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Small Animal Poison Prevention: Keep Your Lil’ Critters Safe

Small animals such as rabbits, ferrets, hamsters, guinea pigs and domesticated rodents are especially popular companions for the under-13 set. And while it’s essential that these little pets have ample time to play outside their cages, it's important to recognize that they're at high risk for exposure to harmful substances and circumstances in the home.

In the past five years, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) has treated nearly 3,000 cases of small pet poisonings. “We see a lot of ibuprofen toxicities, especially in ferrets,” says ASPCA Senior Veterinary Toxicologist Dr. Eric Dunayer. “And domesticated rodents—who often escape from their cages—frequently ingest rat and mouse poisons.”

The ASPCA offers some smart tips for keeping your critters safe and sound:

• Keep all prescription and over-the-counter medications secured in bathroom cabinets, not on nightstands or counters, where they can be easily disturbed.
• Avoid giving small pets chocolate, onion, avocado or any food that’s high in fat or salt. Rabbits and mice are particularly sensitive to avocado, which can lead to respiratory distress, heart problems and even death.
• Hang or place houseplants out of the path of crawling critters. Azalea, rhododendron and schefflera—to name a few—are toxic to small pets, and can cause various complications, such as heart problems and irritation of the mouth and throat.
• Tuck away all appliance cords and electrical wires which can cause burns or electrocution if nibbled on by pets. Also, remember to cover heating and cooling floor vents, which are potential traps for small animals.

To ensure accident-free playtime, it’s a good idea to supervise your pets at all times when they’re outside of cages. For more information about small pet care, please visit our website. If you have little critters and little kids in the home, check out Animaland’s handy guide for young pet parents.

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