Pet Proofing your home: Just as parents ‘childproof’ so should pet owners ‘pet proof’ for their four legged friends of the family.  Cats and dogs are naturally curious and love to explore their environment with their paws claws and mouths, but they don’t know what is dangerous and what is not … Its up to you to make your home a safe pet friendly environment. The following tips can help ensure that your pet enjoys a long, happy and accident free life in your care.

• Don’t let young pets out on balconies or high decking areas.
• Many household plants, including lilies, dieffenbachia, philodendrons, ivy and many more plants are extremely poisonous if eaten. Remove these plants or put them out of reach in hanging baskets.
• Rat and snail baits are extremely tempting for dogs to eat, yet they very poisonous, potentially fatal and should not be accessible at any time.
• Puppies and kittens love to chew when teething, so unplug, remove or cover electrical cords.
• Plastic bags may be fun to play with but they can suffocate.
• If your pet can put something in their mouth, they probably will. Don’t leave small, sharp, easily swallowed objects lying around.
• Keep pets away from lawns and gardens treated with snail bait and chemicals.
• Paint, petrol and other dangerous chemicals should be stored out of reach.
• Cover swimming pools, spas and ponds- your pet might fall in and drown.
• Never leave fishing tackle around. Dogs love the smell of old bait and will happily chew on a fish hook.
• Keep pets away from spiders and snakes. If you think your pet has been bitten by a snake please head straight to your veterinarian. Let the hospital know you are on the way as this will allow an emergency team to be on stand by.

Follow these simple guidelines to keep your pets healthy and out of danger.

Unfortunately we have had an increase in the number of dogs ingesting these potentially deadly plants. All parts of these plants are poisonous, especially the seeds. These seeds contain large amounts poison called cycasin. It does not take much of this seed to result in the poisoning of pets sometimes only 2 seeds will cause gastrointestinal issues, possible liver failure and affect the central nervous system. even death.

Dogs typically present with non specific signs such as vomiting and lethargy, changes in the urine and possible liver failure. These signs are obviously non-specific to the ingestion of the seeds.

Unfortunately the survival rate for Cycad, Zamia and Sago palm poisoning in dogs is not very high. Long term recovery could be further complicated by chronic liver failure.

If you have any of these plants in your garden, play it safe and remove them.

With any poisoning the sooner you get your pet  veterinary attention the better.