Lead poisoning is not just a concern for children; it can also pose a significant risk to pets, including dogs, cats, and even birds.
Pet owners may unknowingly expose their animals to lead through various sources, such as old paint, contaminated soil, and certain pet products. While cases are rare, lead poisoning can have severe effects on pets, leading to symptoms like wobbliness, gastrointestinal issues, and even seizures.
“Oh, my goodness, so many of us love our dogs as much as our children. So we don’t want that for our four-legged friends either,” said Laura Sauereisen, a pet owner concerned about lead exposure in her older home.
“They start to get drunk like they can get wobbly. They can have GI signs. They can end up seizing and dying,” explained Dr. Mike Hutchinson, a veterinarian with 39 years of experience.
According to the ASPCA Poison Control, out of 245,000 calls received in 2025, 96 were related to lead poisoning in pets. The cases mostly involved dogs, some cats, and even one bird that chewed on a lead paperweight.
Dr. Hutchinson advises pet owners to avoid using ceramic bowls, which can leach lead over time, and to be cautious with pet toys, especially those not made in the United States due to less stringent regulations.
Pet owners can test their pet products for lead using at-home test kits available online or at hardware stores. The ASPCA Poison Center is available for assistance 24/7 at 888-426-4435, although there is a charge for their service.
Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.
Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
©2025 Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/XCUXZC2XYZHCRGNNGKFEX6U3LQ.png)
