Keep your pet safe! National Animal Poison Prevention Week is almost here!

Awareness about poison prevention is in the news because March 20-26th 2016 is National Animal Poison Prevention Week. It’s possibly due to the fact that when the weather is warmer the number of calls to the ASPCA’s Poison Control Center rises. “We usually get about 600 calls a day in the winter,” said Dr. Wismer. “That number increases in the summer; we get up to 800 calls a day then.”

Dr. Wismer suspects the increase of calls results from our being outdoors and around plants, herbicides, fertilizers, and pesticides. “Our exposure is increased then and our dogs spend more time outside,” she says. “We also do more hiking then. So, it’s important to note which plants to watch out for.”

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Mobile App
The ASPCA also has a new Poison Prevention App that provides you with life-saving information. The app is free and can be downloaded here.

While we have to be careful when we are outside with our dogs, the number one substance that the ASPCA’s Poison Control Center gets the most calls about is chocolate; large amounts of chocolate can be lethal to both dogs and cats. “We also get a lot of calls about ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and other over-the-counter drugs,” says Dr. Wismer.

It’s important to keep all medications in a cabinet that is out of your pet’s reach.

Be prepared.
It’s a smart idea to check out the ASPCA’s Poison Prevention information before you need it. This way you will be prepared for any possible poison related crisis and able to act swiftly to save your pet.

These tips should hopefully keep your pup safe. In case of any accidents, you should definitely call the hotline or download the app! make sure you spread awareness for Prevention Week. Our doggies will appreciate it!

For more on National Animal Poison Prevention Week, visit DogTime.