Pet Hazards

Animal Poison Control Center
(888) 426-4435

If you suspect your pet has ingested a hazardous substance, please contact Poison Control IMMEDIATELY.
They will assign you a Case number and direct you to the next steps.

Illustration of a line of Dog and Cat Backs

As beautiful as Southwest Florida is, there are many things that could potentially harm our four-legged friends. From the food on the table to plants around the house and more, there are many things to be cautious of.

Click on the links below for What to Avoid:

~ Toxic Foods
and Grain is NOT bad*

~ Toxic Plants

~ Household Items

~ Predators and other Deadly Creatures

Weather Hazards

Here are some important safety tips for those very hot & cold days:

Pets Safety Tips: Seasonal Pet Care. Hot Weather: Don't leave your pet in the car, Keep your pet hydrated, Know signs of overheating, Keep paws away from hot pavement. Cold Weather: Keep pets indoors, Tap on the hood before starting your car, Protect your dog with a warm dry coat when outdoors, Check and wipe their paws

Sign: In high summer temperatures, dog's paws could get burnt! Attention: The ground can get much hotter than the surrounding air: Air temperature 25 degrees Celsius / 77 degrees Fahrenheit = Asphalt temperature 52 C / 125 F; Air 31 C / 87 F = Asphalt 62 C / 143 F; Air 35 C / 95 F = Asphalt 65 C / 149 F. How to avoid burn: -'Seven-second test': If the back of your hand can't stand the heat on the asphalt, it's too hot for a walk. -Walk your dog on grass or in meadows. -Walk your dog at times when the ground is cooler - early in the morning or late in the evening.

Chart: How hot is too hot? Risk levels 1-5. 1: No evidence of risk: Have fun outside! 2. Risk is unlikely: Have fun outside, but be careful! 3. Unsafe potential, depending on breed. Keep an eye on your pet outdoors. 4. Dangerous weather developing. Use caution. 5. Potentially life-threatening heat. Avoid prolonged outdoor activity. 60 degrees F - Level 1 for Small, Medium, and Large Dogs. 65 F - Levels 1 for Sm., Med. Level 2 for Lg.; 75 F - Level 2 for Sm., Med., Level 3 for Lg.; 75 F - Level 3 for ALL; 80 F - Level 3 for Sm., Med., Level 4 for Lg.; 85 F - Level 4 for Sm., Med., Level 5 for Large; 90 and 95 F - Level 5 for ALL. Add one level of risk for Obese, Brachycephalic breed, Under 6 months old or elderly dogs. Decrease 1 Level of risk if area is shaded from sun or if water is available. Petplan chart. Gopetplan.com

Illustration: 3 Snowflakes - Light Blue, Grey, Dark Blue

Chart: How cold is too cold? Levels 1-5. 1. No evidence of risk: Have fun outside! 2. Risk is unlikely: Have fun outside, but be careful! 3. Unsafe potential, depending on breed. Keep an eye on your pet outdoors. 4. Dangerous weather developing. Use caution. 5. Potentially life-threatening cold. Avoid prolonged outdoor activity. 15-10 degrees Celsius / 60-50 F - Level 1 for Small, Medium, and Large dogs. 7 C / 45 F - Level 2 for Sm., Med., Level 1 for Lg. 4 C / 40 F - Level 3 for Sm., Med., Level 2 for Lg. 1 to negative 1 C / 35-30 F - Level 3 for ALL. Neg. 4 C / 25 F - Level 4 for Sm., Med., Level 3 for Lg. Negative 6 C / 20 F - Level 5 for Sm., Level 4 for Med., Level 3 for Lg. Negative 9 C / 15 F - Level 5 for Sm., Level 4 for Med., Lg. Negative 12 C / 10 F or LOWER - Level 5 for ALL. Add TWO levels of risk if wet weather is present. Decrease one level of risk if a Northern breed or heavy coat or if the dog is acclimated to cold.

Burnt Store Animal Hospital

Cute Illustration of Cats, Dogs looking up

16480 Burnt Store Road, Suite 106B
Punta Gorda, Florida 33955

(239) 315-0729

Call for an Appointment

EMERGENCY WALK-INS welcome
(Please CALL AHEAD to ensure we can accommodate you)

Email us at [email protected]

Office Hours

Monday: 8:00AM-6:00PM
Tuesday: 8:00AM-6:00PM
Wednesday: 8:00AM-8:00PM
Thursday: 8:00AM-6:00PM
Friday: 8:00AM-6:00PM
Saturday: 9:00AM-5:00PM
Sunday: 10:00AM-4:00PM

CLOSED: New Year's Day, Easter, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas

Holiday Hours: Wednesday, December 18 - Closing early for Staff Holiday Dinner; hours 8:00am - 2:00pm. Tuesday, December 24th 8:00am-1:00pm. Wednesday, December 25th: CLOSED for Christmas Day. Thursday, December 26th: 8:00am - 1:00pm

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​​Pet Hazards​

Animal Poison Control Center(888) 426-4435

​​~ ​Toxic Foodsand Grain is NOT bad*

​~ ​Toxic Plants