HOT TIP FOR COLD WEATHER: ANTIFREEZE IS HAZARDOUS TO YOUR PET'S HEALTH
 

As much of the country begins to settle in for a long winter's nap, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) urges pet owners to step up precautions against the dangers that your furred friends may face outdoors. Antifreeze, for example, can be fatal to dogs and cats if ingested--even in very tiny doses. As little as one teaspoon of ethylene glycol antifreeze can be deadly to a cat; less than four teaspoons can be dangerous to a 10-pound dog. Note our poison prevention tips to keep your pets safe this season

• Clean up any spills from your vehicle immediately.
• Regularly check your car for leaks.
• Store antifreeze in clearly marked containers in areas that are off-limits to your pets.
• Never allow your animal companions access to the area when you are draining radiator fluid from your car.
• Consider switching to a propylene glycol-based antifreeze, which is significantly less toxic than conventional ethylene glycol antifreeze. This will provide an added margin of safety for pets and wildlife, but remember--no antifreeze is absolutely safe.

If you suspect that your pet has ingested antifreeze--or any poisonous substance--call your veterinarian or the APCC's emergency hotline at (888) 4-ANI-HELP for round-the-clock telephone assistance. For more information on poison prevention, visit APCC online.

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