Helpful Questions and Answers from ASPCA
Have you heard that a specific product or substance could be dangerous to your pets? Our experts at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center set the record straight on a variety of substances, from cleaning products to popular houseplants.
This Week's Questions & Answers:
Are cucumbers safe for dogs to eat?
—Julie B.
There is currently no data indicating that cucumbers have toxic potential to pets, Julie. However, it is important to keep in mind that even vegetables or plants considered to be nontoxic can produce minor stomach upset if ingested.
While the ASPCA typically does not advocate the feeding of table foods to pets, if you choose to offer your dog a bit of cucumber now and then, be sure to keep an eye out for signs of gastrointestinal (GI) upset; if you notice any symptoms, it’s a good idea to discontinue giving him this veggie.
A few days ago my pug found a chlorine tablet in the backyard. She was treated and is now fine, but I would like to know what could have happened to her.
—Melissa S.
We’re very glad to hear that your pug is doing fine after her exposure to chlorine, Melissa! What could have happened to her depends on the amount and concentration of chlorine ingested, as well as other factors. Exposure to products with large amounts of chlorine could potentially result in significant irritation and damage to skin, eyes, lungs, the Gl tract and other mucous membranes, depending on the route of exposure. In severe cases, ulceration or even perforation of the GI tract is possible.
How many buckeyes would a 70-pound dog have to eat before becoming very ill? We have buckeye trees in our yard and are trying to figure out where to put a fenced enclosure.
—Liz M.
That’s a tough question, Liz. Buckeye (Aesculus spp.]) is a member of the Hippocastanaceae family, and contains a toxic component known as aesculin. When ingested, buckeye can potentially produce significant GI irritation, dilated pupils and severe central nervous system depression, possibly leading to coma. In some cases, however, the opposite—central nervous system excitement—is seen.
Concentration of the toxin can vary from tree to tree, and even from one buckeye nut to another—so it is difficult to determine the number of nuts that could be problematic. Because of this, we advise that you do not allow your dog to consume any amount.
Are the leaves of the peace lily as poisonous to pets as the flower portion?
—Lisa M.
Yes they are, Lisa. Peace lily (Spathiphyllum sp.) is considered to be toxic to pets—and if any part of the plant is chewed or ingested, it can cause significant mechanical irritation and swelling of the oral tissues and other parts of the GI tract. This is true for both cats and dogs.
To get a bit technical, these plants contain cells known as idioblasts. Idioblasts contain raphides, which are slender, spearlike parts of calcium oxalate crystals. Raphides are sharp and needle-shaped, and are packed in a gelatinous substance. When the tip of the idioblast is broken, sap from the plant—or saliva from an animal—enters the cell, causing the gelatin to swell. The swelling action forces the raphides to shoot from the cell, kind of like a gun discharging a bullet. The calcium oxalate crystals penetrate an animal’s oral mucosa, tongue, and throat, causing damage. The cells may continue to expel crystals for a significant amount of time, even after a piece of plant material is swallowed. As this is happening, proteolytic enzymes stimulate the release of kinins and histamines by the body. The rapid inflammatory response from the release of these substances aggravates the damage caused by the crystals. Chewing, bruising, tearing, or otherwise damaging the plant is necessary to produce these effects.
According to our experience at the APCC, most animals exhibit GI-related symptoms, including drooling, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, from ingesting peace lilies. On rare occasions, oropharyngeal swelling can be severe. Tongue swelling, trouble swallowing, and difficulty in breathing may be seen in these cases. Based on this information, we definitely advise keeping peace lily plants out of the reach of pets.
Last Week's Questions & Answers:
A vet once warned me that Febreze is not safe to use in the home if you have pets. However, I know many people who do use it. What is the answer to this controversy? I have a 9-year-old cat and do not use Febreze.
—Taylor B.
Good question, Taylor. Contrary to rumors circulating on the Internet alleging that Febreze causes serious illness or death in pets, our veterinary toxicology experts at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center regard Febreze fabric freshener products to be safe for use in households with pets.
As with any product, it is important that you always follow label instructions for use. However, should your cat accidentally come into contact with Febreze when it is still wet, we would not anticipate problems beyond mild skin irritation (which can occur with any product in animals with sensitive skin) or minor stomach upset, if it is ingested.
I was always told to give my dog Pepto Bismol for mild vomiting. But a friend recently told me that Pepto Bismol can be toxic to dogs. Is this true?
—Elisabeth B.
Pepto Bismol contains bismuth salicylate, which is somewhat similar to aspirin. While this medication has been prescribed by veterinarians at appropriate doses, large enough quantities of bismuth salicylate could cause effects similar to aspirin poisoning, depending on the circumstances of exposure
Because many human medications can be very harmful or even deadly to pets, the ASPCA advises pet owners to never give animals any medication or supplement that is not specifically prescribed by a veterinarian. If you suspect that your dog may not be feeling well, Elisabeth, call your vet so that your pet can be properly evaluated and given appropriate treatment.
Are paintballs toxic to pet birds?
—Melody A.
Paintballs do have the potential to be toxic to all animal species, including birds. But due to their indiscriminate eating habits and consumption of large volumes of paintballs, we have encountered problems mainly in dogs, Melody. The effects from ingesting paintballs can range from vomiting, diarrhea and muscle tremors to weakness, fever, elevated heart rate, blindness, seizures and, in severe cases, death.
Based on the toxic potential of paintballs, we recommend that pets not be allowed to accompany their owners during paintball games, and that pellets be stored in areas where animals cannot reach them.
I occasionally use a carpet deodorizing powder for pet odors when I vacuum the house. My dog isn’t in the room when I use this powder, but is it safe for homes with pets?
—Jennifer C.
Assuming that you follow label directions for the proper use of this product, we would not anticipate any problems for your pet, Jennifer. Should your dog accidentally come in contact with the freshly applied powder, we recommend washing her paws with mild soap and water to avoid minor skin irritation. This also reduces the chance that she might ingest the powder from her paws.
Minor ingestions of carpet freshener powder mainly involve mild stomach upset. If a small amount is inhaled, minor respiratory irritation may occur, resulting in sneezing, coughing, or a runny nose. Because of this, it is a good idea to continue to keep your dog out of the room until after you have vacuumed up the powder.
Archives
- People food
- Cleaning products, insecticides, fertilizers, etc.
- People medicine & cosmetic products
- Insects & bugs
- Plants—indoor & outdoor
- Backyard Hazards—trees, grass, pool, etc.
- Miscellaneous
Submit Your QUESTION!
Have a question about a specific substance or product? Our experts at the Animal Poison Control Center can tell you if it is potentially toxic to pets. Due to the volume of questions submitted, we cannot guarantee that yours will be answered in this column. Please do not submit questions about medical problems here. If you think your pet has ingested a poisonous substance, you should contact your veterinarian or the APCC’s 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435 immediately. Delay in seeking proper veterinary care can worsen an animal’s condition.
For additional helpful information on pet poison prevention, please visit APCC online.
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