As we spend more time at home due to the pandemic the Poison Lines have seen an incredible increase in calls to their centres as a result of our pet’s ingestion everyday items that we have in our house.
Most people would not even think these items are toxic to our pets.
As we continue to look at our top ten pandemic poisons for our pets, at #3 we have
Coffee/ Caffeine
Toxicity Level: Moderate to Severe.
Affects: Cats & Dogs
Call Increase: 220%
Coffee, more so the caffeine within the coffee, tea, chocolate ,soda, energy drinks and some supplements used for weight loss or work outs.
Our pets are more sensitive to the effects of caffeine then us. In a small amount like 1 or 2 licks of the products listed above probably will not affect your pet.
But should your pet ingest unbrewed coffee grounds or tea, soda, energy drinks, chocolate or supplements could lead to serious toxicity in your pet.
Depending on the amount that was ingested you may see some of the following signs.
Symptoms:
Within 1 – 2 hours of ingestion
- Restlessness
- Vomiting
- Hyperactivity
- Restlessness
- Elevated heart rate
- Elevated body temperature (hypothermia)
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- Tremors
Severe cases could result in:
- Collapse
- Seizures
- Death
My Pet ingested a product that contains caffeine. What do I do?
Call your vet or a 24 hour clinic right away.
You can also call the Pet Poison line at 1-855-764-7661 * fee of $65.00 us will apply
Prevention:
- Keep coffee, tea, supplements in a cupboard out of reach of pets
- While using the above make sure none of the contents is dropped on the floor