According to CBS news, one poison control center in Ohio received nearly 1500 calls over the course of 15 years about possibly poisoning from pet medications, and about 1200 of those were about children under the age of five.  With last summer's debacle on the risk of the popular and colorful laundry pods posing a risk for kids, its clear that children, particularly young children, can't always tell the difference between what's candy and what's not.

I know I'm guilty of leaving medication within easy reaching distance on an open counter top.  It's an easy mistake.  After all, it's pet medicine, not human medicine.  And luckily, most cases resulted in only a mild incident with no long-lasting implications, but it's better not to hedge your bets on luck.

It should also be noted that flea and tick medication, as well as chemo medication for the poor pups who need it, can pose particularly strong risks.  Flea and tick medication frequently uses permethrin and tetrachlorvinphos, both of which are labeled by the EPA as "likely to be carcinogenic to humans."  And around toddlers,this can mean the topical medication goes straight into their mouths.

Make sure pet medication is stored out of reach, away from human medication, and in child-proof containers wherever possible.  Double-check to make sure any topical medication has dried before allowing children to pet any fur, and make sure your pet finishes any medication they're given.  Both for their own benefit, and also to make sure little hands don't spot it on the floor and try to eat it.  Toys like the famous KONG treat dispenser filled with peanut butter or other treats can be used to help make sure your pet finishes their medicine without them even knowing.