Protect Your Dogs and Cats From These Fall Poisons

Most dog and cat owners know they shouldn’t feed their pets things like chocolate, nuts, and salty snack foods, and may be aware that plants like tulips and azaleas can be toxic to the animals. In addition, this summer saw a rash of dog poisonings by algae in lakes across America.

The advent of fall, however, brings a number of new, seasonally specific dangers for Fido and Tabby. The Pet Poison Helpline has recently outlined these in a list called Fall Toxins Poisonous to Dogs & Cats.

Some of the items on the list are obvious: “As people prepare their boats, cars or cabins for winter,” notes the Helpline, “pets may inadvertently be exposed to antifreeze.” Even small amounts of it can be fatal to pets. Mouse and rat poisons, also often used in winterizing, are very dangerous, too, as are mothballs.

Less obvious dangers are mushrooms, certain types of which can be poisonous (the Helpline recommends that pet owners frequently clear any spontaneously sprouting mushrooms from their yards), and compost heaps, which may contain tremorgenic mycotoxins — mold cells that can induce tremors in animals. There are other dangers you might not be aware of that are right in front of you. These are 20 surprisingly dangerous and common things in your home.

The website of the American Kennel Club affiliate AKC Reunite, a non-profit pet ID and recovery service, adds a warning about candy even if it’s not chocolate. Sugary high-fat sweets can lead to pancreatitis in pets, and the sweetener xylitol can be poisonous. In addition, candy wrappers pose a threat, as foil and cellophane can block animals’ bowels.

Dogs have limited lifespans under the best conditions (11.3 years is the median), so they need all the help they can get to live more healthful lives. These are the shortest and longest living dog breeds in the world.

And AKC Reunite adds one more warning: Keep Halloween glow sticks out of reach, too. “Pets, especially cats, love to chew on these items,” says the site. While the contents aren’t usually life-threatening, they can cause mouth irritation and pain.

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