During these winter months our pets are often wondering around the house and they are bored.  They would rather be outside in the sun running around and having fun, however the snow, rain, and cold weather prohibit this from happening. So during this boring time of the year they may get into things they normally would not.  We always talk about what hazards are laying around in your house that can cause issues, but we have never really addressed what is in your handbag that can cause some serious problems.  We will discuss the top 5 hazards hiding in your handbag.

1.   Sugarless gum and breath mints.

Now I know you guys are thinking that you would LOVE for your pet to have fresher breath, this is not the way to do it. J  Many people don’t realize that if your pet ingested these things, it can be fatal. Most sugarless gums and mints contain xylitol, a sweetener that is toxic to dogs. 

If xylitol is ingested, even in small amounts, it can cause a life threatening and rapid drop in blood sugar.  If it is ingested in large amounts your dog can suffer from severe liver failure.  Signs that your pet is suffering from xylitol poisoning include vomiting, weakness, difficulty walking, collapse, tremors, and seizures.

2.   Cigarettes.

It takes only 3 to be fatal for a small dog, depending on the “strength” or “lightness” of the cigarettes.  Signs of distress can be apparent in as little as 15 minutes.  Cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and certain gum (Nicorette) contain nicotine, which is toxic to both dogs and cats.  Exposure can cause high heart rate, high respiratory rates, neurological overstimulation, uncontrolled urination and defecation, tremors, seizures, paralysis, and even death.

3.   Asthma inhalers (albuterol).

Some dogs and cats need to use these inhalers; however, if they are chewed and punctured they can cause a severe, life-threatening, acute poisoning.  Inhalers often contain concentrated doses, dogs that bite into them are exposed to massive amounts of the drugs at once.  This can cause severe poisoning, resulting in life-threatening heart arrhythmias, agitation, vomiting, and collapse.

4.   Human Medications.

Common drugs such as NSAIDS (Advil, Aleve, and Motrin), acetaminophen (Tylenol), and antidepressants (Effexor, Cymbalta, and Prozac) can cause serious harm to dogs and cats when ingested.  NSAIDs can cause stomach and intestinal ulcers as well as kidney failure. 

A single Tylenol tablet containing acetaminophen can be fatal to cats, and in dogs, a larger ingestion can lead to sever liver failure.  Antidepressants can cause neurological problems such as sedation, incoordination, agitation, tremors, and seizures.

Please call the Pet Poison Helpline if you’re pet has ingested any of these types of medication.  The number is 1-800-213-6680

5.   Hand Sanitizer.

This product can be found in almost all purses and backpacks.  Many of these products claim to kill 99-100% of germs; this is possible because they contain high amounts of alcohol. Sometimes they are up to 95% alcohol based.  So if a dog ingests a bottle it can have the same effects as a shot of hard liquor.  This means a severe drop in blood sugar, incoordination, a drop in body temperature, neurological signs, depression, coma, and death. 

There are lots of other things found in handbags and backpacks like coins, keys, toys, and chocolate that can cause problems and pose health risk to your pets.  So just be safe and ensure these things are out of reach for your pets.