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The ASPCA Poison Control Center recently released a list of the top 10 poisons that affected cats and dogs in 2009. So take note, and be sure keep these toxic substances far away from your pets in 2010!
Human Medicines
Human drugs were the top cause of pet poisoning in 2009, the ASPCA reported. Last year, the Poison Control Center managed more than 45,000 calls from people whose pets had swallowed pills such as pain relievers, cold meds and antidepressants.
Insecticides
One of the most common insecticide problems was misuse of flea and tick products. Make sure to talk to your vet about how to properly use these products.
Human Food
Most people know chocolate is dangerous to dogs. But did you know that grapes, raisins, avocados and products containing xylitol (like sugar-free gum and candy) can also be harmful to your pets?
Plants
Dozens of common houseplants, including azaleas, rhododendrons, sago palm and kalanchoe are dangerous for pets. Lilies are particularly toxic for cats, and can cause deadly kidney failure.
Vet Medicines
Almost 8,000 cases of pet poisonings in 2009 involved pets that were given medicines incorrectly. Make sure you follow instructions and talk to your vet about how to safely apply over-the-counter and prescription medicines for your cat or dog.
Rodent Killer
Poisons that are attractive to mice and rats can also smell tempting to dogs and cats. Be sure to keep your pets away from potentially deadly rodent poisons.
Household Cleaners
Bleaches, detergents and disinfectants can cause serious gastrointestinal and respiratory problems. Keep cabinets locked to prevent your pets from swallowing or sniffing the harmful substances.
Heavy Metals
You know lead poisoning is bad for babies, but it's just as dangerous for your furry friends. Keep your pets away from paint chips, linoleum, and the dust produced when you sand the walls in older homes.
Garden Products
Fertilizers and other garden chemicals can cause severe stomach upset in dogs and cats. So let your dog stop to sniff the roses, but not the fertilizer, please.
Household Chemicals
Our homes often contain a lot of chemical substances, from antifreeze to paint thinner to drain cleaner. Such substances can cause stomach upset, respiratory problems and chemical burns in dogs and cats.
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Avocados are NOT toxic for dogs but for birds. They make a dog food called AVODERM that has avocado for the main ingrediant. This top 10 lists refers to ALL animals not just dogs. Oh and by the way, some of you should proof read what you post before posting.....or spell check?
My german shephard ate avacados all the time because we had a tree. he was the healthiest dog i ever had amd lived until he was 19
I work at a vet clinc as a vet tech and the most common thing we see is kidney failure and thats what people food cause in animals. grapes avocados and such things like that is what were givin and the owners feel sooooo bad because they didnt realize it was affecting there pet. Another thing ... when my mother in law was living with us she would chew sugar free gum (most have xylitol) one of our kittens who was 8 months got ahold of it and ended up passing away about a month later and his necropsey showed how much damage it did to him :(
My dog Rowdy eats at least two avacados a day,,,, 10 years old and in great shape.... he even poaches a few for the family..... dont tell.....
That doesn't mean that avocadoes are safe for every dog though. Don't advocate things like that. Your dog was just lucky.
"did you know that grapes, raisins, avocados and products containing xylitol (like sugar-free gum and candy) can also be harmful to your pets?" Dogs aren't the only pet that people own idiot... my friends cockatoo dropped dead after eating avacado. :(
We live in the middle of an avocado grove. My dogs eat avocados daily. They are extremely healthy and have beautiful coats to show it. You better recheck your facts.
Just like people, food affects each animal differently. Generally grapes, raisins, avocados, chocolate, etc have things in them that are toxic or difficult for dogs/cats to digest. I have heard many stories of dogs eating full plates of brownies, that does not mean chocolate is not toxic to them, it kills many more than can handle it. You are lucky your pets can handle avocados because otherwise they would be dead... it seems you are the one who should have checked the facts before allowing your dogs to eat a potentially toxic food...
I believe it may be the seed of the avocado that is toxic...not sure.
I'd still be careful ... some poisons are cumulative meaning that one time might not do much but keep eating it over time and it can hurt or kill them. Arsenic is one that's like that. So check YOUR facts. You might look into this more if you want to keep your pets healthy ...
Lynn in New Orleans
Ever heard of the dog food AvoDerm, guess what is contains? Avocados! Is it possible this is specific to Cats and not Dogs?
There is a product for your gardens that folks may think is all right to use, but it's NOT if you have pets...it's a chocolate-based mulch. So be careful what you buy!
It's true that some animals (before owners were made aware) have eaten things considered toxic with no apparent ill effects...however, sometimes these things are a hidden problem, i.e. they must build up in the system over time to become serious health issues. So please, err on the side of caution!
I grew up on a citrus ranch in Southern California with lots of avocado trees around our house. Our dog, a German Shepherd mix, used to stand on his hind legs to eat the bottom off of the avocado while it was still hanging on the tree. When he would start eating the avocados we knew they were ripe and ready for picking. The dog lived to a ripe old age (about 15) and we always knew when to start picking avocados just by watching him. Any toxicity issues were totally unknown to us in the late 1940s.
What about the dog food called "Avo-derm," the "avo" being for avocado, the "derm" because it allegedly makes for a healthy coat? Not sure if they're in business anymore, but they at least used to manufacture dog food WITH avocado in it. What exactly does avocado have in it that's supposed to be harmful? I, too, know of many people with avocado trees and dogs, and almost always the dogs gobble up the avocadoes. Never once have I heard of any of them having a problem ..
Avoderm is still in business. Just purchases some the other day.
The Avacado one is bull,I've known many dogs that have ate avacados
and had no problems dogs love avacados.
I have NEVER heard about avacados being bad for dogs. I've been in the Dog Training business for 20 years.I know about all of the other stuff. Could you be mistaken?
My dog is a Labrador Retriever and he loves to eat beans. Beans from the crock-pot. He eats them almost everyday. Sometimes when we fry them he wants to eat along. Is there anything wrong with dogs eating beans, will it harm them. This one gets all his protein from them and is full of energy.
they have a new anti-inflammatory that is flavored like dog treats. my husband and dog went fishing and upon returning home my hubby dropped his backpack on the couch (wrong) and went to bed. yep, ditto could smell those treats through the backpack and the plastic bag they were in and of course he got into them and ate
about 20. he almost died of kidney and other organ failure. we found out the vet had had this happen ONCE BEFORE but didn't mention to be careful because these taste just like dog treats. (i know my husband should have known/vet should have said something.) ditto has to have a shot every month for the rest of his life. but he is alive and well (sort of) today. So be careful if you ever are given these "great tasting medicinal treats"!