Skip to content
PetariumPetarium

Safety database

Toxic substances

Common household hazards, what they do to which animals, and how urgently you need veterinary help.

Illustrative cover for toxic

58 substances

Chocolate in a home setting, a hazard to keep away from pets
Food · Severe

Chocolate

Vomiting and diarrhoea, Restlessness and pacing, Rapid heart rate

Affects: Dogs, Cats, Ferrets, Rabbits, Birds

Xylitol (birch sugar) in a home setting, a hazard to keep away from pets
Food · Life-threatening

Xylitol (birch sugar)

Weakness and collapse, Vomiting, Tremors

Affects: Dogs, Ferrets, Rabbits

Grapes, Raisins, Sultanas and Currants in a home setting, a hazard to keep away from pets
Food · Severe

Grapes, Raisins, Sultanas and Currants

Vomiting within hours, Lethargy, Loss of appetite

Affects: Dogs, Cats (assumed), Ferrets

Onion, Garlic, Leek and Chives in a home setting, a hazard to keep away from pets
Food · Moderate

Onion, Garlic, Leek and Chives

Pale gums, Weakness and exercise intolerance, Rapid breathing

Affects: Dogs, Cats, Ferrets, Rabbits, Birds

Lilies (Lilium and Hemerocallis species) in a home setting, a hazard to keep away from pets
Plant · Life-threatening

Lilies (Lilium and Hemerocallis species)

Drooling and vomiting, Lethargy, Loss of appetite

Affects: Cats

Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta) in a home setting, a hazard to keep away from pets
Plant · Life-threatening

Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta)

Vomiting and bloody diarrhoea, Jaundice, Bruising

Affects: Dogs, Cats

Antifreeze (ethylene glycol) in a home setting, a hazard to keep away from pets
Chemical · Life-threatening

Antifreeze (ethylene glycol)

Appearing drunk or uncoordinated, Excessive thirst and urination, Vomiting

Affects: Cats, Dogs, Wildlife

Rodenticides (rat and mouse poison) in a home setting, a hazard to keep away from pets
Pesticide · Life-threatening

Rodenticides (rat and mouse poison)

Weakness and pale gums, Coughing or difficulty breathing, Bruising or bleeding gums

Affects: Dogs, Cats, Ferrets, Birds, Wildlife

Paracetamol / Acetaminophen in a home setting, a hazard to keep away from pets
Medication · Life-threatening

Paracetamol / Acetaminophen

Brown or blue-tinged gums, Facial and paw swelling, Laboured breathing

Affects: Cats, Dogs, Ferrets

Ibuprofen and other human NSAIDs in a home setting, a hazard to keep away from pets
Medication · Severe

Ibuprofen and other human NSAIDs

Vomiting, sometimes with blood, Black tarry stools, Loss of appetite

Affects: Dogs, Cats, Ferrets, Rabbits

Illustrative safety cover for Tea Tree Oil and Concentrated Essential Oils
Essential oil · Severe

Tea Tree Oil and Concentrated Essential Oils

Drooling, Wobbliness and weakness, Tremors

Affects: Cats, Dogs, Birds, Small mammals

Illustrative safety cover for Permethrin Spot-On Flea Products
Pesticide · Life-threatening

Permethrin Spot-On Flea Products

Muscle tremors, Twitching, Seizures

Affects: Cats

Avocado in a home setting, a hazard to keep away from pets
Food · Severe

Avocado

Difficulty breathing in birds, Sudden death in small birds, Diarrhoea

Affects: Birds, Rabbits, Guinea pigs, Horses

Household Cleaning Products in a home setting, a hazard to keep away from pets
Chemical · Moderate

Household Cleaning Products

Drooling and mouth pawing, Vomiting, Red or ulcerated mouth

Affects: Dogs, Cats, Birds, Small mammals, Reptiles

String, Thread, Tinsel and Hair Ties in a home setting, a hazard to keep away from pets
Household object · Severe

String, Thread, Tinsel and Hair Ties

Repeated vomiting, Loss of appetite, Painful abdomen

Affects: Cats, Dogs, Ferrets

Zinc Objects (coins, galvanised metal, cage parts) in a home setting, a hazard to keep away from pets
Household object · Severe

Zinc Objects (coins, galvanised metal, cage parts)

Vomiting, Pale or yellow gums, Red-brown urine

Affects: Dogs, Birds, Ferrets

Nicotine, Cigarettes and Vape Liquid in a home setting, a hazard to keep away from pets
Household object · Life-threatening

Nicotine, Cigarettes and Vape Liquid

Vomiting, Agitation and tremors, Rapid heart rate

Affects: Dogs, Cats, Birds, Small mammals

Macadamia Nuts in a home setting, a hazard to keep away from pets
Food · Moderate

Macadamia Nuts

Weakness, especially in the hind legs, Tremors, Vomiting

Affects: Dogs

Alcohol and Raw Bread Dough in a home setting, a hazard to keep away from pets
Food · Severe

Alcohol and Raw Bread Dough

Wobbliness, Vomiting, Low body temperature

Affects: Dogs, Cats, Birds, Small mammals

Salt and Salt Dough Decorations in a home setting, a hazard to keep away from pets
Food · Severe

Salt and Salt Dough Decorations

Excessive thirst, Vomiting and diarrhoea, Wobbliness

Affects: Dogs, Cats, Birds, Rabbits

Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane) in a home setting, a hazard to keep away from pets
Plant · Moderate

Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane)

Intense oral pain and drooling, Pawing at the mouth, Swelling of the tongue, lips or throat

Affects: Dogs, Cats, Rabbits, Birds

Oleander (Nerium oleander) in a home setting, a hazard to keep away from pets
Plant · Life-threatening

Oleander (Nerium oleander)

Vomiting and diarrhoea, sometimes bloody, Irregular or slowed heart rate, Tremors

Affects: Dogs, Cats, Horses, Rabbits, Birds

Illustrative safety cover for SSRI and Other Antidepressant Medications
Medication · Severe

SSRI and Other Antidepressant Medications

Agitation and vocalising, Tremors, Dilated pupils

Affects: Dogs, Cats

ADHD Stimulant Medication (methylphenidate, amphetamines) in a home setting, a hazard to keep away from pets
Medication · Life-threatening

ADHD Stimulant Medication (methylphenidate, amphetamines)

Extreme agitation and hyperactivity, Dangerously high heart rate and blood pressure, Very high body temperature

Affects: Dogs, Cats

Slug and Snail Bait (metaldehyde) in a home setting, a hazard to keep away from pets
Pesticide · Life-threatening

Slug and Snail Bait (metaldehyde)

Uncontrollable muscle tremors, Twitching and hyperthermia, Rapid, jerky movements

Affects: Dogs, Cats, Wildlife

Garden Herbicides (glyphosate and related weedkillers) in a home setting, a hazard to keep away from pets
Chemical · Moderate

Garden Herbicides (glyphosate and related weedkillers)

Drooling, Vomiting and diarrhoea, Skin or paw irritation

Affects: Dogs, Cats, Small mammals

Button and Coin Batteries in a home setting, a hazard to keep away from pets
Household object · Life-threatening

Button and Coin Batteries

Drooling and pawing at the mouth, Vomiting, Reluctance to eat

Affects: Dogs, Cats, Birds, Small mammals

Mouldy Food and Compost (mycotoxins) in a home setting, a hazard to keep away from pets
Food · Severe

Mouldy Food and Compost (mycotoxins)

Severe muscle tremors, Agitation and panting, High body temperature

Affects: Dogs, Cats, Wildlife scavenging bins

Blue in a home setting, a hazard to keep away from pets
Chemical · Life-threatening

Blue-Green Algae (cyanobacteria) in Ponds and Lakes

Vomiting and diarrhoea, Drooling, Weakness and staggering

Affects: Dogs, Wildlife, Livestock

Overheated Nonstick (PTFE) Cookware Fumes in a home setting, a hazard to keep away from pets
Household object · Life-threatening

Overheated Nonstick (PTFE) Cookware Fumes

Sudden difficulty breathing, Gasping or open-mouth breathing, Weakness and falling from the perch

Affects: Birds

Scented Candles, Plug in a home setting, a hazard to keep away from pets
Household object · Moderate

Scented Candles, Plug-In Air Fresheners and Reed Diffusers

Coughing, wheezing or laboured breathing, Watery eyes and nasal discharge, Drooling if oil was licked

Affects: Cats, Birds, Small mammals

Lead (old paint, fishing weights, curtain weights, some toys) in a home setting, a hazard to keep away from pets
Chemical · Severe

Lead (old paint, fishing weights, curtain weights, some toys)

Vomiting and abdominal pain, Lethargy and weakness, Behavioural changes or disorientation

Affects: Dogs, Birds, Cats

De in a home setting, a hazard to keep away from pets
Chemical · Moderate

De-Icing Salt and Grit

Excessive thirst and urination, Vomiting, Paw irritation or cracking

Affects: Dogs, Cats, Wildlife

Cocoa Bean Shell Mulch in a home setting, a hazard to keep away from pets
Plant · Moderate

Cocoa Bean Shell Mulch

Vomiting and diarrhoea, Restlessness and agitation, Rapid heart rate

Affects: Dogs

Illustrative cover: Yellow daffodils in a terracotta pot beside a resting dog
Plant · Moderate

Daffodils

Vomiting and diarrhoea, Drooling, Abdominal pain

Affects: Dogs, Cats, Rabbits

Illustrative cover: Tulip and hyacinth bulbs with roots on a cream cloth
Plant · Moderate

Tulip and hyacinth bulbs

Drooling, Vomiting and diarrhoea, Mouth irritation

Affects: Dogs, Cats

Illustrative cover: Purple foxglove flower spikes in a garden border
Plant · Life-threatening

Foxglove

Vomiting and diarrhoea, Slow, fast or irregular heartbeat, Weakness and collapse

Affects: Dogs, Cats, Rabbits, Horses

Illustrative cover: A flowering pink rhododendron bush in a garden
Plant · Severe

Rhododendron and azalea

Drooling and vomiting, Diarrhoea, Weakness and wobbliness

Affects: Dogs, Cats, Rabbits, Horses

Illustrative cover: Blue and pink hydrangeas in a terracotta pot beside a resting dog
Plant · Mild

Hydrangea

Vomiting, Diarrhoea, Lethargy

Affects: Dogs, Cats

Illustrative cover: Green tomato leaves and unripe tomatoes on the vine
Plant · Mild

Tomato leaves and green tomatoes

Drooling, Stomach upset, Lethargy

Affects: Dogs, Cats

Illustrative cover: Rhubarb stalks with large green leaves on a cream cloth
Plant · Moderate

Rhubarb leaves

Drooling and mouth irritation, Vomiting and diarrhoea, Lethargy

Affects: Dogs, Cats, Rabbits

Illustrative cover: Dried and fresh hop cones on a cream cloth beside a resting dog
Plant · Life-threatening

Hops (brewing)

Dangerously high body temperature, Rapid breathing and panting, Restlessness

Affects: Dogs

Illustrative cover: A cannabis leaf on a cream cloth
Chemical · Severe

Cannabis

Wobbliness and disorientation, Dribbling urine, Dilated pupils

Affects: Dogs, Cats

Illustrative cover: Colourful detergent pods in a bowl beside a resting dog
Chemical · Severe

Dishwasher and laundry pods

Drooling and mouth burns, Vomiting, Coughing and breathing difficulty if inhaled

Affects: Dogs, Cats

Illustrative cover: A yew branch with red berries beside a dog in a garden
Plant · Life-threatening

Yew

Trembling and weakness, Vomiting, Slow or irregular heartbeat

Affects: Dogs, Cats, Horses, Rabbits

Variegated English ivy cultivar with lobed leaves photographed by Mokkie
Plant · Mild

English ivy

Drooling, Vomiting and diarrhoea, Mouth irritation

Affects: Dogs, Cats, Rabbits

Illustrative cover: Pink and white cyclamen in a terracotta pot beside a cat
Plant · Moderate

Cyclamen

Drooling, Vomiting and diarrhoea, In large amounts: heart rhythm changes and seizures

Affects: Dogs, Cats

Illustrative cover: Horse chestnut conkers with spiky husks on a cream cloth
Plant · Moderate

Conkers (horse chestnuts)

Vomiting and diarrhoea, Abdominal pain, Restlessness

Affects: Dogs

Acorns with cup-shaped caps among lobed oak leaves on woodland ground
Plant · Moderate

Acorns and oak leaves

Vomiting and diarrhoea, Abdominal pain, In large amounts: kidney damage

Affects: Dogs, Horses

Illustrative cover: An essential-oil diffuser and amber oil bottles near resting pets
Essential oil · Severe

Liquid potpourri and essential oil diffusers

Drooling and mouth burns, Vomiting, Breathing difficulty

Affects: Cats, Dogs, Birds

Illustrative cover: An open bag of garden fertiliser granules and bone meal
Chemical · Moderate

Garden fertiliser and bone meal

Vomiting and diarrhoea, Abdominal pain, Bloated stomach from bone meal forming a mass

Affects: Dogs, Cats

Illustrative cover: A red amaryllis flower in a terracotta pot
Plant · Moderate

Amaryllis

Drooling, Vomiting and diarrhoea, Lethargy

Affects: Dogs, Cats

Illustrative cover: A red poinsettia in a terracotta pot beside a resting cat
Plant · Mild

Poinsettia

Mild drooling, Mouth irritation, Occasional vomiting

Affects: Dogs, Cats

Illustrative cover: Yellow and bronze chrysanthemums in a terracotta pot beside a dog
Plant · Moderate

Chrysanthemum

Drooling, Vomiting and diarrhoea, Skin irritation from contact

Affects: Dogs, Cats

Illustrative cover: A pink peony flower in bloom on a cream cloth
Plant · Mild

Peony

Vomiting, Diarrhoea, Lethargy

Affects: Dogs, Cats

Closed essential oil bottles stored in a high cupboard, with a cat in the next room
Essential oil · Severe

Essential oils applied to pets

Drooling, Wobbliness and tremors, Vomiting

Affects: Cats, Dogs, Birds, Small mammals

Illustrative cover: A vape pen, refill liquid bottles and nicotine gum on a cream cloth
Chemical · Life-threatening

Nicotine and e-cigarette liquids

Drooling and vomiting within minutes, Tremors and agitation, Rapid or irregular heartbeat

Affects: Dogs, Cats, Birds

Illustrative cover: Raw rising bread dough in a ceramic bowl under a cloth
Food · Severe

Raw bread dough

Swollen, painful abdomen, Retching, Wobbliness and disorientation (alcohol poisoning)

Affects: Dogs