Ideas for keeping pets safe from potential dangers Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and with this holiday of love comes gifts, many of which include candies and flowers. The veterinarians at Pet Poison Helpline® share some of the most common culprits of pet poisonings related to these well-intentioned gifts. “Unfortunately, some well-intentioned gifts…
By: Ronald M. Kraft, DVM Danger lurks everywhere if our pets are smarter than we are. Have I ever told you about Leonard? He is my 13-year-old yellow lab, a rescue from the SPCA. My wife and I spent the first few years learning to lock the pantry to keep him from opening the door. Whatever we tried, he…
The veterinarians at Pet Poison Helpline® have perused their records for 2011, and determined the “Top Ten List” of potential poisons in our homes and yards that were the most commonly reported during 2011. “Each year we examine our records to determine what contributed to the most calls from pet owners and veterinarians,” said Justine…
Handbags: Reservoirs for Items Toxic to Pets To a dog or cat, a handbag or backpack can be like an amusement park. In one compact place, she can find many flavorful treasures to nuzzle, sniff and chew. This wouldn’t be so much of a problem if all the contents in handbags and backpacks were safe…
Reviewed by Renee Schmid DVM, DABT, DABVT · Last updated: October 2026 A pack of gum left in a purse or a sugar-free candy dropped on the floor can catch any pet parent off guard. If your dog got into a sugar-free product, it’s natural to feel worried. Our veterinary toxicology experts are here to…
