The New Holistic Way for Dogs & Cats: The Stress-Health Connection
The New Holistic Way for Dogs & Cats: The Stress-Health ConnectionWelcomeThe New Holistic Way for Dogs & CatsThe Authors - Paul McCutcheon and Susan WeinsteinPet Care ResourcesNewsNew Concepts in Pet CareContact
The New Holistic Way for Dogs & Cats: The Stress-Health Connection
The New Holistic Way for Dogs & Cats: The Stress-Health ConnectionNew ConceptsThe New Holistic Way for Dogs & Cats: The Stress-Health Connection
The New Holistic Way for Dogs & Cats: The Stress-Health Connection
 

Spring Safety for Pets

East York Animal ClinicMost of us look forward to spring. During this season, many of us may start our spring cleaning, planting, de-winterizing campers or cabins, cooking outside and opening swimming pools. Our pets risk exposure to potentially toxic substances resulting from the above activities. Here is a list of the relative toxicity of various spring-time hazards to which your pet may be exposed.

Low toxicity

May cause gastrointestinal upset; however, serious problems are unlikely—unless very large amounts are ingested:

  • Bone meal (not containing any added insecticide or herbicide)
  • Charcoal briquettes (unused, no added lighter fluids), can pose foreign body risk
  • Herbicides containing glyphosate
  • N-P-K fertilizers (not containing any added insecticide or herbicide; iron level < 1%). N-P-K fertilizers contain 3 macronutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K).

Moderate toxicity

May cause significant signs beyond mild gastrointestinal upset:

  • Chocolate
  • Spring blooming bulbs

High toxicity

Potential for very serious or life-threatening signs:

  • Antifreeze
  • Disulfoton (disyston) containing systemic insecticides
  • Easter lilies (very toxic to cats)
  • Pool chemicals
  • Nikethemide (slug bait poison)
  • Open compost bins
  • Racoon latrines (parasites)

If you need emergency advice for a pet that has ingested any potentially harmful products, please consult ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435 (a fee applies) or www.aspca.org/apcc.