Possible Pet Poisoning: What to Do Now
If your dog or cat may have eaten something dangerous, get case-specific professional guidance. Do not wait for symptoms and do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian or poison specialist instructs you.
Call for help
- Your veterinarian or nearest emergency veterinary hospital
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435, available 24/7
- Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661, available 24/7
Consultation fees may apply. These services can provide a case number and coordinate recommendations with your veterinary team.
Gather this information
- Your pet’s species, weight, age, health conditions, and medications.
- The exact product, package, ingredient list, strength, or plant or mushroom sample.
- The best estimate of how much was eaten and when.
- Any vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, weakness, tremors, breathing trouble, collapse, pain, or unusual behavior.
- Whether packaging, foil, bones, pits, cobs, skewers, strings, or other objects are missing.
Go straight to emergency care for severe signs
Trouble breathing, collapse, seizures, repeated retching, a swollen or painful abdomen, uncontrolled bleeding, severe weakness, choking, loss of consciousness, or rapidly worsening symptoms need immediate veterinary care.
Avoid common mistakes
- Do not use hydrogen peroxide, salt, oil, milk, bread, charcoal, or another home remedy unless a professional gives case-specific instructions.
- Do not force food, water, or liquids into a vomiting, weak, choking, or neurologically abnormal pet.
- Do not rely on a generic online dose table when product concentration and individual risk can vary.
- Do not discard the package or remaining material until the case is assessed.
This page is an emergency preparation checklist, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. If you are unsure whether the exposure is dangerous, call a professional and let them make that decision with the full case details.
Numbers and availability verified August 11, 2026.