Dangers of Wood Pellet Litter Besides possibly causing an intestinal blockage, wood pellet litter may break into sharp pieces that could damage your pup's intestines, causing serious infections as they pass through them, warns WebMD. Has he eaten some Breeze pellets? The lumber used to make wood pellet litter may have been treated with chemicals to prevent insect infestations and the growth of mold and other microorganisms, according to the Virginia Department of Health. Are wood pellets toxic to dogs? Please enter your information to confirm. Although serious cases of poisoning are rare, they can cause stomach problems, vomiting and intestinal blockages. Wet pellets will turn into sawdust and can be composted. Its hardiness makes it a more pet-friendly ground cover. A curious puppy may mistake your kitty's wood pellet litter for yummy kibble and decide to eat it. Ugh, has your dog been at the kittys litter box again? The ingredients in common fish food brands are non-toxic for dogs and there should be no long-term ill effects. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide whether or not they want to consume wood pellets. Nonetheless, some pellet manufacturers decide to include additional binders or additives to amplify specific features. If your fur baby ate only a couple of small pieces of sawdust, he would more than likely be OK. On the other hand, if he happened to snarf up a . sawdust should never be consumed by your dog. As an added bonus, elfin thyme produces pretty, purple flowers in the summer. If possible, select wood pellets made without any chemical additives to minimize the risk of toxicity. When these little cylinders get caught in the canines throat, they restrict airflow through the respiratory tract, resulting in life-threatening scenarios. Treatment will depend on the diagnosis. Conkers and acorns: These are toxic to dogs. Remember, chocolate is toxic for dogs, so anything from the cocoa plant is also. Blue green algae are present throughout the United States and its occurrence is not only limited to summer months. Being vigilant in monitoring dogs around wood pellets ultimately contributes to their overall health and safety. However, some manufacturers choose to add chemical additives to improve properties such as combustion efficiency and durability. Shrubs That Are Poisonous to Dogs Azalea and Rhododendron: Used in landscaping and found in the wild, the entire genus is extremely dangerous for dogs. Request an estimate and design consultation today by filling out our short form These symptoms may not occur straight away after eating the wood pellets, and seeking prompt medical attention gives your pet the best chance of a good recovery. Discourage your dog from chewing on pine or wood in general. Summer is a great time to get outdoors and enjoy nature and the warm sunshine with your pet. Customers satisfied with the service were 23,596. Once he gets a clean bill of health, keep wood pellet litter out of the reach of Fido's paws. To rid the urine odor completely you will want to treat the odor problem at its source with a urine odor eliminator formula. Im dedicated to helping people and their dogs build strong relationships based on mutual respect and trust. Cat Behavior Associates: How to Keep Your Dog out of the Litter Box, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: Pica (Eating Things That Aren't Food), Only Angels: How to Raise and Train the Perfect Sighthound; Cherie Fehrman, Virginia Department of Health: Letter Health Consultation -- American Wood Fibers. There are only a few toxic species of Persin that can harm dogs, but depending on how much is consumed, it can cause vomiting, upset stomachs, and diarrhea. JustAnswer does not provide EMERGENCY advice; rather, it is intended to provide quick, accurate answers to questions that should be directed to a qualified source. This soft, mat-like ground cover can take partial or full sun and requires consistent watering that will need to increase with temperature. Another danger? If you believe your pet ingested any item of concern, it is important to call your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline, a 24/7 animal poison control center, at 1-800-213-6680 right away to have the risk of poisoning assessed. For most dogs, cedar wood chips to not cause breathing issues, but it is worth testing out before you fill your yard with them, and then find out your dog cannot tolerate them. If your dog eats dirt or wood, there are risks associated with it. Whats in fertilizer?Most lawn fertilizers contain natural elements (such as nitrogen, potash and phosphorous) often represented by numbers such as 10:0:40. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. FAQ What Is The Average Life Span Of A Cat? Also, wooden furniture is often treated with chemicals that can make your dog sick. If he were a bigger dog, they'd probably just work their way through, but with smaller dogs come smaller intestines, so I'd have the vet take a peek..just to be safe. You may find that some larger dogs will have issues with small gravel getting stuck between the pads of their paws. Labrador violet sure has a fitting name for the purpose of this article! I will do whatever I can to assist them in any way I can. Blockages can occur within a dogs gastrointestinal tract when exposed to large quantities of wood pellets; this creates a condition known as a gastrointestinal obstruction which hinders proper digestion and elimination functions. below. The majority of pesticides will cause vomiting and diarrhea; however, in large doses, certain ingredients can result in more significant problems including neurologic abnormalities. The fact is that the pellets can make your dog sick. The wood pellets do, however, contain food-grade soybean oil. Yes, that is a cat, and evidently they love laying in euonymus fortunei, which can grow up to six inches tall. She was brought to the vet. Professionals should assist pet owners in dealing with their animals. Make sure there is enough shade, as well as a cool spot for your dog to rest, especially in order to prevent digging to find cooler soil. The environmental benefits of using wood pellets as a fuel are obvious. This means they will sit in your dog's digestive tract, which could cause a major problem such as intestinal obstruction, peritonitis (inflammation of the stomach lining), loss of blood circulation to the stomach or parts of the intestine, and more. Some snail and slug baits are extremely poisonous to dogs and cats. Wood pellets can cause gastrointestinal blockage if they expand in the stomach, which is frequently an indication of a blocked digestive tract; wood pieces can also cause irritation to the interior surface of the gastrointestinal tract. While there is no antidote available for either zinc phosphide or bromethalin, aggressive treatment is very important to ensure the best chance of survival for your pet. Lets get started! give safe dog chew toys instead of wood or sticks. Breeze pellets are put out by Tidy Cats (by Purina) and are part of a cat litter system that makes it easier to keep odors down and clean the litter box at the same time. The problem, however, is that the pellets are made from wood. When cooking or using pellets, carbon monoxide can accumulate in the ozone layer. They are a renewable resource that is not subject to the same environmental concerns as other forms of energy. What if my dog was poisoned by mulch or fertilizer? To protect your canine companion from the potential hazards that wood pellets may pose, it is vital to establish preventative protocols. Because puppies are so small, it doesn't take much litter to create a blockage, so it's best to get Fido to the vet immediately if he's been snacking on wood pellet litter. However, there are also mushrooms that can cause gastrointestinal irritation, neurologic abnormalities, and liver failure. WebMD: Intestinal Obstruction and Gastrointestinal Foreign Bodies in Dogs, PetPlace.com: Dog Ate Clumping Cat Litter -- Vets Advice On Dog that Ate Clumping Litter. The use of wood pellets as an alternative energy source has become increasingly popular among homeowners over recent years; however it poses inherent risks for companion animals such as dogs who may come into contact with this substance daily. Wood pellet litter also may contain toxins. No, the pellets are not toxic to dogs. 1084 N El Camino Real STE B #156, Encinitas, CA 92024. This oil is not only toxic if taken orally, but it can also be absorbed through your dog's skin or breathed into the lungs. Pine pellets, on the other hand, are difficult to clean and absorbent. If your dog becomes ill, vomiting or arching their back in pain, get him to a veterinarian as soon as possible. If any of these symptoms appear in your pet, you should consult a veterinarian. It is commonly believed that the dyes used to color many widely available wood chips and bark is not toxic to dogs; however, it is best to choose wood products that are not dyed if you have a dog that likes snack on them. Regularly inspect the area where you store your wood pellets, checking for signs of spills, leaks, or damage to the storage container. Eating even small amounts of moldy food containing tremorgenic mycotoxins can result in the development of clinical signs within only 30 minutes of ingestion. When do I know I need to take him to the doctor? This tiny, lesser-known sedum (hence, no photo) can take quite a bit of foot traffic and reseeds itself, if damaged. During your pup's exam, your vet will test Fido for health issues and possibly remove any remaining wood pellets from his tummy. This is what clumping cat litter is: it is a collection of small, hard clumps of clay and dust that are kept by cats. Bald Eagle Rescue Photos: Closeup of Talons, Keeping Your Pets Safe from Garage Hazards, The Dangers Chocolate, Raisins, Grapes and Caffeine Present to Dogs, This Popular Peanut Butter Ingredient Could Kill Your Dog, Difficulty breathing (due to bronchoconstriction), A thorough examination at your veterinarians office, Xrays (to see if the material has passed out of the stomach or not). The pellets are 99.9% dust-free and only need to be changed out once a month. Your beloved four-legged companion needs extra care as they may accidentally ingest or come into contact with these hazardous materials while playing indoors. Pets can inhale formaldehyde from new fabrics, wood-veneer furniture, laminated flooring, wood paneling and doors made of particleboard, plywood, and . University of California, Davis issued a report stating that tall fescue tolerates lawn burn from pet urine better than other grasses, which is great news for dog lovers. A minimum of 15 years of experience as a small animal veterinarian is required. In the event that your canine friend manifests any signs of unease after encountering wooden pellets or if you suspect that they have devoured a significant quantity of them, it is crucial to get in touch with your local veterinary services immediately. Yards with shade are good candidates for using gravel as a ground cover over larger areas. That said, there is still a small amount of theobromine (the chemical that results in chocolate poisoning) remaining in the mulch and when ingested in large amounts, this can cause signs of chocolate poisoning. During the creation of pellets from wood, lignin plays a significant role by acting as a binder when exposed to heat and pressure. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Before you let your pet go near a body of water, take a few minutes to do some investigating. Proudly serving San Diego County, California. Identifying mushrooms can be very difficult, and it is important to seek veterinary care for your pet right away if any wild mushroom is ingested. These cleaners are absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and metabolized by the liver on its way to the kidneys, where the toxins are excreted through the urine. Pine is a soft wood that can splinter under a dog's teeth and cause a blockage. Clear Acrylic Modern Dog Gates: A Stylish Way to Secure Your Pup at Home, A Female Dogs Ovaries And Uterus Are Removed Through An Incision In Her Abdomen After She Is Spayed, 3 Things To Keep In Mind When Using A Heating Pad In A Dog House, The Cliff House: A Historic Restaurant With A Stunning View, How To Turn A Storage Shed Into A Dog House, To Sweater Or Not To Sweater: That Is The Question, How To Reduce The Amount Of Dog Hair In Your House. This includes oak, black walnut, cherry, red maple and peach trees. To avoid gravity-related accidents, ensure access points for pellet stoves or heaters are inaccessible to pets. Grilling can be done with pellets that have been primed with Pellet Fillers to ensure consistent burns. For example, if there are areas where he or she likes to pace. Examples include: These organic meals are widely utilized as soil amendment products, fertilizer components, or as deer, rabbit and wildlife repellants. The iron-based baits tend to be safer than metaldehyde bait, but they can still cause stomach upset.
