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PET HEALTH

Common Household Poisons 

4 min read Jan 25, 2022
by
MetLife Pet Insurance

March is the time of year where we start thinking about spring cleaning! Maybe that’s why the third week of March has been dubbed Poison Prevention Awareness Week. No matter the reason, it is our duty as pet parents to follow  useful tips and reminders for keeping your pets safe.

Here is a short list of the top common poison dangers:

Foods

  • Alcoholic beverages - fun for you but not your pets
  • Avocado - trendy and delicious for humans, not your furry family members
  • Chocolate - a nice indulgence for you but not a good treat for a dog or cat
  • Coffee - extra energy for you, but your pets don’t need the caffeine
  • Macadamia nuts – a great snack to have on hand but keep this one away from your pets
  • Onions - good for a nice sautéed flavor, not good for your dog or cat’s belly
  • Raisins and grapes – wonderful additions to your salad, not a good garnish for sharing

Human Medications

  • Pseudoephedrine is a common ingredient in over the counter cold and flu medicine. It can cause increased stimulation to the nervous and cardiovascular systems. ASPCA has all of the information you need about Pseudoephedrine! If you purchased medicine or have a prescription drug, keep it sealed and away from your pets!

Pet Medications

  • Even though the medicine has been prescribed to your dog or cat by your veterinarian, make sure to follow the directions! Do not give your pet more than their daily dose or give your dog the cat’s prescription and vice versa. Some medicine works for cats but could harm your dog. Always call your vet with any questions or concerns.

Household Items

  • Dishwasher tablets, steel wool sponges/cleaning pads, and degreasers can cause intestinal issues if a pet consumes them.
  • Dryer sheets, detergent, and stain removers aren’t good for anyone to digest! Keep them sealed or in a cabinet. Consider baby proofing the cabinet if your laundry room is a high traffic area for your pet!
  • Flowers (inside the home and outside the home) can be potentially fatal. Do your research before decorating and landscaping.

Consider Investing in Pet Insurance 

Looking for more ways to keep your pets happy and healthy? Consider investing in a pet insurance policy with MetLife Pet Insurance.1  We offer dog insurance and cat insurance policies for furry family members.  Get your free quote today. 

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Nothing in this article should be construed as financial, legal or veterinary advice. Please consult your own advisors for questions relating to your and your pet’s specific circumstances. 

1 Pet Insurance offered by MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC is underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company (“IAIC”), a Delaware insurance company, headquartered at 485 Madison Avenue, NY, NY 10022, and Metropolitan General Insurance Company (“MetGen”), a Rhode Island insurance company, headquartered at 700 Quaker Lane, Warwick, RI 02886, in those states where MetGen’s policies are available. MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC is the policy administrator authorized by IAIC and MetGen to offer and administer pet insurance policies. MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC was previously known as PetFirst Healthcare, LLC and in some states continues to operate under that name pending approval of its application for a name change. The entity may operate under an alternate, assumed, and/or fictitious name in certain jurisdictions as approved, including MetLife Pet Insurance Services LLC (New York and Minnesota), MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions Agency LLC (Illinois), and such other alternate, assumed, or fictitious names approved by certain jurisdictions.