By Mary Jane Anderson

Dogs have a natural inclination to explore their environment through sniffing and tasting. Because of this, most dogs are exposed to poisons every day around the house, garage and yard.

Looking around your house – from a dog’s view – you should find that there are various poisonous items that are easily in reach of your pet. Remember, your dog cannot judge safety for himself. He needs your help.

In the house, there are sprays, polishes, detergents, cleaning fluids, and paint that can prove toxic to dogs under certain conditions. Lead poisoning is common to puppies. During their teething period, they will chew on anything – such as painted wood. They may also drink water out of paint cans.

Cleaning fluids and bug killers are also common items in the house. Although most pets avoid chemicals because of their smell, there is always a chance your pet will take an experimental taste. One lick can be fatal.

Do not use bug killers in powder form. Your dog could walk through it and lick his paws.

Do not use roach cakes or other edible killing tablets.

If the dog’s toy should come into contact with insecticides, throw it away immediately.

Many people think medicine for people is good for pets, too. This is not true. All medicine should be kept in tightly-closed containers and out of reach of your dog. Vitamins, tranquilizers, and any other medicine can be fatal for your pet. Animals have died or became deathly ill from swallowing a pill that had dropped on the floor or after chewing a medicine container and swallowing the pills.

Flea powders, sprays, dips and collars used to control fleas and ticks can cause adverse effects upon your dog. Some dogs are sensitive to the chemicals and develop serious problems. If your dog wears a flea collar, check the skin for the first few days for any signs of irritation.

Pesticides stored in the garage and used in the yard are becoming an increasing danger to your dog because of the number of spraying and dusting products for the lawns and gardens. Recently, I was told of two puppies that died of chemicals put on the lawn to kill weeds. The puppies absorbed the chemicals through the pads of their feet. One died quickly, but the other died slowly after seven days of its owners trying desperately to save the pup.

Although lawn sprays are not normally toxic to animals, it is better to keep your dog inside until the spray has dried. Also, wiping your shoes before going into the house will avoid contamination. Insecticides can be absorbed through the skin; if there is any question of your dog having been in contact with three products, wash him off completely.

Even certain trees, shrubs, and flowers are poisonous when eaten. For example, daffodil and narcissus bulbs are poisonous. Do not leave unplanted bulbs in the garage or cellar where dogs can reach them. Other poisonous plants are azaleas, chrysanthemums, crocus, lily of the valley, privet, and oak – which includes acorns, young shoots and leaves.

For a complete list of poisonous plants, check your library.

If your dog is a garbage hound, he might be in for trouble. A dog’s stomach is strong as it digests many inedible objects. The worse it smells, the better he likes it – but, sometimes, the food or water can be contaminated with salmonella or clostridium bacteria, which cause food poisoning.

Poison results in either acute (violent fast death) or chronic (slow, lingering death) poisoning. The general symptoms of poisoning are intense pain in the abdomen, crying, vomiting, trembling, convulsions, and hard breathing. If you suspect your dog has been in contact with poison, contact your veterinarian immediately.

You can also contact the ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-4ANI-HELP if you suspect your pet has been in contact with either chemicals, drugs or pesticides. The hotline provides a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week service.

References: Household Dangers to Pets, Tree House Animal Foudation, 1983; Your Dog, Louis L. Vine, DVM, 1971.