Pet Toxins - Common Human Products

5 days ago

5 min read

There are many things widely known as being toxic to pets, such as things like chocolate, grapes, or household items such as rat bait - but it's important to be aware of products we use on ourselves that may be toxic to pets when ingested. Topical lotions, creams, ointments, serums, and even essential oils are commonly used in most households for one reason or another, and it's as important to keep your pet from licking your skin after they have been applied as it is to keep the bottles or tubes out of reach of pets altogether. In this blog, we will cove some common products that may pose a risk to pets and how to safely use and store these items.

Disclaimer: This blog will cover the risks posed to pets by unintentional exposure to these products, such as if your pet was to lick your skin after recently applying the medication of topical treatment. This blog is intended to spread awareness, not provide medical advice in the even your pet ingests something. If you observe your pet displaying any new or unusual symptoms and may have been exposed, or has gotten into the container/bottle/tube itself and ingested the product directly from the container, please seek medical attention IMMEDIATELY by contacting and heading to a veterinary clinic. Be sure to bring the packaging or have a full ingredient list of the exact product your pet ingested.

General Cautions and Considerations

A common misconception is that if a product is safe for use in humans (especially children), then it must be safe for pets, but this is far from true. There are many things that are safe for use in humans that can be toxic to pets (see things like chocolate, grapes, garlic, onion, xylitol, etc.). Do not administer children's medications to pets assuming they will be safer that the adult version.

As a general rule, you should never give your pet any type of oral or topical medication without specific instruction from your veterinarian, and potentially harmful agents such as cleaning supplies, pest bait, hair and beauty products, sunscreen, and other tanning lotions should always be kept out of reach of pets and children, ideally locked away inside of a cupboard or closet.

If using some kind of applicator to apply the topical treatments, such as gloves, gauze, cotton balls, cotton swabs, etc. be sure that these are properly disposed of in a trash can that is not accessible to pets and cannot be easily knocked over (such as the outdoor trash can kept outside or in the garage) as ingesting these products can also lead to toxicity.

Always wash your hands thoroughly after applying your topical treatment, even if you wear gloves or use something to apply the treatment, before touching your pets or handling their food and water.

Be mindful of surfaces that you may be affecting and allow products and treatments to dry completely before handling your pets or potentially exposing furniture your pet may spend time on. For example, if your pet sleeps in the bed with you, be sure to apply any creams or products like Minoxidil (Rogaine) well before bed so these products have time to absorb and dry as transfer to your sheets or pillows can pose a danger to pets.

Ingestion is not the only concern and utilizing something such as pet clothing or an e-collar to prevent your pet from licking the topical treatment off of their own fur or skin is not effective in preventing toxicity. Topical products are often absorbed through the skin, so please do not use anything on your pet that has not been recommended or prescribed by your veterinarian, including "natural" products such as essential oils.

Generally, cats are far more sensitive to toxic substances or plants than their canine counterparts and extra caution and care should be taken around cats. Additionally, while exposure or ingestion of toxic substances usually impacts small dogs and cats more greatly, even tiny amounts can create significant problems for larger dogs and pets of all sizes should be taken in for medical treatment if you know or suspect they have been exposed to a harmful substance.

Signs and Symptoms

While the symptoms may vary depending on the product and amount ingested, here are some general symptoms of toxicity exposure to be on the lookout for, especially if you know your pet may have accidentally ingested something they shouldn't have:

Excessive drooling
Licking their lips constantly (can be a sign of nausea or irritation in the mouth)
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Blood in the stools (either bright red or dark, black, tarry stools)
Loss of appetite
Shaking/Tremors
Lethargy
Hyperactivity
Restlessness, unable to get comfortable
Wheezing
Shortness of breath/fast panting
Difficulty or labored breathing
Pale, purple/blue gums, or bright red gums (color should be a healthy pink)
Unusually low or high body temperature
Loss of coordination, difficulty walking or standing
Seizures/convulsions
Collapse

To check your pet's temperature at home, use a dedicated pet thermometer (digital is best as it is faster and pet's may not enjoy having their temperature taken) and a small amount of lubricant or petroleum jelly for their comfort and insert the thermometer rectally. You may need the assistance of another family member or friend if you pet wont sit still for a temperature reading. If you pet wiggled too much and the thermometer fell out during the reading, try to repeat the process with additional help to get an accurate reading. Pets generally run warmer that we do, and these are considered healthy and normal temperature ranges for dogs and cats. If your pet was recently outside or running around, their temperature may temporarily read higher than normal.

Normal temperature range for dogs and cats: 101.0 F to 102.5 F

Contact your veterinarian or nearest emergency clinic for next steps if your pet's temperature rises above 104.0 F or below 99.0 F

Common Products that Pose Risk to Pets

Pain relief creams, including NSAIDs and local anesthetics:

Baclofen
Cyclobenzaprine
Lidocaine
Flurbiprofen
Diclofenac
Benzocaine
Ketoprofen
Bupivacaine
Tramadol

Creams and ointments to treat medical conditions, including hormone creams, topical steroids, skin conditions suck as psoriasis, and medications intended to treat cancer:

Estradiol (estrogen cream)
Calcipotriene
5-Fluorouracil
Corticosteroids (betamethasone, clobetasol, hydrocortisone, etc.)

Products commonly used for aesthetic purposes, such as hair growth or acne:

Minoxidil (commonly known as Rogaine)
Retinoids (adapalene, tretinoin)
Toothpaste (Made for humans, sodium fluoride is toxic to pets)
Nail glue (most contain polyurethane)
Hair mousse (may contain ingredients such as acetic acid, aluminum sulfate, hydrochloric acid, and sulfuric acid)
Tea tree oil
Hand sanitizer
Moisturizers containing essential oils

Products used for skin protection or itch relief:

Zinc oxide (commonly used for diaper rash, also common ingredient in sunscreen)
Neosporin that contains a rain relief agent
Calamine lotion (contains zinc oxide)
Anti-fungals (athlete's foot, nail fungus, yeast infection treatments)
Triple-antibiotic creams/ointments (unless specifically recommended by your veterinarian with instructions)

This list is not exclusive. If you think your pet has been exposed to a toxin, contact your veterinary or animal poison control: