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Top 10 Toxins
for Dogs + Cats

Top 10 Toxins for Dogs

Chocolate
Dark equals dangerous! Bakers and dark chocolate are the most toxic, and milk chocolate can be dangerous if ingested in large amounts.
Xylitol
This sweetener found in sugarless chewing gum and candy, medications and nasal sprays causes a rapid drop in blood sugar and liver failure only in dogs (not cats).
NSAIDs
Ibuprofen, naproxen and so on found in products such as Advil, Motrin and Aleve, are not easily metabolized by dogs; ingestions result in stomach ulcers and kidney failure.
Over the counter meds
Any cough, cold, and allergy medications are dangerous! Those that contain acetaminophen or decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine, are particularly toxic. 
Grapes/Raisins
These harmless human foods cause kidney damage in dogs.
Rhodenticides (mouse poison)
These may cause internal bleeding (brodifacoum, bromadiolone and so on) or brain swelling (bromethalin), even in small amounts.
Insect bait stations
These rarely cause poisoning in dogs—the bigger risk is bowel obstructions when dogs swallow the plastic casing.
Prescriptions (ADD/ADHD meds)
Amphetamines such as Adderall, Concerta, Dexedrine and Vyvanse can cause tremors, seizures, cardiac problems and death in pets.
Glucasomine (joint supplements)
Overdoses of tasty products such as Cosequin and Move Free typically only cause diarrhea; however, in rare cases, liver failure can develop.
Oxygen absorbers
Iron containing oxygen absorbers found in food packages like beef jerky or pet treats can cause iron poisoning. 

Top 10 Toxins for Cats

Lilies
Plants in the Lilium species, such as Easter, tiger and Asiatic lilies, cause kidney failure in cats.
Household cleaners
Most general-purpose cleaners (Windex, 409) are fairly safe, but concentrated products such as toilet bowl or drain cleaners can cause chemical burns.
Flea and tick products for dogs
Those that are pyrethroid-based (Zodiak, K9 Advantix, Sergeant's) cause tremors and seizures and can be deadly to cats.
Prescriptions (ADD/ADHD meds)
These drugs have the same toxic effects in cats as in dogs.
Over the counter meds
Those that contain acetaminophen are particularly toxic to cats, as they damage red blood cells and cause liver failure.
Plants (containing insoluable calcium oxalate crystals)
Common household plants such as peace lilies, philodendron and pothos can cause oral and upper GI irritation, foaming at the mouth and inflammation when ingested, but severe symptoms are uncommon.
Antidepressants
Cymbalta and Effexor topped Pet Poison Helpline's antidepressant list in 2013. Cats seem strangely drawn to these medications, which can cause severe feline neurologic and cardiac effects on ingestion.
NSAIDs
Cats are even more sensitive than dogs to drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen. Even veterinary-specific NSAIDs such as carprofen and meloxicam should be used with caution.
Household insecticides
Most of these household sprays and powders are fairly safe, but it's best to keep cats away from plants after application until the products have dried or settled. 
Glow sticks and glow jewelry
These irresistible "toys" contain a chemical called dibutyl phthalate. When it contacts the mouth, pain and excessive foaming occurs, but the signs quickly resolve when the cat eats food or drinks water. 
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