For the pet owners

[yendi]

As the holidays approach, some folks like to put out assorted flowers and plants. Most folks know that mistletoe is really, really bad, but there are a lot of other plants that are bad ideas.

The ASPCA has a good list of plants to avoid, as well as a list of plants that are generally safe.

As a bonus, here are questions about types of food you might feed a pet (or food they might grab without your permission).

Comments

[losgunna.livejournal.com]

I have a huge issue with that food list.

Most of them are related to dogs, and only a few to cats. What they should be doing is explaining the toxicity for BOTH animals, for all food types. There are some serious differences between dogs and cats, and what might make one ill could be fine for the other.

That said, the ASPCA poison control hotline is an invaluable tool. Yes, it costs $60 to make the phone call, but keep in mind that the money you pay for that phone call is the ONLY thing keeping that call center going. They are not getting outside money. We, like most vets in the area, just keep a credit card on file, so that when we call we can get the quickest answers. This is how we knew what to do when we had a client bring in cats that had eaten rat poisoning, and why we knew what to do when my Wibble was a dipshit who ate Lily of the Valley (not related to regular lillies, but just as dangerous in it's own way). Keeping their phone number on the fridge at all times is very important for a pet owner. (888)426-4435