One Health

Poison Prevention Week is a great reminder that some of the most dangerous things for our pets are already in our homes. Dogs and cats are naturally curious — they sniff it, lick it, chew it… and sometimes that curiosity can get them into trouble.

Common pet toxins include:

• Human medications (even one pill can be dangerous)

• Chocolate and foods with xylitol (often found in sugar-free gum and peanut butter)

• Grapes and raisins

• Cleaning supplies

• Rat poison and insecticides

• Certain plants, like lilies (especially dangerous for cats)

Did you know?
Human medications are one of the top reasons pets are treated for poisoning each year. Something as small as a dropped pill on the floor can cause serious harm.

The good news? Prevention is simple:

• Keep medications and cleaners in closed cabinets.

• Double-check that pets can’t reach counters or bags.

• Be careful with purses, backpacks, and pill organizers.

• Look up plants before bringing them home.

• Store pet medications separately from human medications.

If you think your pet may have eaten something they shouldn’t, don’t wait. Call your veterinarian right away or contact ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435.

A little awareness goes a long way. Small steps at home can prevent big emergencies — and help keep our pets safe and healthy.

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Candice Hinkle
Assistant Director
Program for Pet Health Equity
Knoxville, TN
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Candice, this is such an important reminder-thank you for elevating it. I really appreciate how clearly you outlined the risks to pets. I'd add that poison prevention is just as critical for people, especially children, older adults, and individuals managing multiple medications-making this a true One Health issue.

Many of the same hazards you mentioned affect humans too:

• Medications (prescription, over-the-counter, supplements)

• Cleaning products and chemicals

• Carbon monoxide and environmental exposures

• Pesticides and rodenticides

• Certain plants and foods

Common signs of poisoning in humans can include:

• Nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain

• Confusion, dizziness, or unusual drowsiness

• Trouble breathing

• Burns or irritation around the mouth/skin

• Seizures or loss of consciousness

Simple prevention strategies at home:

• Store medications in locked or childproof cabinets (not countertops or purses)

• Keep products in original containers with labels intact

• Avoid mixing cleaning products (especially bleach and ammonia)

• Install carbon monoxide detectors

• Use clear routines for medication management to prevent double-dosing

If a poisoning is suspected, don't wait:

• In the U.S., call Poison Control Centers (1-800-222-1222) - free, 24/7, expert guidance

• For severe symptoms (collapse, trouble breathing, seizures), call 911 immediately

For trusted information and prevention resources:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Poisoning Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/poisoning/prevention

• American Association of Poison Control Centers: https://www.poisonhelp.org

• MedlinePlus Poisoning: https://medlineplus.gov/poisoning.html

Your post highlights how shared environments create shared risks-and how small, preventive steps protect both people and pets. This is exactly what One Health looks like in practice.

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T' Fisher, Director of Operations
Center for Pet Family Well-Being
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Great reminder, thank you for sharing this! I learned this the hard way with my dog - he once got into a bag and almost chewed on some medication I dropped. Since then I've been super careful about keeping everything out of reach. Also, from my own experience using products from Petlab Co, I've become a lot more mindful about what goes into my pet's system overall - even "safe" things should be stored properly and used correctly.

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Tyrone Pierce
Veterinarian
Maryland Hospital
MD
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