What to Do if Your Pet Swallowed Something Toxic

If you think your pet has swallowed something toxic, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right away, even if your pet seems normal. The ASPCA says many poisons have a delayed effect and are harder to treat once symptoms start. This page summarizes the ASPCA's published steps. It is general information, not veterinary advice for your pet.

1. The ASPCA's four steps

1. Check on your pet. Remove your pet from the area to prevent further exposure, then see how it is doing. Check whether your pet is acting normal and whether there is any sign of vomiting or diarrhea. If you have several pets, check each one, even those you think were not involved. If your pet is unconscious, has difficulty breathing, is bleeding, or is having seizures, the ASPCA says to go directly to a veterinary clinic for immediate care.

2. Gather the evidence. Collect leftover packaging or pills so the staff can work out what and how much your pet may have eaten. If your pet vomited, check whether any of the substance is in the vomit.

3. Call the ASPCA or your veterinarian immediately. The ASPCA's number is (888) 426-4435. Do not wait for symptoms.

4. Do not panic. The ASPCA warns that rash decisions, especially those based on information from the internet, can sometimes cause more problems. It recommends talking to a veterinary professional before taking any steps or giving your pet anything after a possible poisoning.

2. What the call involves

According to the ASPCA, Poison Control is staffed by veterinary toxicology experts available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. A staff member builds a case by asking two sets of questions.

About your pet: breed, age, weight, and health history. The ASPCA gives an example of why this matters: dogs with flat faces can have breathing issues that may prevent staff from instructing you to make your pet vomit at home.

About the toxin: the product package, the strength of the ingredients, and the amount your pet was exposed to. Tell them about any clinical signs, such as vomiting, not eating, or acting lethargic, and about any home treatment you already tried.

Then the experts decide on a plan:

• Home care: the caseworker walks you through what to do and what symptoms to monitor.
• Veterinary clinic: if the exposure is potentially life-threatening or cannot be managed at home, you are sent to a local clinic, and the ASPCA works with your veterinarian on treatment.

At the end you get a case number and a call-back number. If you go to a clinic, give both to the staff so they can call Poison Control. The ASPCA states that there is a fee for the service, because it receives no outside funding.

3. Have this ready before you call

• Your pet's breed, age, weight, and health history
• The product container or label (package, strength of ingredients) and how much your pet was exposed to
• Any signs you have seen so far, such as vomiting, not eating, or acting lethargic
• Any home treatment you already tried

4. Not all household items are equal

The ASPCA's household products guide is general information and explicitly not a tool for assessing a real exposure. Still, it shows why details matter. A few examples from that page:

• Dryer sheets and fabric softeners often contain cationic detergents, which can cause severe chemical burns and ulcers in the mouth, esophagus, and stomach. Sheets can also cause a foreign body obstruction.
• Toothpaste can contain fluoride or xylitol. Xylitol can cause low blood sugar or liver damage if enough is eaten, and the amount varies a lot between brands.
• Cosmetics such as foundation or mascara usually cause only mild stomach upset, but swallowed packaging can cause an obstruction that may be an emergency.
• Undiluted bleach can injure the mouth and esophagus.

The same page says most cleaning products are safe around dogs and cats when used as labeled, and recommends asking a veterinarian about cleaning products around birds, which are extremely sensitive to fumes.

5. Key takeaways

• Call your veterinarian or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 immediately, even if your pet looks fine.
• Unconscious, struggling to breathe, bleeding, or seizing: go straight to a clinic.
• Keep the packaging or pills and note how much is missing.
• Do not give your pet anything after a possible poisoning until a veterinary professional has advised you.
• Expect a fee for ASPCA Poison Control, and bring the case number to the clinic.