The other night I was in the kitchen cooking spaghetti and making a fresh salad when my BFF (best furry friend) Boogie wanted a mushroom. I started to hand him a bite and stopped myself. “Is it ok for him to eat? Will it make him sick? Can this really hurt him?” So I decided to bust out the ole Google machine and do some research.

Here are a few myths busted about what’s safe for your pet to ingest, courtesy of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center:

• MYTH #1 Giving your dog beer is no big deal.  FALSE. Experts say that even a small amount of alcohol can disorient an animal, and lead to an injury.
• MYTH #2 All mushrooms are poisonous. FALSE. Just like with humans, the mushrooms you buy in the grocery store are perfectly safe for dogs and cats. But the ones that grow in the woods or your backyard are likely to be toxic.
• MYTH #3 Plants are a safe snack for cats. FALSE. Grass may be fine. But even small amounts of plants like tulip bulbs, poinsettias, lilies, or geraniums, can cause everything from kidney failure to heart problems and death.
• MYTH #4 If your pet eats a pill you dropped, it can’t really hurt them.  FALSE. Over-the-counter pills and prescription meds for people pose huge health risks for pets, especially pain relievers. So if you drop a pill on the floor, find it ASAP. And if your pet gets to it first, call your vet. If you’d like to go further, log onto the website ASPCA.org and click on Animal Poison Control.

There ya have it! The ASPCA has an extensive list of do’s and don’ts for you so head over and check it out and hug your fur babies tight!

Erin~