Oh rats! Adorable in an animated movie but in real life, if it’s not your pet, it’s a problem. Rats can carry disease and destroy wiring, drywall, and other essential parts of your home. From countryside to city living, humans have a rat population problem we try to control. That means exterminators are setting traps, which can be dangerous—and even fatal—to pets.
PICK YOUR POISON
There are plenty of rodenticides (the fancy name for rat poisons) on the market that are effective. However, there are ingredients that are toxic to dogs and other pets. Here’s what you should know about common rat poisons and your pet.
CHOLECALCIFEROL AKA VITAMIN D3
This is commonly found as an active ingredient in rat poisons like d-CON. If dogs ingest it, a large amount of calcium is released into the bloodstream. This leads to acute kidney failure and multi-organ failure within days without treatment.
SIGNS OF VITAMIN D3 POISONING
Once ingested, your pet may show signs of poisoning within 12-48 hours. Act fast if you notice any or all of the signs below:
Weakness
Increased thirst/drooling
Decreased appetite
Increased urination
ANTICOAGULANTS
Chlorpophacinone, diphacinone, warfarin, and other anticoagulants are present in some rodenticides. An anticoagulant disrupts blood clotting and leads to internal bleeding. Without treatment, ingesting it can quickly be fatal.
SIGNS OF ANTICOAGULANT POISONING
It may take a few days for your dog or cat to show signs of poisoning. Some symptoms to keep an eye out for are:
Weakness
Increased heart rate
Breathing problems/coughing
No interest in food
Bloating/swelling
Bleeding from mouth or nose
BROMETHALIN
Commonly found in the Tomcat brand, bromethalin rodenticides cause neurological disturbances including wobbling, seizures, and death. Treatment is needed as soon as possible.
SIGNS OF BROMETHALIN POISONING
Symptoms of poisoning from bromethalin vary from mild to severe. Here are some signs:
Lethargy
Loss of muscle tone
Tremors/seizures
Paralysis
KNOW WHAT YOU’RE PUTTING DOWN
Keep your dog safe from rat poison by simply setting the bait in a place your pet can’t get to, but where pesky mice or rats can. Read the packaging before you use any household poison, noting the ingredients. In an emergency, a veterinarian will ask what was ingested. Knowing the brand name and the active ingredient saves precious time.