Is your pooch mad for people food? Does your kitty like to self-medicate? Sadly, not everything we love is good for us. In fact, many common household goods that we take for granted as harmless can poison our furry friends. In 2009, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center in Urbana, IL, handled more than 140,000 cases of pets exposed to toxic household substances, including insecticides, cleaning supplies and prescription medications.

To help you keep your pet safe and sound in 2010, our experts have created a list of the 10 common poisons that most affected our furry friends last year. Here’s a sneak peek at their advice:

• Top dishonors—once again—go to human medications, which accounted for the most calls to the ASPCA’s 24-hour poison control hotline in 2009. Pets often snatch pill vials from counters and nightstands or gobble up meds accidentally dropped on the floor. Remember to keep all medications, including pain remedies, antidepressants and decongestants, in a cabinet far away from pets’ prying paws.
• Cats and dogs are often the unwitting victims of our efforts to battle flea infestations. The misapplication of spot-on flea and tick products can be especially problematic for our feline friends. Talk to your vet about choosing the right, species-specific flea treatment for your pet and never use products made for dogs on cats, and vice versa.
• Some of the most delicious people food—including citrus, avocado and raisins—can be poisonous to pets. Chocolate ingestion accounted for nearly half of all people food-related cases in 2009, so be sure to keep cocoa hidden from your resourceful cat or dog.
• Pet parents also need to remember to protect their cats and dogs from common household cleaners such as bleaches, detergents and disinfectants. These products, when inhaled by our furry friends, can cause serious gastrointestinal distress and irritation to the respiratory tract.
• Household plants may keep your house green and your air clean, but some can cause serious gastrointestinal problems for companion animals who nibble on them. Check out our toxic plant list before your next visit to the nursery.

As always, if you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please call your vet or the ASPCA’s 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435.

Severe weather conditions are expected to last through the weekend. Pets that are left

outdoors without sufficient shelter can be in mortal danger quickly.

Oklahoma law calls for animals to have adequate food, water and shelter.

In current weather conditions, animals should be brought indoors or must have access to

shelter in which they can remain warm, dry and completely out of wind.

Short haired dogs, elderly animals or ones which are underweight or otherwise in poor

health can be in the greatest danger. Do not leave senior pets or shorthaired dogs outdoors

unattended.

Water bowls left outside will freeze. Pets should be offered water indoors or in areas in

which a bowl cannot freeze.

If pets are indoors in a carrier, do not leave the carrier too close to a heat source or

fireplace. Make sure that bedding is safe and also is not near a heat source.

Jenny McElyea
Program Director
Oklahoma Alliance for Animals

Title: “DOG BOWL 2010″ Forrest & Jenny’s Place Animal Rescue Jan. 31
Location: Cain’s Ballroom
Link out: Click here
Description: A fun competiton event for dogs at Cain’s Ballroom on January 31st, from 4-7pm benefitting  Forrest & Jenny’s Place Animal Rescue . There will be live music from “Tex Montan,”
food from ELmer’s BBQ, and an awesome silent auction featuring items from The Ambassador Hotel, The Cheesecake Factory, Kirk Douglas, Steve Largent, Tulsa Ballet, and MANY more! Admission is $15 per person, a $10 Entry fee for competing dogs, and spectator dogs attend free.
Start Time: 16:00
Date: 2010-01-31
End Time: 19:00