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It\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>time for a new school year!<\/span>\u00a0Whether your student is returning to in-person classes or continuing at-home learning options,\u00a0<\/span>remember that many school supplies, as well as common items found in backpacks and lunchboxes, can be toxic or hazardous to our pets.\u00a0<\/span>P<\/span>lease carefully review this list of potential pet toxins and dangers<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>to be extra cautious of this school year!\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Whether lunches are being packed\u00a0in the morning or\u00a0cleaned out at the end of the day, there are multiple\u00a0<\/span>lunchbox\u00a0dangers<\/span><\/a>\u00a0to consider\u00a0when it comes to\u00a0your pet\u2019s safety:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Speaking of xylitol, many kids keep gum and\u00a0<\/span>breath<\/span>\u00a0mints in their backpacks. These items also\u00a0<\/span>contain<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>xylitol<\/span><\/span><\/a>, a sugarless sweetener that can be fatal to dogs<\/span>\u00a0because it\u00a0<\/span>causes\u00a0<\/span>dangerously<\/span>\u00a0low blood sugar.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Standard elementary school glues are not considered\u00a0<\/span>as dangerous as Gorilla Glue<\/a><\/span>\u00a0or wood glue. However<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0the bigger\u00a0<\/span>concern<\/span>\u00a0with\u00a0<\/span>school\u00a0<\/span>glue is the risk of a pet (or small child) g<\/span>etting in eyes or stuck on sensitive mucous membranes like lips<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n If your pet chews on wooden pencils, sharp points and splinters can get lodged in<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0mouth, throat, and intestines.<\/span><\/p>\n Have an artist? If yes – n<\/span>ote that any products with the CL\u00a0<\/span>(Cautionary Labeling) S<\/span>eal are toxic to pets.\u00a0<\/span>(This seal is typically only on a very select few adult art materials and never found on children\u2019s art supplies.)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Paints, clays, and glazes may also be dangerous if inhaled, eaten, or exposed to a pet\u2019s fur and skin.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Some school supplies such as three-ring binders, planners, notebooks with colored plastic, colored paper clips, backpacks, etc. are still made with Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) which is a toxic material to both humans and pets. While shopping, research these items \u2013 often advertised as \u201cvinyl\u201d \u2013 and look for options that do not contain PVC whenever possible!\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Whether for fun or a school project, parents should be<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>ware that\u00a0<\/span><\/span>homemade playdough and slime<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0a<\/span>re<\/span>\u00a0very toxic to pets if eaten.\u00a0<\/span>They<\/span>\u00a0contain extremely high amounts of salt, as well as other ingredients<\/span>, that are\u00a0<\/span>toxic<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>to pets.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Whether remote learning or not, most students need access to a computer, printer, and other electronic devices for homework. This often means more electrical cords throughout the house. Pets who like to chew often go for cords, which can cause electrical injuries.\u00a0<\/span>Another danger?<\/span>\u00a0Alkaline batteries! If your pet bites into your scientific calculator, or another battery-operated device, and punctures the battery, the acidic material can cause severe burns to the mouth, throat, and esophagus.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Many small<\/span>er<\/span>–<\/span>sized<\/span>\u00a0school supplies (erasers, writing utensils, pen caps, paper clips,\u00a0<\/span>rubber bands,\u00a0<\/span>glue sticks, etc<\/span>.<\/span>), as well as any toys your kid keeps in their backpack\u00a0<\/span>like<\/span>\u00a0fidgets, can be<\/span>come<\/span>\u00a0choking hazards for curious pets. If swallowed, these items may cause a blockage in your pet\u2019s stomach or intestines.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A lot more students will\u00a0<\/span>have<\/span>\u00a0hand sanitizer\u00a0<\/span>attached to or inside<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>their backpacks this year.\u00a0<\/span>This is great for the humans, but be careful where hand sanitizer bottles are being placed!\u00a0<\/span>Hand sanitizer\u00a0<\/span>contain<\/span>s<\/span>\u00a0a lot of alcohol (ethanol) to kill all those germs,\u00a0<\/span>and<\/span>\u00a0if your pet consumes even a small\u00a0<\/span>bottle, it can cause alcohol poisoning.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Over-the-counter pain relievers, ADHD medication, and other medications can be very dangerous if pet<\/span>s\u00a0<\/span>get into<\/span>\u00a0them<\/span>. This includes inhalers if punctured or chewed on. Various medications cause different health issues in pets<\/span>\u00a0–\u00a0<\/span>many of these cases are\u00a0<\/span>very\u00a0<\/span>severe<\/span>\u00a0and<\/span>\u00a0sometimes fatal.\u00a0<\/span>Know which of your medications could be a problem for your\u00a0<\/span>pets, and<\/span>\u00a0keep all medications out of reach!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n While not exactly a school supply, separation anxiety in pets is<\/span>\u00a0still<\/span>\u00a0important to address<\/span>\u00a0this time of year<\/span>. Separation anxiety is a distress that manifests in a pet when it\u2019s separated from its owner. Symptoms and severity vary,\u00a0<\/span>but many pets are more likely to\u00a0<\/span><\/span>experience separation anxiety<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0when\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>kids return to school in fall. Separation anxiety can be\u00a0<\/span>hard to treat, so we recommend helping your pet\u00a0<\/span><\/span>prepare<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0for\u00a0<\/span>these\u00a0<\/span>longer\u00a0<\/span>days<\/span>\u00a0spent\u00a0<\/span>at home alone<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>If you have any questions or concerns about separation anxiety, consult with your family veterinarian.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We hope students have a safe school year, and that pets stay out of trouble! The best way to prevent your pet from getting into these school items is for your family to\u00a0<\/span>establish a firm routine of placing school supplies, backpacks, and lunchboxes out of your pet\u2019s reach. If your pet does sneak into a backpack or finds one of these other hazardous items, seek immediate veterinary care from your family veterinarian or local animal emergency hospital.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"back](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/3.png\")
<\/p>\n1. Lunchboxes<\/h4>\n
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2. Gum and Mints<\/h4>\n
3. Glue<\/h4>\n
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<\/p>\n4. Pencils<\/h4>\n
5. Art Supplies<\/h4>\n
6. PVC Supplies<\/h4>\n
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<\/p>\n7. Homemade Playdough\/Slime<\/h4>\n
8. Electronics<\/h4>\n
9. Small Items<\/h4>\n
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<\/p>\n10. Hand Sanitizer<\/h4>\n
11. Medications<\/h4>\n
12. Separation Anxiety<\/span><\/h4>\n
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