It is often difficult to know if your pet has gotten into something that may be potentially dangerous. However, there are certain toxins that you can be aware of beforehand and make all attempts to keep them out of your pet's reach. If you suspect your pet has consumed a poisonous substance, it is crucial that you contact our emergency animal hospital in Missoula for immediate care. Here are some common household toxins to be aware of to prevent toxic ingestion.

Human Foods

It's completely natural for pet parents to want to share a bite of their food with their pet. Unfortunately, some human foods, even a small bite, can be toxic for your pet. Some foods that pets should never eat include:

• Chocolate
• Macadamia nuts
• Grapes
• Raisins
• Xylitol (artificial sweetener)
• Onions
• Garlic

Over-The-Counter Pain Medications

If your pet finds a loose pill that your dropped or knocks over your medication and ingests it, it can be toxic for your pet. It's also important to never give your pet human over-the-counter pain medications.

Rodent Bait

Rodent baits contain a variety of ingredients that are designed to harm the rodents infesting the space, but these baits can have the same effect on pets. Also, if your pet catches a rodent that has consumed bait, it can cause internal injury to your pet. Therefore, it is best to avoid using poisonous baits if you have pets in the home or speak with our veterinarians about properly protecting your pet from ingesting rodent baits. If your pet does ingest a rodent bait, be sure to take the packaging with you to our animal hospital so we can determine the best treatment for your pet.

Chemicals

It's also important that you keep household chemicals, cleaning products, and antifreeze out of your pet's reach. If you suspect your pet may have ingested one of these chemicals, it is critical that you visit us for emergency vet care immediately.

Visit Us for Emergency Vet Care at Our Animal Hospital in Missoula

If you suspect your pet has ingested a poisonous substance, don't hesitate to contact the Pet Emergency Center in Missoula for immediate professional care.