The Dangerous Chemical That's Lurking All Around Your House

During the Winter months, antifreeze is a common substance used in our cars for obvious reasons, but antifreeze can also be found in other areas of the home, according to Dr. Denise Petryk, on-staff veterinarian at Trupanion. The toxic chemical, which has a sweet taste to animals, can also be found in paint, snow globes, solar water heaters, and bases of free-standing basketball hoops.

Symptoms of antifreeze ingestion can include staggering, loss of balance, excessive water consumption, depression, abdominal sensitivity, and seizures. Your pet will need an antidote within a few hours of ingesting any antifreeze, so act quickly if you suspect an issue.

Dr. Petryk recommends always keeping new and used antifreeze containers safely out of the way of pets and making sure the bottles are wiped down of any leaks. Also clean up any spills immediately. It is always good to be extra careful where highly toxic chemicals are concerned.