News

Springtime Safety

Springtime is here, but the gentle season could prove to be not so kind to curious pets and unknowing pet owners.

A host of risks present themselves to dogs, cats and other companion animals, and pet parents should be able to identify these potential harms in order to keep the spring days bright, sunny, and fun for all.

The list of toxic, common household items might surprise even the most veteran, conscientious owners.

Lilies, sago palm, azalea, rhododendron, tulips, daffodils and chrysanthemums are all toxic for pets. If a cat, in particular, ingests just bit of a lily, it could lead to kidney failure. Keeping indoor plants and flowers at hard-to-reach distances could be one solution, but just to be safe, owners may want to abstain from planting these and a few other flora all together.

The ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) received approximately 7,858 calls in 2009 reporting ingestion of one of the aforementioned plants and flowers. That number was out of the 195,000 calls the APCC received in total last year.
And with Easter right around the corner, people should be wary of Easter lilies, in particular, but also things like chocolate, macadamia nuts, grapes and raisins and the fake grass at the bottom of Easter baskets which could cause an obstruction in their intestines and put a pet into the hospital.

As owners venture outside more to beautify their gardens and treat their hard, dried land, they should also remain aware of the harm that certain types of fertilizer and garden products can inflict on their outdoor pets. Last year, the ASPCA responded to 2,329 calls related to fertilizer exposure, which can cause gastrointestinal obstruction and "severe gastric upset."

Consuming flower bulbs, in particular, could result in a painful, unpleasant experience for both pets and their concerned owners.

* Article courtesy of zootoo.com