Autumn is when many households start preparing cars and homes for colder months. Coolant gets topped off, garages get cleaned out and products that have sat on a shelf all summer come back into use. For pets, the garage can be one of the most hazardous places in the home, and fall is a good time for a safety check.
Why Antifreeze Is So Dangerous
Many traditional antifreeze and engine coolant products contain ethylene glycol. It is highly toxic to dogs and cats, and a small amount can be enough to cause serious harm. Ethylene glycol has a sweet taste, which may make spills more tempting to lick.
In the body, ethylene glycol is broken down into compounds that can severely damage the kidneys. Early signs may include appearing drunk or wobbly, vomiting, increased thirst and lethargy. A pet may then seem to improve for a time while damage is still occurring internally. Treatment is most effective when started very soon after exposure.
If you think your pet has licked or swallowed antifreeze, do not wait for symptoms. Go to a veterinarian or emergency hospital immediately, and call ahead if you can. Poison control lines such as the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) can also help.
Reducing the Antifreeze Risk
- Consider coolant products made with propylene glycol, which is considered less toxic than ethylene glycol, though not risk-free
- Store containers tightly closed and up high, in a locked cabinet if possible
- Clean up any spill or drip immediately and thoroughly
- Check driveways and garage floors for leaks under vehicles
- Keep pets out of the garage while working on cars
- Dispose of used coolant according to your local rules
Antifreeze is sometimes found in other places too, such as some products used to winterize toilets in vacation homes or RVs. Read labels.
Other Common Garage Hazards
While you are cleaning out the garage, look for these as well:
- Rodent bait and insecticides, which may be set out in fall as pests move indoors
- Lawn and garden products, including fertilizers, weed killers and slug bait
- Ice melt, which may be brought out early and can irritate paws or upset the stomach if eaten
- Paints, solvents and cleaners
- Sharp tools, nails and screws
Store chemicals in their original labeled containers, so you know exactly what a pet was exposed to if an accident happens.
Cats and Warm Engines
As nights grow colder, outdoor and community cats may seek warmth under car hoods or in wheel wells. Before starting your car on a cold morning, some owners knock on the hood or honk the horn to give any hiding animal a chance to escape.
Make It a Seasonal Habit
A quick walk-through of the garage each fall takes only a few minutes. Look at it from a pet’s level, secure anything dangerous and keep your veterinarian’s number and the nearest emergency hospital posted nearby. Prevention is far easier than treatment.
