HOME AND CONTENTS INSURANCE FOR EXPAT FAMILIES IN SINGAPORE – SUBMIT QUOTE ENQUIRY

Although rodent poisons and insecticides are the most common sources of companion animal poisoning, the following list of less common, but potentially toxic, agents should be avoided or safely secured away from your pet’s cheeky access!

Garden products: Cocoa mulch, fertilizers, and compost piles are unsafe for pets. Make sure any mulch or fertilizer you apply to your yard is safe for pets to play in (and possibly eat). Keep your pet out of areas treated with toxic products. Compost piles can grow bacteria and fungi that are highly toxic to pets, so if you have a compost pile, make sure your pet cannot get into it, and don’t compost dairy or meat items.

Poisonous household plants, including azalea, dieffenbachia (dumb cane), lilies, mistletoe and philodendron.

String, yarn, rubber bands and even dental floss are easy to swallow and can cause intestinal blockages or strangulation.

Mothballs, when used properly, are effective at killing moths. But used carelessly, they pose a hidden health threat to pets. Pets can be attracted to the curious smell of mothballs. Ingestion causes toxic poisoning leading to liver damage, respiratory failure, seizures, heart arrhythmia, and the possibility of death. The ingestion of just one mothball can produce significant illness. Repeated inhalation of fumes or ingestion of a few mothballs can be fatal to cats and dogs.

Certain foods:

Grapes sound like a great snack, except for the acute renal failure your dog might incur. Your kidneys won’t fail, but theirs might. Raisins are really just dried grapes, so they count too.
Macadamia nuts are particularly poisonous to dogs, and it’s easy to forget if they’re in cookies and snacks you might be tempted to share.
Onions kill canine blood cells and resulting Heinz Body Anemia can be life-threatening. Onion powder in food is enough to do this, so attention to ingredients is crucial.

Fabric softener sheets might offer a tempting secondary use for controlling pet hair, but chemicals in them aren’t healthy for your dog. They may also like the smell and want to play with them like toys, but it isn’t wise.

In an Emergency…

If your pet does eat something he or she shouldn’t, time is critical. Call your veterinarian or Companion Animal Surgery (open 24 hours) on 62557950 immediately and be prepared to describe what your pet ate, how long ago and how much.

HOME AND CONTENTS INSURANCE FOR EXPAT FAMILIES IN SINGAPORE – SUBMIT QUOTE ENQUIRY