Common Household Poisons

Xylitol poisoning - sugar substitute poses serious health risk to dogs
If you buy sugar-free products with xylitol, be sure to keep them out of reach of your pooch. According to stats from the Animal Poison Control Center of the ASPCA, xylitol poisonings have risen dramatically since 2005, probably due to the large number of items that now contain this substance. Just think of all the sugar-free products you may have in your purse or pantry -- candy, gum, breath fresheners, nicotine gum, and even some vitamins and nutritional supplements. Xylitol can also be found in items like toothpaste, sunscreen, moisturizer and cosmetics.

Frighteningly, it doesn't take much of this chemical to harm your dog, and the danger is immediate. Dogs who ingest xylitol could develop a sudden drop in blood sugar, resulting in depression, loss of coordination and seizures. Moreover, there appears to be a strong link between xylitol and liver failure in some dogs.

If you dog ingests xylitol, get him or her to your pet or emergency clinic immediately -- minutes count, and your quick action could save your dog's life.

Popular Sago Palm plants toxic to pets
Sago palm (Cycas revolute)—a stocky member of the Cycad family of plants—is downright dangerous to our furry companions. According to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), pet poisonings from the increasingly popular plant are on the rise. Since 2003, the Center has seen an increase in cases of Sago palm and Cycad poisonings by more than 200 percent. APCC data also reveals that 50 percent to 75 percent of those cases resulted in fatalities. Common signs of Sago palm poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, depression, seizures and liver failure, and all parts of the plant are toxic if ingested.