Your pet ate something toxic?
Emergency Guide — What to do right now
Decision Tree
Does your pet show any of these symptoms?
- Seizures
- Difficulty breathing
- Unconscious
- Vomiting blood
Do you know what your pet ate?
No, I don't know what they ate
Note the symptoms and call the vet immediately
Is what they ate dangerous?
Highly dangerous (DANGER)
Take to the vet immediately. Bring the food packaging or a sample.
Use caution (CAUTION)
Monitor symptoms for 24 hours. Call the vet if symptoms worsen.
Safe (SAFE)
No need to worry, but feed in appropriate amounts.
⛔ Do NOT do these!
Do NOT induce vomiting
Unless a vet instructs you to — inducing vomiting can cause further injury.
Do NOT give milk
Milk cannot neutralize toxins and may make symptoms worse.
Do NOT wait too long
Some toxins have delayed symptoms — waiting too long can be too late.
Do NOT give human medication
Many human medications are toxic to pets, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen.
What to prepare before calling the vet
Have this information ready before calling, so the vet can diagnose quickly:
Pet's weight
Current weight of your dog or cat (kilograms)
Name of the food or substance eaten
Product name, ingredients, or type of plant/animal
Approximate amount
How much your pet ate (grams, pieces, spoonfuls)
Time of ingestion
How long ago it was eaten (minutes, hours)
Current symptoms
Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, abnormal breathing, seizures, or other symptoms
Medications your pet takes
Regular medications, vitamins, or supplements
Help share this guide with pet lovers
Send to friends and family to prepare for emergencies
Prevention is better than cure
Check food safety before feeding your pets