Protection for Our Pets

An article entitled, “Bitterant Placed in Antifreeze to Protect Pets” written by RJ appeared on the site:  www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/ars/article/Bitterant-placed-in-antifreeze-to-protect-pets and I felt it was worth passing along.  All antifreeze and engine coolant manufactured for sale in the United States for the purchase by consumers will contain a bitter flavoring agent to deter pets from wanting to lap it up.   

He states that the Consumer Specialty Products Association (CSPA) along with the Humane Society Legislative Fund has passed laws in seventeen sates to require the addition of denatonium benzoate.    Phil Klein, executive vice president, legislative and public affairs for CSPA says that all 50 states where antifreeze and engine coolant are manufactured are placing the bitterant in their products.  

I know that animals are curious and will eat about anything, but I didn’t realize that over 10,000 animals are being poisoned each year from ingesting ethylene glycol.  The reason animals will lick the antifreeze is because it smells and tastes sweet.  It only takes one teaspoon of antifreeze or engine coolant to kill an average-sized cat. 

Manufactures can place all the warning labels they want on their products, but it animals owners don’t take the necessary precautions and act responsible poisonings will continue to happen.  Owning pets is an investment in time, money and requires responsible actions on the owner’s part.  Our pets cannot read nor can they detect that just because something smells and tastes good it isn’t good for their health and well being. 

Dogs rely on their sense of smell to sniff out wild birds for their human hunting companion and are even being trained to sniff out 100 year old bones.  A dog’s sense of smell if so keenly developed that being able to locate a sweet smelling poison such as antifreeze doesn’t surprise me.   Keep all poisons up high enough that your dog cannot jump up and knock it down.  If you happen to spill some on the garage floor clean it immediately.  Sand or cat litter works very well to absorb all the liquid and then it can be easily swept up and thrown away.   

Keeping our pets safe and happy is a priority at www.caninecratestore.com ; I invite you to visit our store and find the crate that is perfect for your pet.