Pets and Poisons

Pets can be poisoned by common household products, plants and foods. If you are concerned, contact your veterinarian immediately.

If you think your pet has been poisoned, quickly follow these steps:

• If your animal is having a seizure, is unconscious or is having trouble breathing, contact your veterinarian immediately.
• Try to identify what your pet has eaten.
• If your pet vomits, note the appearance of the vomit. If there are pieces of a pill or plant in the vomit, put those in a plastic bag.
• Try to determine how much of the poison your pet has eaten.
• Note your pet’s behavior so you can explain it to your veterinarian.
• Do not try to get your pet to vomit unless your veterinarian tells you to do so.

If your pet has eaten a plant you think may be harmful:

• Remove any part of the plant that’s still in the mouth. Try to identify what type of plant it is.
• Gently rinse around the mouth with water.
• Let your pet drink a small amount of water.
• Look for swelling or reddening around the mouth, eyes and paws.
• Watch for foamy salivation.
• Check our plant list for more information about whether plants in your home and yard are toxic.
• Take the plant or pieces of the plant with you if you go to your veterinarian's office or an emergency pet clinic.

Call your veterinarian immediately if you think your pet has been poisoned.