March is Poison Prevention Awareness Month. I, perhaps, should have posted this earlier in the month, but when it comes to protecting your family from exposure to poison the best time is now!
Poison Prevention Awareness Month, from what I’ve seen, seems to be mostly geared around raising awareness about how to protect children from dangerous substances. Things you may not normally think of as poisonous, such as common household cleaners, medications, and batteries, can all prove deadly. I don’t have children, at least not any of the human variety. Because my 7-year-old Alaskan Klee Kai, Fenrir, is convinced that he’s still a 6-month-old puppy, making sure I keep my home pet-proofed is important. Animals can’t speak for themselves, and they don’t always make the best decisions when it comes to deciding what qualifies as food/toys and what should be left alone. It’s important for pet parents to be aware of the potential dangers lurking in their homes, and do their best to protect their furry friends from coming into contact with poisons.
It would be awesome if every potential poison came with a warning label, but unfortunately, most of them don’t. When it comes to pets, everything from certain foods (like grapes, and chewing gum, for example), to plants can be dangerous.
With so many potential dangers, pet parents have to stay vigilant. Learn all you can about what items could be dangerous to your pets, which may vary depending on what species he/she is. Just in case, select an emergency vet that’s close to your home before you ever actually need one, and keep their contact information somewhere accessible. Emergencies are stressful, and on top of dealing with a sick pet you don’t want to have to scramble to find a vet.
Besides keeping the contact information of a local emergency vet clinic handy, you should also know the number for Animal Poison Control ((888) 426-4435). Calling isn’t free, but it’s open 24/7 and the advice can prove invaluable in an emergency.
Have you ever had to deal with a situation where your pet came into contact with something poisonous? Comment below!
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