Pets tend to be curious, especially certain dogs. They will try to eat just about anything they can reach. This makes them susceptible to toxic ingestion. Cats are also curious but often are much more finicky when it comes to what they will eat. Our veterinarians at Cashua Veterinary Care in Florence are trained to deal with emergencies and urgent situations when your pet eats something toxic.

Toxic Household Items

Some items in your household are toxic by their nature. Rat poison, cleaning solutions, and antifreeze are a few examples and they should be kept safely out of the way of your pets. If any of these products are spilled they should be cleaned up immediately. Antifreeze in particular has a sweet taste and may be attractive to pets. If they get into any of these things, you need to see an emergency vet immediately.

Foods

Pets tend to want to share food with their human family. This can be a very bad idea. Some food for humans is toxic to pets and can lead to their death. Some common foods to consider include:

Xylitol - This artificial sweetener can be fatal depending on the amount ingested. It is bad for dogs but doesn't seem to affect cats.

Chocolate - Try to keep your pets away from chocolate. Dark baked chocolate is more toxic than milk chocolate, but in general, no chocolate is the best policy.

Grapes and raisins - This surprises most people, but these are dangerous foods and can cause kidney failure.

Onions and garlic - These are also toxic for pets. Keep in mind that even if they are cooked into food like pasta sauce, it doesn't lessen the toxicity.

Plants

Many household plants and flowers are toxic to pets. While only a few are toxic enough to kill them, many require an urgent care visit due to address gastrointestinal issues. Watch out for:

• Amaryllis
• Azaleas
• Rhododendrons
• Chrysanthemum
• Daisy
• Daffodils
• Jade plant
• Holly
• Bittersweet
• English ivy
• Lilies
• Tulip
• Poinsettia

Contact Our Veterinarians in Florence, SC

If you are looking for a veterinarian in Florence, Cashua Veterinary Care offers both routine and emergency veterinary care. We are here to help when your furry friend gets into something it shouldn’t. Call our team today at 843-407-9020 or reach us through our website by using our online contact form for non-emergencies.