Apples and crabapples are safe for people, but not all parts of the plant are safe for pets. Seeds, stems, and leaves contain harmful compounds, and rotten fruit can create additional risks. Read more about this.

Autumn crocus is beautiful but extremely dangerous for dogs and cats. Read along to discover the possible signs seen with ingestion of this beautiful, but dangerous, plant.

Batteries are everywhere in our homes—inside remotes, toys, key fobs, flashlights, and hearing aids. Unfortunately, if a dog chews or swallows a battery, it can quickly become a medical emergency.

When a battery is punctured or swallowed, the alkaline or acidic material inside can leak out, causing severe corrosive injury to the mouth, throat, esophagus, or stomach.

Mothballs are small, round pesticide products commonly used in closets, drawers, and storage bins to repel or kill moths and other fabric-eating insects. They may seem harmless, but to dogs and cats they can be highly toxic. Pets often find them interesting because of their smell or play-like shape, which can lead to accidental chewing or swallowing.

Peace lilies contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. When ingested, these sharp crystals embed into tissues of the mouth and throat, causing immediate pain and irritation.

Silica gel packets, often found in shoes, bags, or pill bottles, are generally low toxicity for pets. The main risks are stomach upset and, if a whole packet is swallowed, possible obstruction.

Chrysanthemums contain natural insecticidal compounds that can upset your pet’s stomach or worse. Even small amounts can cause drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Marijuana can be toxic to pets. Even small amounts—especially edibles or concentrated oils—can cause serious signs like wobbliness, urine dribbling, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to touch (often around the head). Learn more.

Moldy foods/compost/trash can contain a mold that leads to neurological signs in your dog. Learn more here.

Anti-histamines are sometimes prescribed by veterinarians to help with allergies in dogs, but beware that the product you select does not contain pseudoephedrine, which can be highly toxic!

Polyurethane-based construction adhesives, often used for home repairs, can react with moisture and create a solid foam mass in the stomach. This leads to a dangerous gastric obstruction, bloat-like signs, and even ulceration. Emegency call to animal poison control is needed, and likely emergency veterinary care will follow.

Tiki torch oil might look harmless—but it’s toxic if inhaled or ingested by pets.

Even small exposures can lead to chemical pneumonia, vomiting, or worse. Learn more here.

Did you know a swallowed penny can be toxic to pets?

Pennies minted after 1982 contain over 97 percent zinc. When ingested, that zinc can destroy red blood cells and damage organs.

Signs of toxicity may include vomiting, pale gums, orange urine, weakness.

Nicotine is highly toxic to pets—and exposures are more common than you’d think. Dogs and cats can be poisoned by cigarettes, vape liquid, nicotine gum, patches, and even cigarette butts.

Symptoms may appear in as little as 15–60 minutes:

– Vomiting or drooling

– Agitation or tremors

– Fast heart rate or breathing

– Weakness, seizures, or collapse

Nicotine affects the nervous system and can be deadly—especially in small pets.

If you think your pet ingested nicotine call animal poison control immediately

ASPCA animal poison control center: 888-426-4435

Slime is a fun activity for kids and adults, but depending on the composition of the slime, toxicity is possible. Read along to see the concern with slime. Always contact animal poison control centers if your pet may have ingested slime, or anything else you are concerned about.

Playdough is very common in homes with kids, but if ingested, it may pose a health hazard for pets. The amount ingested, the dog’s weight and health all factor into concern for toxicity. If your pet ingests playdough, the safest action is to contact animal poison control centers for a consultation.

Paintballs can be very dangerous for our pets. If toxicity is suspected, a call to animal poison control is necessary. Read more.

Rodenticides (mouse/ rat bait) are very dangerous to pets. Anti-coagulant rodenticides have a very safe antidote and carry and excellent prognosis, as long as treatment is initiated rapidly. Read the article to learn more.

While the exact toxin is unknown, Macadamia nuts can be toxic to dogs! Any exposure should be evaluated with animal poison control1 Read our article to learn more about this toxin.

Azaleas are beautiful plants, but their ingestion be dogs/ cats can cause some serious signs. If you suspect your pet ingested azaleas— call animal poison control. Read the article to learn more.