What do I do if I think my pet is poisoned?
What if I have an unusual pet or a farm animal?
How can I prevent animal poisonings?
What about giving my pet medications?
Are all animal products safe?
Is it safe to give my pet table scraps?
What should I have in a pet first aid kit?

What do I do if I think my pet is poisoned?

1. Remain calm.
2. Remove animal from danger/remove poison from its reach.
3. Bring container to the phone.
4. Call the poison center at 1-800-222-1222.
5. Be ready to give full name of product, animal type, weight and age.
6. Poison Center staff will tell you what to do for your pet.
   

What if I have an unusual pet or a farm animal?
Although cats and dogs are the most popular pets in the United States, the Poison Center can help all animals. Owners of iguanas, goats, guinea pigs, horses, spiders and even fish have called for poison help.

How can I prevent animal poisonings?
Most dangers for an animal are similar to those for a small child. The following items are of real concern for animals; all of them should be kept out of any animal’s reach:

• Rat/mouse, ant, roach, or slug bait poisons.
• Antifreeze, motor oil or other automotive products (quickly clean up spills).
• Fertilizers & pesticides (keep in original, labeled containers).
• Any medicines (dogs often chew pill containers and cream/ointment tubes).
• Cleaning products (powders and liquids).
• Plants known to be toxic.
• Fumes from nonstick cooking surfaces and self-cleaning ovens (deadly to birds).
• Cedar & soft wood shavings—including pine (small animals).
• Rawhide doggie chews (many have salmonella).
  

What about giving my pet medications?
A few reminders to keep your pet, yourself and others safe when using medications:

• Be careful with pill containers. Pets often find the dropped pill before anyone else.
• Do not leave pills loose on a table or counter.
• If you and your pet both take medications, do not get them out at the same time. It is easy to give your pill to your pet or for you to swallow your pet’s medication.
• Only give pets ‘human’ medication if instructed by a veterinarian.
• If your pet is given incorrect medication or product, call the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.
  

Are all animal products safe?

• Be sure to use the correct product on the correct animal. Do not use a dog product for a cat or vise versa. Always use it for the intended animal.
• Read ALL the directions before using on your pet.
• Call 1-800-222-1222 if your pet is given or exposed to an incorrect product, medication or poison.
  

What should I have in a pet first aid kit?

• Latex gloves & hand wipes
• Unopened bottle of hydrogen peroxide 3% (induce vomiting—call Poison Center first)
• Beef or chicken broth (fluids pet will drink)
• Turkey baster or dosing syringe (give fluids)
• Penlight or flashlight
• Rectal thermometer & lubricating jelly
• A pillowcase (confine small animal)
• Instant hot and cold packs
• Blunt tipped scissors or razor (cut hair)
• Nonstick & water proof adhesive tape
• Sterile gauze pads & bandages
• Splints and tongue depressors
• Stockinette (protect bandage on leg/foot)
• Alcohol swabs
• Antiseptic lotion, powder, or spray
• Grease-cutting dish soap (wash fur, wounds)
• Cotton swabs & cotton balls
• Rubber bulb syringe (eyes, ears, wounds)
• Forceps and/or tweezers
• Styptic liquid (toenail bleeding)
• Antibiotic ointment (wounds)
• Hydrocortisone cream (rashes, itching)

Also have:

• Phone numbers:
  • Poison Center: 1-800-222-1222
  • Veterinarian:______________
  • ER Vet Clinic:_____________
• Paperwork:
  • Rabies vaccination
  • Medical records