be sure to read ALL information before using a product and always follow label instructions. When a product is labeled "for use in dogs only" this means that the product should NEVER be applied to cats. Also, when using a fogger or a house spray, make sure to remove all pets from the area for the time period specified on the container. If you are uncertain about the usage of any product, contact the manufacturer or your veterinarian to clarify the directions BEFORE use of the product.


9. When treating your lawn or garden with fertilizers, herbicides, or insecticides, always keep your animals away from the area until the area dries completely. It's a good idea to discuss usage of products with the manufacturer of the products to be used and store such products in an area where pets can't be exposed.

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Reprinted with permission by Ralston Purina Canada

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