Safety database
Toxic substances
Common household hazards, what they do to which animals, and how urgently you need veterinary help.
20 substances
Chocolate
Vomiting and diarrhoea, Restlessness and pacing, Rapid heart rate
Affects: Dogs, Cats, Ferrets, Rabbits, Birds
Food · Life-threateningXylitol (birch sugar)
Weakness and collapse, Vomiting, Tremors
Affects: Dogs, Ferrets, Rabbits
Food · SevereGrapes, Raisins, Sultanas and Currants
Vomiting within hours, Lethargy, Loss of appetite
Affects: Dogs, Cats (assumed), Ferrets
Food · ModerateOnion, Garlic, Leek and Chives
Pale gums, Weakness and exercise intolerance, Rapid breathing
Affects: Dogs, Cats, Ferrets, Rabbits, Birds
Plant · Life-threateningLilies (Lilium and Hemerocallis species)
Drooling and vomiting, Lethargy, Loss of appetite
Affects: Cats
Plant · Life-threateningSago Palm (Cycas revoluta)
Vomiting and bloody diarrhoea, Jaundice, Bruising
Affects: Dogs, Cats
Chemical · Life-threateningAntifreeze (ethylene glycol)
Appearing drunk or uncoordinated, Excessive thirst and urination, Vomiting
Affects: Cats, Dogs, Wildlife
Pesticide · Life-threateningRodenticides (rat and mouse poison)
Weakness and pale gums, Coughing or difficulty breathing, Bruising or bleeding gums
Affects: Dogs, Cats, Ferrets, Birds, Wildlife
Medication · Life-threateningParacetamol / Acetaminophen
Brown or blue-tinged gums, Facial and paw swelling, Laboured breathing
Affects: Cats, Dogs, Ferrets
Medication · SevereIbuprofen and other human NSAIDs
Vomiting, sometimes with blood, Black tarry stools, Loss of appetite
Affects: Dogs, Cats, Ferrets, Rabbits
Essential oil · SevereTea Tree Oil and Concentrated Essential Oils
Drooling, Wobbliness and weakness, Tremors
Affects: Cats, Dogs, Birds, Small mammals
Pesticide · Life-threateningPermethrin Spot-On Flea Products
Muscle tremors, Twitching, Seizures
Affects: Cats
Food · SevereAvocado
Difficulty breathing in birds, Sudden death in small birds, Diarrhoea
Affects: Birds, Rabbits, Guinea pigs, Horses
Chemical · ModerateHousehold Cleaning Products
Drooling and mouth pawing, Vomiting, Red or ulcerated mouth
Affects: Dogs, Cats, Birds, Small mammals, Reptiles
Household object · SevereString, Thread, Tinsel and Hair Ties
Repeated vomiting, Loss of appetite, Painful abdomen
Affects: Cats, Dogs, Ferrets
Household object · SevereZinc Objects (coins, galvanised metal, cage parts)
Vomiting, Pale or yellow gums, Red-brown urine
Affects: Dogs, Birds, Ferrets
Household object · Life-threateningNicotine, Cigarettes and Vape Liquid
Vomiting, Agitation and tremors, Rapid heart rate
Affects: Dogs, Cats, Birds, Small mammals
Food · ModerateMacadamia Nuts
Weakness, especially in the hind legs, Tremors, Vomiting
Affects: Dogs
Food · SevereAlcohol and Raw Bread Dough
Wobbliness, Vomiting, Low body temperature
Affects: Dogs, Cats, Birds, Small mammals
Food · SevereSalt and Salt Dough Decorations
Excessive thirst, Vomiting and diarrhoea, Wobbliness
Affects: Dogs, Cats, Birds, Rabbits