What to Do If Your Pet Eats Something Toxic

Toxicity or poisoning occurs when a harmful substance is ingested, inhaled, or absorbed and causes damage to tissues or disrupts normal body function. Symptoms vary widely but may include vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, lethargy, depression, weakness, lack of coordination, tremors, seizures, difficulty breathing, collapse, bleeding, jaundice, and sudden behavior changes. Symptoms may begin almost immediately after ingestion or may not become evident for several days. On the other hand, a foreign body refers to an item that becomes lodged in the gastrointestinal tract. Foreign bodies often cause repeated vomiting and abdominal pain as they obstruct the intestines and can quickly become surgical emergencies.

Calmly assess the situation

Remove the item to prevent further ingestion and check your pet for signs of acute distress such as difficulty breathing, weakness or collapse, seizures, persistent vomiting, or severe pain. If these symptoms are present, seek emergency veterinary care immediately.

Do not assume your pet is fine simply because they are not showing symptoms. Some toxins, such as lilies in cats, xylitol in dogs, antifreeze, and rodenticide, require immediate veterinary care even before signs develop, and early treatment can drastically improve outcomes. Other toxins, such as chocolate, vary in severity depending on the type and amount consumed relative to your pet's weight.

Pay attention to the details

It's important for your vet to have as much information as possible about your pet and what they consumed. Gather the following information and have it ready:

• What your pet ate - If possible, bring the item and packaging with you, or take a picture, which can be helpful for identifying certain types of toxic plants or ingredients.
• How much they ate
• How long ago it happened - Timing is especially important, as toxins can be addressed more effectively within the first 1-2 hours after ingestion. After that window, inducing vomiting may no longer be helpful or safe.
• Your pet's breed, age, and current weight
• Medical history, such as if your pet is diabetic, has kidney disease, or is taking any medications
• Any symptoms you have noticed since ingestion

Get veterinary support

Because some toxins cause delayed organ damage, veterinary guidance is recommended even if your pet appears stable. A pet that seems fine may still require bloodwork, treatment, or monitoring. If the toxic ingestion happens during business hours, start by calling your vet. If they are not available, you can contact a local emergency clinic or, for a fee (typically under $100), speak to a specialist at the Pet Poison Helpline or ASPCA Pet Poison Control. These veterinary and toxicology experts will be able to provide detailed information and instructions, whether that means monitoring at home or seeking in-person veterinary treatment, as well as a case number with which the owner or treating veterinarian can follow up.

Never give home remedies unless a vet directs you to do so. This includes inducing vomiting with hydrogen peroxide, which is typically only recommended as a last resort if no other treatment options are available for dogs and should never be used in cats. Hydrogen peroxide works by irritating the stomach lining, which triggers vomiting. However, this can also lead to serious side effects such as ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract. Another important risk is aspiration, in which stomach contents accidentally enter the lungs, leading to pneumonia, an especially serious condition in brachycephalic breeds. Hydrogen peroxide can also make certain situations worse. Inducing vomiting is not appropriate if a pet has swallowed caustic substances like bleach or cleaners, sharp objects, or other materials that could cause additional damage on the way back up.

Treatment for toxin ingestion depends on what was eaten, how much, and how recently the ingestion occurred. If ingestion was recent, your veterinarian may administer medication to make your pet vomit. Other treatment options include activated charcoal to help reduce absorption from the gastrointestinal tract, supportive care (such as medications to control nausea, seizures, pain, and other symptoms), intravenous fluids, and specific antidotes if available. Depending on what your pet ate, they may require careful monitoring and symptom management for several hours to days. Regardless of what your pet got into, the goal is to stabilize them, limit ongoing damage, and support the body while it metabolizes and eliminates the toxin. Early intervention significantly improves outcomes, which is why prompt veterinary care is so critical anytime a toxic exposure is suspected.

If a pet has swallowed a foreign body, such as a toy, corn cob, or diaper, your veterinarian may recommend imaging to determine its location and whether it can pass safely. In some cases, your vet may be able to induce vomiting or use endoscopy to retrieve the object, while others may require surgery.

• As a pet parent, it's important to know which foods, plants, and common household products are toxic to dogs and cats and make sure these items are kept safely out of reach. A full list can be found on the ASPCA website.
• Avoid giving your pet human foods or leftovers that contain toxic ingredients or seasonings, such as onions, leeks, garlic, grapes, raisins, chocolate, or xylitol. If you use peanut butter as a treat for your dog, make sure it does not contain xylitol or birch sugar.
• Never give your pet human medications, and make sure that all family members and guests keep their medications and toiletries out of reach.
• Make sure cleaning, yard, and household products are pet-safe and that known toxins, such as bleach and rodenticide, are inaccessible.
• Don't overlook seasonal items, such as holiday decor, antifreeze, or seasonal plants.
• Never bring lilies into a household with cats. Even small exposures (such as chewing a leaf, licking pollen, or drinking water from the vase) can lead to kidney failure within 24-72 hours.
• Create an area of your home where your pet can be left safely when unsupervised.
• Consider investing in pet insurance or a dedicated bank account to help handle unexpected veterinary costs. Emergency treatment can range from several hundred dollars to thousands of dollars if hospitalization or surgery is required.

Despite our best efforts, accidents still happen. The difference between a minor scare and a life-threatening emergency often comes down to how quickly you respond.