Accidental poisoning can be a devastating and potentially fatal situation. Our Miniature Schnauzer, Livi, has been persistent enough to get into a few chocolate treats and interesting-smelling garbage, but has tended to leave everything else alone. While we have been lucky, we realize that she could have just as easily lapped up some antifreeze or eaten our aloe plant….both of which would have been disastrous. I decided to become much better informed about which common household items and plants we should definitely keep out of Livi’s reach. Here’s what I found.
Which household products and plants can kill my Schnauzer? While the list is quite long, common household items such as medications, cleaning supplies, and paint are highly dangerous. Also, common plants such as tulips, ivy, and lilies can poison your Schnauzer. View a complete list below.
The challenge with keeping your Schnauzer safely separated from poisonous items is that the items are so commonly used in homes. In addition, especially when it comes to plants, what is healthy for you can be deadly to your Schnauzer…and it’s easy to forget the danger.
Keep these lists handy, maybe even posted somewhere, and ensure that everyone in your family knows what to watch for.
Household Items That Can Cause Poisoning in Schnauzers
By nature, Schnauzers are generally curious animals, and sometimes this curiosity may end up getting them into some trouble. They use their mouths to investigate and test anything that’s placed within their reach. This behavior might generate some very serious problems, especially when they come into contact with something harmful.
To assist in preventing poisoning accidents in your home, here is a comprehensive list of the most common household products that can poison your Schnauzer:
- Antifreeze
- Batteries
- Bleach
- Clothing whiteners
- Compost Piles
- Detergents
- De-icers
- Fabric softeners
- Fertilizers
- Flea and tick repellents
- Human medications
- Insecticides
- Mothballs
- Mouthwash
- Paints
- Rodenticide
Common Outdoor And Indoor Plants That Can Cause Poisoning In Schnauzers
When you purchase some flowers or a new plant, you probably don’t think about what would happen if your Schnauzer decided to take a bite. However, as a pet owner, you should know that some of the ordinary plants you bring into your residence can easily poison your Schnauzer.
Some of the common household plants that can cause poisoning include:
Aloe
Amaryllis
Arum
Azalea
Baby’s Breath
Begonia
Bergamot Orange
Bird of Paradise
Bishop’s Weed
Boxwood
Caladium
Calla Lily
Carnation
Castor Bean
Chamomile
Chrysanthemum
Clematis
Coleus
Corn Plant
Crocus
Cyclamen
Daffodil
Dahlia
Daisy
Elephant Ears
English Ivy
Eucalyptus
Foxglove
Gardenia
Garlic
Geranium
Gladiola
Hibiscus
Holly
Hosta
Hyacinth
Hydrangea
Iris
Jasmine
Kalanchoe
Lantana
Laurel
Marijuana
Mistletoe
Morning Glory
Oleander
Onion
Peace Lily
Peony
Periwinkle
Poinsettia
Primrose
Rhododendron
Sago Palm
Schefflera
Spring bulbs
Tomato Plant
Tulip
Vinca
Wisteria
Yarrow
Yew
Yucca
Tips to Prevent Your Schnauzer From Being Poisoned
• Never allow your Schnauzers to get access to the places in which you store or use your cleaning agents. These products have various properties; some might only cause some mild stomach upsets, but others can lead to severe burns of the mouth, tongue, and stomach.
• Be conscious of the plants you have in your yard and home. The ingestion of some of them by your Schnauzer can be fatal.
• Store all your pesticides, medications, and cleaners in a secured place above the counter.
• Avoid giving your Schnauzer any medication unless directed to do so by your veterinarian. Most of the medications which are safe for human beings can be fatal to animals.
• When using any mouse, rat, slug or snail baits, or roach or ant traps, make sure you put the products in places that are inaccessible to your Schnauzer. Most of these baits contain some ingredients that might attract him.
• Keep all your prescriptions and any over-the-counter medications out of your Schnauzer’s reach, for example, in closed cabinets. Human medications can be lethal to pets, even in smaller doses.
• Store automotive products like oil, gasoline, and antifreeze in areas that your Schnauzer cannot access. Less than one tablespoon of antifreeze can be deadly to a 20-pound dog…the size of a Miniature Schnauzer.
• Never leave your chocolates unattended.
• Always consult your veterinarian before purchasing a flea product, especially when treating debilitated, sick, or pregnant pets.
• If a certain product is only recommended for cats, you should never use it on Schnauzers. (Likewise, if a product is recommended for use on dogs only, you should never use it on cats.)
• Always read all of the instructions and follow the directions on labels before using any products in your home or on your Schnauzer. Be sure the contents are not harmful.
• Make sure your Schnauzer does not enter places in which house sprays or insecticidal foggers have been used for the duration indicated on the product label.
• If you’re not sure about the correct usage of a product, always consult your veterinarian or any other professional who is conversant with the product usage.
• Make sure your Schnauzer does not go in gardens or on lawns treated with fertilizers, insecticides, or herbicides until they’ve dried completely.
Signs of Poisoning
If you know or suspect your Schnauzer has ingested a poisonous substance, do not wait to see if some symptoms will show up, you should seek the advice or attention of a veterinary as soon as possible.
However, there are some situations in which your pet may have eaten something toxic without your knowledge, and that’s when it’s essential to be able to recognize any symptoms of poisoning.
Poisoning symptoms can vary broadly depending on the kind of toxic substance that your pet is exposed to, but some of the common signs you should look out for include:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Drooling
- Neurological symptoms like seizures
- Tremors
- Lethargy
- Twitching
- Irregular heartbeats
- Loss of blood like nose bleeding and bloody stool
Steps To Take If Your Schnauzer Ingested Something Poisonous
According to research, human medicines and drugs are commonly ingested by dogs than other toxic substances. These are then followed by human foods like chocolates, raisins and grapes, rat poison, insecticides, and dietary supplements like vitamin tablets.
If your Schnauzer does eat or is exposed to something toxic, it’s vital that you know what to do.
Here are the simple, but critical steps you should follow:
| 1. Forget everything you know | If your Schnauzer has ingested a toxic substance, you should forget everything you know about what you should do in such a scenario. Avoid any DIY dog first aid, unless you have talked your veterinarian and have been asked to take action. What works for one type of poison can cause severe damage to your Schnauzer if he has been exposed to another type of poison. |
| 2. Take your Schnauzer away from the toxic substance | If you see your Schnauzer ingesting something potentially poisonous, you should immediately either get the toxic substance away from your Schnauzer or move him away from the poison. |
| 3. Call your veterinarian | Call your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your Schnauzer has taken something poisonous. Again, if you know what he ingested, the vet should be able to tell you whether it’s toxic or not, and the next step you should take. |
| 4. Take a sample to your veterinarian | It’s most likely that your veterinarian will ask you to bring your Schnauzer to their emergency room. You should carry the packaging or a sample of the substance that your Schnauzer has ingested. If you are not sure what your pet has eaten, but they’ve vomited, you can carry a sample of their vomit because it might be beneficial in diagnosing the pet and help in the treatment plan as well. |
Treatments for Poisoning
Your veterinarian will assess the condition of your Schnauzer before settling on a suitable treatment plan. The priority of your vet will be to stabilize your Schnauzer before carrying out any procedures or diagnostic tests.
The treatment of poisoning can be range from remove and endoscopy, inducing sickness, or surgical procedures in severe cases.
There are some antidotes available for some poisons, including antifreeze, some rat poisons, and adder venom. In most cases, your Schnauzer’s symptoms will be treated to make sure their organs are not adversely affected.
It’s possible for any Schnauzer to ingest a toxic substance or a poison. If you have seen him ingesting a poisonous substance or your Schnauzer is behaving abnormally, you should immediately contact your vet or take your pet to the veterinarian for treatment.
Don’t try to treat your Schnauzer yourself since this might cause more damage. Also, do not wait to see any symptoms or what happens after the ingestion; it’s more likely your pet will make a full recovery if you act fast.
In addition, remember to keep all potentially poisonous substances, flowers, foods and plants well out of your Schnauzer’s reach. Ultimately, prevention is the best possible option.
And finally, from one pet parent to another, discover my all-time favorite resources designed to cover your every Schnauzer need. I’ve done the legwork for you so you can spend more time with the people and fur friends in your life.
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