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For the last 46 years, the third week in March has been designated as National Animal Poison Prevention Week.
The week was chosen to coincide with National Poison Prevention Week, which highlights the dangers of poisons for humans of all ages and promotes community involvement in poison prevention. Pet Poison Prevention Week operates much the same, promoting awareness of potentially toxic products in our homes to keep our beloved furry family members safe.
Keep reading to learn more about this week and how you can observe it.
When Did Pet Poison Prevention Week Begin?
There is no exact start date for Animal Poison Prevention Week, though the Pet Poison Hotline states it has been in effect for 46 years.
The National Safety Council first started promoting the National Poison Prevention week for humans in 1961. The animal version was a natural extension of the observance, so focus could be put on protecting our human and animal family members.
Why Raise Awareness?
Raising awareness is essential as so many pet owners are unaware of the dangers lurking in their homes. According to WebMD Pet Health Center, there are over 232,000 cases of pet poisoning in the United States every year.1 The more pet owners are aware of the seemingly innocuous but potentially toxic substances in their homes, the fewer cases of poisoning there will be.
In 2022, the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) reported handling more than four million cases of potential pet toxicity since its inception.2 The APCC is a 24/7/365 hotline that pet parents can call when they believe their pet may have come into contact with a toxic substance.
In 2021 alone, the APCC reported call volume increasing by 22%. That year, their team helped over 401,000 animals of all sizes and species across America.
How to Observe National Animal Poison Prevention Week
1. Educate yourself
The best way to observe Animal Poison Prevention Week is to educate yourself on the common household dangers that could have severe implications for your pets. The ASPCA website is a fantastic learning tool that we highly recommend.
Check out this page for information about poisonous plants, people’s foods, and household products that could harm your pet.
2. Pet-proof your home
When you know the common dangers lurking in your home, you can take the next step by pet-proofing your space.
Lock up your medication or store it somewhere you know your pet can’t reach.
Use child-proof locks for the cupboards where you store your cleaning supplies.
Donate your dangerous plants and opt for pet-friendly ones instead.
When you’re fully educated about what could potentially poison your pet, you must spread that knowledge with your friends and family members.
What Dangers Are There?
Many household items could pose a potentially severe risk to your pets.
- Over-the-counter medication (e.g., pain medication, vitamins, herbal supplements, etc.)
- Human prescriptions
- Foods (e.g., Xylitol, grapes, onions, garlic, chocolate, etc.)
- Veterinary products (e.g., flavored medications and misread labels)
- Flowers (e.g., some types of lilies are toxic to cats)
- Fertilizers
- Pest control products
Conclusion
Be sure to mark down the third week of March in your calendar so you can observe National Animal Poison Prevention Week.
Pet poison awareness is an essential part of responsible pet ownership. Use this week in March as an excuse to brush up on your knowledge and pass the word along to your friends and family members.
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Featured Image Credit: one photo, Shutterstock
