If your pet ate something toxic
When a pet may have swallowed something harmful, speed and calm matter. This page summarizes steps from the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This page is not veterinary advice.
First, check your pet
The ASPCA says to move your pet away from the substance so it cannot eat more. Look for signs such as vomiting or diarrhea. If you have more than one pet, check every pet in the home.
If your pet is unconscious, having trouble breathing, bleeding or having seizures, go directly to a veterinary clinic. The ASPCA gives the same advice for these life-threatening signs in a second article.
Collect what you can
Gather any packaging or pills. They help identify the substance and how much may have been eaten. If your pet vomited, check whether any of the substance is in the vomit. Take the packaging with you if you go to a clinic.
Call before symptoms appear
The ASPCA says to call its Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or your local veterinarian right away. Do not wait for symptoms, even if your pet is acting normal. The line is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and a consultation fee may apply.
The FDA lists a second center, the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661. It says both centers charge a fee and both are open around the clock.
According to the ASPCA, the center's experts can quickly assess your pet's risk and next steps. If your pet needs a clinic, the center speaks with the local veterinarian and helps with treatment.
What to tell them
The ASPCA says its staff will ask about your pet, so have these ready when you call:
- how your pet is doing
- your pet's breed, age, weight and health history
- what your pet got into, including any packaging or pills
Do not guess at home treatment
The ASPCA warns that rash decisions, especially ones based on internet information, can make things worse. It says to talk to a veterinary professional, like the poison control center, before taking any steps. Texas A&M's veterinary college is more direct: do not try to induce vomiting unless a professional tells you to, because it can delay veterinary attention and cause injury.
Hazards to keep out of reach
The FDA lists many dangerous items. Toxicity varies with the type of animal, the amount eaten and, for plants, which part was eaten. Items on the FDA list include:
- chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, macadamia nuts, salt and yeast dough
- xylitol, a sweetener in some sugar-free gum, candy, cough syrup, mouthwash and toothpaste, which the FDA identifies as toxic to dogs
- human medicines; the FDA says acetaminophen is fatal to cats
- antifreeze, rat and mouse bait, household cleaners, pool chemicals and ice melt
- flea and tick products made for dogs, which can be dangerous, or possibly life-threatening, for cats
- plants such as lilies, sago palm, oleander, azalea and poinsettia
Not every danger is a poison
The FDA also warns about items that can block the digestive tract, such as avocado pits, corn cobs and bones. It notes that mylar-style chip and snack bags can wrap around a dog's nose and mouth and cause suffocation.
Also on this site: When to take your pet to an emergency vet · all vets and animal hospitals by state.
Sources
- ASPCA, What to Do if Your Pet Is Poisoned
- ASPCA, My Pet Ate Something! When Should I Seek Help?
- ASPCA, Animal Poison Control Center
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Potentially Dangerous Items for Your Pet
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Who Do You Call if You Have a Pet Emergency?
- Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, When Every Second Counts: Recognizing Pet Emergency Signs
Read on November 9, 2026. Rules and advice change. If something here is out of date, the contact page is at the bottom.