Pet toxin guide
Look up whether something your pet ate or touched is poisonous, how serious it is and what to do first.
If your pet has eaten something toxic, call your vet or an animal poison helpline now. Don't wait for symptoms and don't make your pet vomit unless a vet tells you to.
58 results
- ADHD Stimulant Medication (methylphenidate, amphetamines)Life-threatening · Medication
Affects: Dogs, Cats. First step: Phone an emergency vet or poison control service immediately
- Antifreeze (ethylene glycol)Life-threatening · Chemical
Affects: Cats, Dogs, Wildlife. First step: Go straight to an emergency veterinary hospital
- Blue-Green Algae (cyanobacteria) in Ponds and LakesLife-threatening · Chemical
Affects: Dogs, Wildlife, Livestock. First step: Rinse the coat thoroughly with clean water to stop further ingestion during grooming
- Button and Coin BatteriesLife-threatening · Household object
Affects: Dogs, Cats, Birds, Small mammals. First step: Go to an emergency vet or animal hospital straight away
- FoxgloveLife-threatening · Plant
Affects: Dogs, Cats, Rabbits, Horses. First step: Remove plant material from the mouth
- Hops (brewing)Life-threatening · Plant
Affects: Dogs. First step: Do not wait for symptoms
- Lilies (Lilium and Hemerocallis species)Life-threatening · Plant
Affects: Cats. First step: Remove the plant from the house entirely
- Nicotine and e-cigarette liquidsLife-threatening · Chemical
Affects: Dogs, Cats, Birds. First step: Remove the source
- Nicotine, Cigarettes and Vape LiquidLife-threatening · Household object
Affects: Dogs, Cats, Birds, Small mammals. First step: Phone an emergency vet now
- Oleander (Nerium oleander)Life-threatening · Plant
Affects: Dogs, Cats, Horses, Rabbits, Birds. First step: Go to an emergency vet immediately
- Overheated Nonstick (PTFE) Cookware FumesLife-threatening · Household object
Affects: Birds. First step: Move the bird to fresh air immediately, away from the kitchen
- Paracetamol / AcetaminophenLife-threatening · Medication
Affects: Cats, Dogs, Ferrets. First step: Go to an emergency vet immediately
- Permethrin Spot-On Flea ProductsLife-threatening · Pesticide
Affects: Cats. First step: Wash the cat with lukewarm water and mild dish soap
- Rodenticides (rat and mouse poison)Life-threatening · Pesticide
Affects: Dogs, Cats, Ferrets, Birds, Wildlife. First step: Bring the product packaging — the active ingredient determines treatment entirely
- Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta)Life-threatening · Plant
Affects: Dogs, Cats. First step: Go to an emergency vet immediately
- Slug and Snail Bait (metaldehyde)Life-threatening · Pesticide
Affects: Dogs, Cats, Wildlife. First step: Go to an emergency vet immediately
- Xylitol (birch sugar)Life-threatening · Food
Affects: Dogs, Ferrets, Rabbits. First step: Phone a vet immediately — this cannot wait for symptoms
- YewLife-threatening · Plant
Affects: Dogs, Cats, Horses, Rabbits. First step: Remove plant material
- Alcohol and Raw Bread DoughSevere · Food
Affects: Dogs, Cats, Birds, Small mammals. First step: Contact an emergency vet immediately
- AvocadoSevere · Food
Affects: Birds, Rabbits, Guinea pigs, Horses. First step: Remove all avocado from reach
- CannabisSevere · Chemical
Affects: Dogs, Cats. First step: Remove access to more
- ChocolateSevere · Food
Affects: Dogs, Cats, Ferrets, Rabbits, Birds. First step: Note the type of chocolate, the estimated amount and the time it was eaten
- Dishwasher and laundry podsSevere · Chemical
Affects: Dogs, Cats. First step: Rinse the mouth and any affected skin or eyes with water
- Essential oils applied to petsSevere · Essential oil
Affects: Cats, Dogs, Birds, Small mammals. First step: Wash off any oil with mild washing-up liquid and water
- Grapes, Raisins, Sultanas and CurrantsSevere · Food
Affects: Dogs, Cats (assumed), Ferrets. First step: Call a veterinarian without delay
- Ibuprofen and other human NSAIDsSevere · Medication
Affects: Dogs, Cats, Ferrets, Rabbits. First step: Phone a vet or poison line now
- Lead (old paint, fishing weights, curtain weights, some toys)Severe · Chemical
Affects: Dogs, Birds, Cats. First step: Remove any remaining lead objects from the environment
- Liquid potpourri and essential oil diffusersSevere · Essential oil
Affects: Cats, Dogs, Birds. First step: Wash spilled liquid off the fur with washing-up liquid and water
- Mouldy Food and Compost (mycotoxins)Severe · Food
Affects: Dogs, Cats, Wildlife scavenging bins. First step: Prevent access to the compost heap or food source immediately
- Raw bread doughSevere · Food
Affects: Dogs. First step: Remove remaining dough
- Rhododendron and azaleaSevere · Plant
Affects: Dogs, Cats, Rabbits, Horses. First step: Remove plant material
- Salt and Salt Dough DecorationsSevere · Food
Affects: Dogs, Cats, Birds, Rabbits. First step: Offer small amounts of fresh water, not a large volume at once
- SSRI and Other Antidepressant MedicationsSevere · Medication
Affects: Dogs, Cats. First step: Identify the exact medication and strength from the packaging
- String, Thread, Tinsel and Hair TiesSevere · Household object
Affects: Cats, Dogs, Ferrets. First step: Never pull on visible string — it may be anchored inside
- Tea Tree Oil and Concentrated Essential OilsSevere · Essential oil
Affects: Cats, Dogs, Birds, Small mammals. First step: Move the animal to fresh air and turn off any diffuser
- Zinc Objects (coins, galvanised metal, cage parts)Severe · Household object
Affects: Dogs, Birds, Ferrets. First step: Go to a vet immediately for imaging
- Acorns and oak leavesModerate · Plant
Affects: Dogs, Horses. First step: Prevent further access without chasing, cornering or reaching into a resisting animal's mouth.
- AmaryllisModerate · Plant
Affects: Dogs, Cats. First step: Remove plant material from the mouth
- ChrysanthemumModerate · Plant
Affects: Dogs, Cats. First step: Prevent further access
- Cocoa Bean Shell MulchModerate · Plant
Affects: Dogs. First step: Remove the dog from the mulched area and stop further access
- Conkers (horse chestnuts)Moderate · Plant
Affects: Dogs. First step: Take conkers away
- CyclamenModerate · Plant
Affects: Dogs, Cats. First step: Remove plant material
- DaffodilsModerate · Plant
Affects: Dogs, Cats, Rabbits. First step: Remove plant material from the mouth
- De-Icing Salt and GritModerate · Chemical
Affects: Dogs, Cats, Wildlife. First step: Wash and dry paws thoroughly after walks in gritted areas
- Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane)Moderate · Plant
Affects: Dogs, Cats, Rabbits, Birds. First step: Rinse the mouth gently with water if the animal will tolerate it
- Garden fertiliser and bone mealModerate · Chemical
Affects: Dogs, Cats. First step: Remove the product
- Garden Herbicides (glyphosate and related weedkillers)Moderate · Chemical
Affects: Dogs, Cats, Small mammals. First step: Wash paws and coat with mild soap and water to remove residue
- Household Cleaning ProductsModerate · Chemical
Affects: Dogs, Cats, Birds, Small mammals, Reptiles. First step: Rinse the mouth or skin with lukewarm water if the product is corrosive
- Macadamia NutsModerate · Food
Affects: Dogs. First step: Call your vet for advice
- Onion, Garlic, Leek and ChivesModerate · Food
Affects: Dogs, Cats, Ferrets, Rabbits, Birds. First step: Remove any remaining food
- Rhubarb leavesModerate · Plant
Affects: Dogs, Cats, Rabbits. First step: Remove leaf material
- Scented Candles, Plug-In Air Fresheners and Reed DiffusersModerate · Household object
Affects: Cats, Birds, Small mammals. First step: Move the animal to a well-ventilated room away from the scent source
- Tulip and hyacinth bulbsModerate · Plant
Affects: Dogs, Cats. First step: Remove any remaining bulb
- English ivyMild · Plant
Affects: Dogs, Cats, Rabbits. First step: Prevent further access and keep the animal away from fallen leaves or cuttings.
- HydrangeaMild · Plant
Affects: Dogs, Cats. First step: Remove plant material
- PeonyMild · Plant
Affects: Dogs, Cats. First step: Remove access
- PoinsettiaMild · Plant
Affects: Dogs, Cats. First step: Wipe sap from the mouth and offer fresh water
- Tomato leaves and green tomatoesMild · Plant
Affects: Dogs, Cats. First step: Remove plant material
Common questions
What foods are poisonous to dogs?
Common ones include chocolate, grapes and raisins, onions and garlic, xylitol (a sweetener in sugar-free gum) and macadamia nuts. Search above for details on each.
What is most toxic to cats?
True lilies are extremely dangerous: even pollen or vase water can cause kidney failure. Paracetamol (acetaminophen), permethrin dog flea treatments and onions are also serious.
What should I do if my pet ate something poisonous?
Remove any remaining item, note what and how much was eaten and when, keep the packaging, and call your vet or a pet poison helpline straight away.