Are you accidently poisoning your pet? It turns out, many people are. Often with the very things promoted to make humans healthier!
Calming, healing, stress relieving… essential oil benefits for humans are well advertised. The potential dangers for pets aren't usually on the warning label - dizzyness, depression, liver failure, brain damage.
Dr. Ashley Davis from Blue Pearl Veterinary Partners in Southfield says you can't lump all essential oils into one category. Effects vary from one to another.
"The different aromatherapy diffusers are becoming really popular," says Dr. Ashley Davis. "The inhaled effects is variable depending on how much your animal is directly breathing it in."
Experts say a cat's liver can't process essential oils the same way humans or even dogs can. The toxins build up over time so symptoms may not be immediately evident, but can eventually result in death.
For dogs, some essential oils in certain deliveries are helpful, some are toxic. Both lists are pretty long. "Those are hard to make a generalization about because the oils can all be made up of something different. It definitely can cause an upset stomach if your dog or cat were to ingest it and can cause skin irritations. And at high doses you can even start to see organ problems: liver failure or neurological signs," says Dr. Davis.
She says most accidental poisonings she sees, happen because pet owners are trying to help their four legged kids stay healthy and active, without consulting a vet first.
"Your Motrins and Alleves are very toxic to animals and can lead to ulcerations or even kidney failure. Tylenol is a big one as well, very toxic in cats," says Dr. Davis.
Produce may be the healthiest section in the grocery store, but there are pet toxins even here. The seeds of pears, onions and grapes are all very toxic to pets.
"Grapes and raisins we commonly see, that can lead to Kidney failure in dogs and cats," says Dr. Davis.
Chocolate is a commonly known 'no no' for dogs, but Macadamia nuts are often overlooked.
Vets say checking the ingredient list of any people food is vital. Yeast can do a number on a dog's digestive track and while all natural full fat peanut butter is just fine… the *low calorie peanut butter with Xylitol is very poisonous.
"I recommend that they bring the container of peanut butter into their vet office because Xylitol, If ingested, can cause a drop in their blood sugar and ultimately lead to liver failure as well," says Dr. Davis. While your dog may be eating you out of house and home, keep him away from your money.
"Penny ingestion can lead to their body destroying their own red blood cells," says Dr. Davis.
The growing popularity of e-cigarettes and and the flavored refills are causing problems too.
" I've seen animals come in in comas before after getting into the e-cigarette liquid nicotine," says Dr. Davis.
Bottom line: if you have a concern or a doubt, don't rely on the internet. Call your vet.
You can also call the National Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435
