Pet Tips & Educational Library in La Crosse

Lawn Fertilizer: Did you know lawn fertilizer can be toxic to your pet? It’s true. Some fertilizers contain pesticides and other toxins. If your pet were to eat recently fertilized grass or just lick their paws after walking through the lawn, they may be at risk for poisoning. To protect your pet, always read the instructions on your fertilizer product and carefully follow the restrictions for pets and children before allowing them back on the grass. You may also want to use a fertilizer product that is pet friendly and free of dangerous chemicals.

Plant Toxicity: With spring comes the return of flowers and other beautiful plants. If you have a garden or indoor plants, make sure you know which ones are toxic and which ones aren’t. Many pets like to chew on plants, but they don’t always know which plants are safe to put in their mouth. Some of the most popular toxic flowers are lilies, tulips, azaleas, and chrysanthemums (mums). For more information, visit the ASPCA’s website for a list of toxic and non-toxic plants.

Heatstroke: Whether you take your dogs for a hike through the woods or just leave them in the yard to play for a few hours in the summer, it’s important to provide plenty of cool, fresh water and shelter from the hot sun. Pets can’t cool themselves like people can, so once you see them panting, they are telling you that they are hot and need to cool down. Pets are always at high risk for heatstroke in an enclosed vehicle, even if the windows are cracked open for ventilation. We recommend that you never leave them alone in the car on a hot summer day, even for a few minutes.

Sunburn: Pets with light colored fur, exposed skin, and light colored skin can get sunburned, just like people can, so protect them on those sunny days of summer. It’s best to avoid having your pet outdoors in direct sunlight during the late morning and early afternoon hours, when the sun is usually the most intense, but if you have to go out in the sun one of our veterinarians will recommend a pet-safe sun lotion.

Antifreeze: In the cold months of the year, the use of antifreeze typically increases, which means pets are at an increased risk of accidental poisoning. Antifreeze is a dangerous substance because it contains ethylene glycol, which tastes sweet and emits an inviting aroma to pets. If ingested, antifreeze can lead to kidney failure if treatment is not sought immediately. To protect your pets from accidental antifreeze poisoning, make sure all your antifreeze containers are tightly sealed and stored away, or consider using a pet-friendly product that contains propylene glycol, instead of ethylene.

Sidewalk Salt: Before salting your sidewalks and driveways in preparation for snowfall or freezing rain, read the label carefully regarding pet safety if you have a pet that goes outdoors. Many road salt and ice melt products contain chlorine and other toxic chemicals that can irritate your pet’s paws. If your pet ingests the salt by licking their feet or the ground, it can be harmful to their mouth and digestive system. Consider using pet-safe ice melt and salt products or give your pet a pair of booties when they go outdoors on a salted surface.