{"id":880,"date":"2024-03-14T15:43:39","date_gmt":"2024-03-14T22:43:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sfspca.org\/poison-prevention\/"},"modified":"2025-11-19T09:35:41","modified_gmt":"2025-11-19T17:35:41","slug":"poison-prevention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sfspca.org\/blog\/poison-prevention\/","title":{"rendered":"Poison Prevention"},"content":{"rendered":"

It may be surprising, but many everyday household items can be toxic to our furry family members. The two most common pet toxins are human medications and human food. It\u2019s critical to keep prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines safely stored, and that includes those carried in backpacks or purses. While we may not offer our pets bites from our plates, they are very capable of finding potentially harmful foods on their own, both inside and outside the house. So vigilance is a must.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s under-the-radar items like these that can be overlooked when we think about poison, so here is a list of what to ensure is outside their reach.<\/p>\n

Toxic food for pets<\/h2>\n

Chives, chocolate, currants, xylitol (a sugar substitute often in gum, candy, baked goods, peanut butter, supplements, and vitamins), garlic, grapes, leeks, onions, raisins, scallions, shallots, and yeast.<\/p>\n

Toxic plants for pets<\/h2>\n

Azaleas, lilies, oleander, sago palm, and tulips.<\/p>\n

Toxic products for pets<\/h2>\n

Rodenticides, ethylene glycol (found in many antifreeze products).<\/p>\n

What are the symptoms of poisoning?<\/h2>\n

There is a wide range of symptoms that pets may display in response to ingesting toxins and the symptoms vary by substance. You may see\u00a0vomiting, diarrhea, muscle tremors, lack of coordination, fever, or other signs of distress<\/strong>. In general, if you are concerned your pet may have been exposed to a toxin, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. Time is of the essence.<\/p>\n

What can I do if I think my pet was poisoned?<\/h2>\n