by Trenna Sue Hiler

Created on: August 29, 2008

For many families pets are more than just animal around the house. They are a literal part of the family unit. If this is the case with your pet one of the things you may consider posting in your home is the number to Animal Poison Control Center. The number is 888-426-4435. This is not a free number. There is a consulting fee which is applied to your credit cards.

It's important to do what you can to have a poison free home. Think of it as childproofing your home with a toddler. If you have poisons in your home be sure to keep them away from the pets.

Let's talk about foods. First it is best to feed your animals food that is prepared for them. You may be completely unaware that some of your favorite food may be poison to your pets. Here is list of things that should not be fed to your animals.
*garlic
*products sweetened with xylitol
*onions
*grapes
*raisins
*yeast dough
*moldy or spoiled food
*alcoholic beverages
*fatty foods
*avocado
*macadamia nuts
*chocolate

We all may have been guilty at one time or another, but these are not good for our pets.

Medications are one of the most common calls to the Animal Poison Control Center. Keep your medications where the animals can't get them and do not prescribe human solutions for your pet's health issues. These medications can be especially harmful.
*cold medicines
*pain killers
*vitamins
*diet pills
*antidepressants
*anti-cancer drugs

Plants that may be beautiful in your home may not mix well with your non-human family members. Some plants to avoid are foxglove, lily of the valley, oleander, rhododendron, rosebay, azalea, kalanchoe, mountain laurel, calico bush, lambkill, dog hobble, and dog laurel and fetter bush.

It's essential to have a first aid kit for your pets. Here are some suggestions of things you may wish to have on hand.
*fresh bottle of hydrogen peroxide
*large medical syringe or bulb syringe
*forceps and tweezers
*muzzle
*rubber gloves
*saline eye solution
*mild dish washing liquid

If you need to call animal poison control you want to have thing right things on hand and information they require to help you. This list of information should be updated as the animals have great weight changes and on their birthdays
Your name, address and phone number
The species, breed, sex, age, weight and number of animals involved
The poison that your animal was exposed to
Amount of poison, length of exposure and time since exposure
The symptoms that the animal is displaying now

Be prepared so in an emergency you can be a helpful participant.

Reference:
www.oes.org
www.aspca.org
www.th epetcenter.com

Learn more about this author, Trenna Sue Hiler.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.