Stay calm and remove your pet from the source
Move your pet away from the food or substance. If possible, secure a sample or take a photo of what they ate, this will help your vet identify the toxin quickly.
Identify what they ate and how much
Try to determine: What did they eat? How much approximately? How long ago? This information is critical for your vet or poison control to assess risk.
Call your vet or poison control immediately
Don't wait for symptoms to appear. Call your vet, emergency animal hospital, or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. They can tell you if the amount ingested is dangerous and what to do next.
Do NOT induce vomiting unless instructed
This is critical, inducing vomiting can actually make things worse for some toxins (like caustic substances). Only induce vomiting if specifically directed to do so by a vet or poison control professional.
Monitor closely and get to a vet if symptoms appear
Even if your vet says to "wait and watch," monitor your pet closely. If any of the serious symptoms below appear, go to an emergency animal hospital immediately.
⚠️ Things You Should NEVER Do
- Never induce vomiting without vet instructions, it can cause more harm with certain toxins
- Never give milk, water, or "home remedies" without vet guidance
- Never wait and see if your pet ate grapes, raisins, xylitol, chocolate, or onions, these require immediate action
- Never assume a small amount is safe, some toxins are dangerous in tiny doses
- Never search the internet instead of calling your vet in a real emergency
💔 Heart & Breathing Emergency
- Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing
- Irregular or rapid heartbeat
- Blue or pale gums
- Collapse or inability to stand
🧠 Neurological Emergency
- Seizures or convulsions
- Muscle tremors or twitching
- Disorientation or confusion
- Loss of coordination
😵 Consciousness Emergency
- Unconsciousness or unresponsiveness
- Extreme lethargy, can't be roused
- Glassy or fixed eyes
- Sudden collapse
🤢 Digestive Urgent, Call Vet
- Repeated vomiting (more than 2-3 times)
- Severe or bloody diarrhea
- Swollen or bloated abdomen
- Drooling excessively
🐾 Physical Changes Urgent, Call Vet
- Sudden swelling of face, lips, or tongue
- Hives or skin rash
- Excessive scratching or pawing at face
- Sudden severe pain or crying
🚰 Urinary Urgent, Call Vet
- No urination for 12+ hours
- Blood in urine
- Straining to urinate
- Sudden increase or decrease in thirst