Household Chemicals and Your Pets

Common Sense when ridding your home of pests:

• Plug up any holes where pests can sneak into the home.
• Remove all food sources.
• Keep all chemicals, powders, traps and baits out of kitty's reach.
• As with cleaners, cats can become exposed to pesticides either directly by licking off their paws, but they can also be exposed indirectly, by eating an affected rodent.
• Try other non-toxic options like glue traps or rodent live traps.
• Ask your exterminator what chemicals are being used and request an information sheet.
• Refuse anything but anticoagulant poisons. (If your cat has been exposed, he can be treated with vitamin K.)
• If you have any questions, call your veterinarian or the National Pesticide Information Center (800-858-7378.) They can refer you to a company that uses some of the least toxic or organic pest control methods.
• Never set off a bug bomb in a house with a pet inside. Even if the cat is in another room, the air conditioner can circulate toxic mist to his refuge in just a short time.
• Better to take him to a friend's house, the veterinarian's office or even wait in a carrier outside under a tree.
• If you suspect that your cat has ingested any poison directly or indirectly, you should make a note of the substance and call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 800-548-2423. The 800 number charges a $50 flat fee to a major credit card.
• You can learn about more substances that could hurt your cat at www.aspca.org.

Dusty Rainbolt is an award winning cat writer. Dusty is currently working on a paranormal mystery, Death under the Crescent Moon. In her spare time, Dusty writes product review for Catnip and Whole Cat journal so she can get cat bowls and other free stuff. She also co-authors a monthly column with Hobbes Egan for City & Country Pets.