Our friends at Last Hope Animal Rescue in Cedar Rapids recently shared a post that caught my eye. The photo contains a list from the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center of the top ten toxins that pets ingested in 2021. According to the post, the organization received over 320,000 calls regarding these items last year.

As a dog owner, I'm very paranoid about Tater eating something that he's not supposed to. Maybe that's because our family dog Charles was a nightmare of a puppy that ate anything and everything he could get his paws on! I swear that dog has an iron stomach. I remember calling poison control once after finding out that he consumed some of my birth control pills (don't worry, he was fine). I'm not surprised to see that prescription medication is actually the number two item on the top ten list of toxins. Here are all of the items listed by the ASCPA:

  1. Over-The-Counter Medications (Ibuprofen, Vitamin D, Herbal Supplements)
  2. Human Prescription Medications (Antidepressants, Cardiac Meds, ADHD meds)
  3. Human Food (Protein Bars & Shakes, Xylitol, Onions/Garlic, Grapes/Raisins)
  4. Chocolate
  5. Plants
  6. Household Toxins (Cleaning Products, Paint)
  7. Veterinary Products (Chewable Products)
  8. Rodenticides
  9. Insecticides
  10. Garden Products (Fertilizers)

If you're ever concerned that your pet has eaten something that could be toxic to them, you can call the ASPCA's 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435.

If you're thinking of adopting a pet, Last Hope Animal Rescue is a fantastic place to check out. It's one of the amazing rescues that we work with for our 'Furry Friday' segment each week, plus it's where I got my little Tater Tot from in 2020! You can see all the animals they currently have up for adoption HERE.

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