KEEPING YOUR PETS SAFE AT HOME

Of the more than 167,000 calls handled by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center each year, more than 90 percent of the cases involve accidental poisoning. The first line of defense for protecting pets is knowing which substances pose the biggest threats to your pet's health. Here are some key culprits.

MEDICATIONS. Both over-the-counter and prescription human medications can be toxic to pets. Overdoses of pet medications can also pose problems. Since dogs can chew through plastic containers, make sure that medications are stored out of reach of pets. Storing them in a locked cabinet is the best option. When deciding where to store medications take into account how high your pet can climb or jump.

INSECTICIDES. If you use insecticides, keep pets out of the area until the spray is dry and odorless. Drying times vary widely, so be sure to follow label instructions.

RODENTICIDES. Rodent killers can be fatal to pets. Rodenticide poisoning can cause lethargy, internal bleeding, seizure, kidney failure and sudden death, so it is crucial to keep your pets away. If your pet has ingested a rodenticide, take your pet to the veterinarian right away. Make sure you bring the box of the rodenticide with you.

HOUSEHOLD CLEANERS. Several types of household cleaners are toxic to pets. Make sure that floor cleaners are pet-friendly. High PH cleaners like drain openers and oven cleaners are toxic to pets.

LAWN-CARE PRODUCTS. Pets need to be kept out of the yard while you are applying fertilizer to your lawn. Generally, wait until sprays are dry or granules have been watered in and are dry before letting your pet out. While not as toxic as chocolate, cocoa bean shell mulch can cause milder versions of the same symptoms as chocolate ingestion, such as vomiting and diarrhea.

OTHER HAZARDS. Other seemingly innocuous items can be hazardous to your pets. Artificial fire logs can cause vomiting and possible foreign-body obstructions. Hair relaxers and alkaline batteries pose the same hazard as high PH cleaners. Antifreeze is one of the most potent toxins in the average household. Several foods and plants can be toxic to your pet. Visit www.animalmedicalcenterfla.com/articles for a complete list of poisonous foods and plants.