07/19/2026
Toxicity in Pets 💊
PSA for Pet Owners
This year, much like every year, we unfortunately see and treat cases of medication toxicity in pets. Exposure can occur in more than one way (inhaling smoke or vapors, skin/fur contact, ingestion, etc).
Primarily, we deal with pets that have ingested a toxic substance or consumed a large quantity of a substance, which causes toxicity.
How does this happen? Pets are curious creatures and become exposed to a potential toxicant/toxin or other dangerous material while investigating and exploring.
What can cause toxicity in my pet?
Many things!
💊Over-the-counter medications such as:
Ibuprofen (Motrin®️ / Advil®️)
Acetaminophen ( Tylenol®️/ Excedrin®️)
Naproxen (Aleve®️) and many more
These can cause dangerous GI ulceration, internal bleeding, kidney/liver damage, and may lead to death
🫙🥼Human Prescriptions such as:
Sleeping aids, blood pressure medications, anti-depressants, anti-psychotics, pain medications, etc can cause a wide variety dangerous symptoms in pets ranging from dangerous drops in blood pressure, seizures, organ damage, and death.
🐕🐈Pet prescriptions:
While pet prescriptions are FOR pets, consuming large quantities or accidental exposure to a different pet or species medication can cause negative effects. These can be dangerous!
💉🌱Recreational Drugs such as:
Ma*****na, "shrooms", crack/cocaine, methamphetamine, etc pose great risk to pets. Failure to divulge what drug a pet was exposed to can delay the pet from receiving the specific care it needs.
If your pet is ever exposed to a recreational drug, please be upfront with your veterinarian. We are not judging you, we only want to provide your pet the help it needs.
🧄🥑🍫Food toxins:
Some foods contain compounds that can cause toxicity in pets. Dark chocolate, cocoa, garlic, onions, avocado, xylitol, and more can cause a variety of negative health impacts, which if severe, may lead to death.
🐁Rodenticides such as:
d.CON®️, TOMCAT®️, and other brands
(Rat bait, mole bait, etc) can cause severe neurological and/or internal bleeding if ingested. If you suspect your pet may have been exposed, please contact your veterinarian promptly and bring the packaging of the product with you.
💐🍁Plant toxicity
There are many plants that can pose danger to pets as well.
Lilies, Azalea, Poinsettia, black walnut, Lily of the Valley, and many, many more.
Symptoms can range from GI upset with vomiting and diarrhea, to organ damage, and potential death.
What can pet owners do?
1) Keep ALL medications (pet/human/recreational) out of reach from your pets
2)Be aware of potential toxicants in your yard and around your home. Don't use rodenticides anywhere near where your pet can access. If you're visiting another property with your pet, ask the property owner if there is rat bait on the property and don't leave your pet to explore unsupervised.
3) Be aware of potential foods that can cause toxicity and keep them out of reach from your pets.
4) Know what plants and flowers are in your yard and determine if they may pose a health risk to your pet. There are many phone apps and search tools to help identify a plant or flower.
5) Call the Pet poison control hotline and your veterinarian if your pet has ingested a medication or had an exposure to a potential toxicant.
https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/
https://www.aspcapro.org/topics/aspca-poison-control-and-toxicology
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets
24/7 Animal Poison Control Center for both Pet Owners and Veterinarians. If your dog, cat, or other pet is poisoned, call 855-764-7661
