ASPCA NATIONAL ANIMAL POISON CONTROL CENTER
1717 Philo Road, Suite #36
Urbana, IL   61801
(217) 337-5030

Dr. Jill Richardson
Veterinary Poison Information Specialist
ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center
December 9, 1997
http://www.napcc.aspca.org/

Contents

Ten Tips for a Poison-Safe Household LIST OF POISONOUS PLANTS


Ten Tips for a Poison-Safe Household
1.Be aware of the plants you have in your house and  in your pet's yard. The
     ingestion of azalea, oleander, mistletoe, sago palm, easter lily, or yew plant material, by an
     animal, could be fatal.

2.When cleaning your house, never allow your pet access to the area where
     cleaning agents are used or stored. Cleaning agents have a variety of
     properties.  Some may only cause a mild stomach upset, while others could
     cause severe burns of the tongue, mouth, and stomach.

3.When using rat or mouse baits, ant or roach traps, or snail and slug baits,
     place the products in areas that are inaccessible to your animals. Most baits
     contain sweet smelling inert ingredients, such as jelly, peanut butter, and
     sugars, which can be very attracting to your pet.

 4.Never give your animal any medications unless under the directions of
     veterinarian. Many medications that are used safely in humans can be deadly
     when used inappropriately.  One extra strength acetominophen tablet (500mg)
     can kill  a 7lbs cat.

 5.Keep all prescription an over the counter drugs out of reach of your pets, preferably in
     closed cabinets.   Pain killers, cold medicines, anti-cancer drugs, antidepressants, vitamins,
     and diet  pills are common examples of human medication that could be potentially
     lethal even in small dosages. One regular strength ibuprofen (200mg) could
     cause stomach ulcers in a 10lb dog.

6.Never leave chocolates unattended. Approximately one half ounce or less of
      baking chocolate per pound body weight can cause problems.  Even small
      amounts can cause pancreatic problems.

7.Many common household items have been shown to be lethal in certain
     species.  Miscellaneous items that are highly toxic even
     in low quantities include pennies(high concentration of zinc), mothballs
     (contain naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene- one or two balls can be life
     threatening in most species),potpourri oils, fabric softener sheets,
     automatic dish detergents (contain cationic detergents which could cause
     corrosive lesions), batteries (contain acids or alkali which can also cause
     corrosive lesions), homemade play dough (contains high quantity of salt),
     winter heat source agents like hand or foot warmers (contain high levels of
     iron), cigarettes, coffee grounds, and alcoholic drinks
.
8.      All automotive products such as oil, gasoline, and antifreeze, should
          be stored in areas away from pet access.  As little as one teaspoon of antifreeze
          (ethylene glycol) can be deadly in a 7lb cat  and less than one tablespoon could be
          lethal to a 20lb dog.

9.  Before buying or using flea products on your pet or in your household, contact
           your veterinarian to discuss what types of flea products are recommended
           for your pet.
 
           Read ALL information before using a  product on your animals or in your home.
           Always follow label instructions.
 
           When a product is labeled "for use in dogs only" this means
           that the product should NEVER be applied to cats.   Also, when using a fogger or a
           house spray, make sure to remove all pets from the area for the time period
           specified on the container.   If you are uncertain about the usage of any product,
           contact the manufacturer or your veterinarian to clarify the directions BEFORE
           use of the product.

10.  When treating your lawn or garden with fertilizers, herbicides, or insecticides,
          always keep your animals away from the area until the area dries completely.
          Discuss usage of products with the manufacturer of the products to be used.
          Always  store such products in an area that will ensure no possible pet exposure

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LIST OF POISONOUS PLANTS
 
 
Aloe Vera  Foxglove
Amarylillis   Fruit Salad Plant
Apple (seeds) Geranium
Apple Leaf Croton  German Ivy
Apricot (pit)  Giant Dumb Can
Asparagus Fern  Glacier Ivy
Autumn Crocus  Gold Dust Dracaena
Azalea   Golden Pothos 
Baby's Breath Hahn's Self-Branching Ivy
Bird of Paradise  Heartland Philodendron
Branching Ivy  Hurricane Plant
Buckey   Indian Rubber Plant
Buddist Pine   Janet Craig Dracaena
Caladium  Japanese Show Lily (especially cats !!!)
Calla Lily  Jeusalem Cherry
Castor Bean  Kalanchoe
Ceriman  Lacy Tree Philodendron
Charming Dieffenbachia Lily of the Valley
Cherry (seeds and wilting leaves)  Madagascar Dragon Tree
Chinese Evergreen   Marble Queen
Cineraria Marijuana
Clematis  Mexican Breadfruit
Cordatum Miniature Croton
Corn Plant  Mistletoe
Cornstalk Plant  Morning Glory
Croton  Mother-in Law's Tongue
Cuban Laurel  Narcissus
Cutleaf Philodendron  Needlepoint Ivy
Cycads Nephytis
Cyclamen Nightshade
Daffodil  Oleander
Devil's Ivy  Onion
Dieffenbachia   Oriental Lily (especially in cats!!!)
Dracaena Palm Peace Lily
Dragon Tree  Peach (wilting leaves and pits)
Dumb Cane Pencil Cactus
Easter Lily (especially in cats!!!!)  Plumosa Fern
Elaine Poinsettia (low toxicity)
Elephant Ears   Poison Ivy
Emerald Feather Poison Oak
English Ivy  Pothos
Eucalyptus
Fiddle-leaf fig  Precatory Bean
Florida Beauty  Primrose
Red Emerald Saddle Leaf Philodendron
Red Princess Sago Palm
Red-Margined Dracaena Satin Pothos
Rhododendron Schefflera
Ribbon Plant Silver Pothos
Taro Vine Spotted Dumb Cane
Tiger Lily (especially cats!!!) String of Pearls
Tomato Plant (green fruit, stem and leaves) Striped Dracaena
Tree Philodendron Sweetheart Ivy
Tropic Snow Dieffenbachia Swiss Cheese Plant
Weeping Fig Yew
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