Pet Poison Helplines: Who Should You Call If Your Dog or Cat Ate Something Poisonous?

Our furry family members’ curiosity makes us laugh, lightens the mood, and makes for hilarious photos. But a pet’s questioning nature can lead them into some dangerous items, inside and outside the house. It only takes a second for your pet to get into the Halloween candy, ingest cleaning solution, or grab an accidentally dropped pill. 

So what should you do if your pet gets into something they shouldn’t? If you know your pet ingested a toxin, you should bring them to the nearest emergency animal hospital. Other options include calling your veterinarian or a pet poison helpline. These hotlines have trained veterinary staff to advise and assist you over the phone. 

Continue reading to find out when to call a pet poison hotline, what hotlines to call, how to recognize signs of poisoning in your pet, and how to prevent poisoning.

What are the most helpful groups to contact about pet poisoning?

If you think your pet was exposed to or ate a poison, your first and best resource is your veterinarian. Your vet knows you, your pet, and your pet’s medical history. They can give you advice suited to your pet. In the case of poisoning, early intervention is critical, so call your vet immediately.

However, accidents often happen outside of business hours. Your vet may be unavailable at these times. Then you can contact one of the two animal poison control centers in the United States. Both centers have hotlines with veterinarians who can immediately give you expert advice over the phone.

1. Pet Poison Helpline

The Pet Poison Helpline is a 24-hour poison control service for pet parents and veterinary professionals. It is available throughout the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean. Hotline staff is available 24 hours a day to deal with every pet and type of poisoning.

There is an $89 consultation fee, and follow-up consultations are included. If the staff believes your pet needs medical treatment, they will work with your veterinarian to set up a treatment plan.

• The phone number for medical assistance: 1-855-764-7661

• Pets they can help with: All pets 

• Hotline hours: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year

2. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) is available at all hours, every day for any animal-related poison emergency. 

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“This phone line is open to anyone,” Savee Dalgo, communications coordinator for the ASPCA, told GoodRx Health. “There may be a consultation fee, which goes toward operating this life-saving hotline.”

Currently, the ASPCA consultation fee is $95.

• The phone number for medical assistance: 1-888-426-4435

• Pets they can help with: All pets and animals

• Hotline hours: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year

What are the most common causes of pet poisoning?

So what items should you make sure are out of paw’s reach? The top causes of pet poisoning — based on calls to the ASPCA Poison Control Hotline and Pet Poison Helpline — are: 

1. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil), cold medications, and vitamins and supplements.

2. Human prescription medicines commonly seen in pet poisoning cases are, not surprisingly, the medications most frequently taken by people. Commonly reported medications that lead to a pet emergency include:

• Antidepressants

• Stimulant medications (like those taken for ADHD)

• Anticonvulsants (for seizures or other neurological disorders)

• Heart medication

• Anti-inflammatory medications

3. Many human foods can be toxic to pets. Even one ingredient in a food item can be deadly to animals. For example, the artificial sweetener xylitol — found in products like breath mints and sugar-free foods — is toxic to pets. A few other common foods that can lead to poisoning in cats and dogs include:

• Grapes

• Raisins 

• Onions

• Garlic

• Protein bars 

4. Chocolate gets its own mention on the list. It contains theobromine and caffeine, a combination that can dangerously speed up a dog’s heart rate. Be sure to keep your chocolate sweets away from pets. You can use this toxicity calculator to help determine if your dog ate too much chocolate. 

5. Both indoor and outdoor flowers and plants can be poisonous to pets. Look at this toxic flowers and plants guide before bringing plants into your home or garden.

6. Household supplies (cleaning, home repair) such as paint, adhesives, and household cleaners are another common reported cause of pet poisoning. Keep these items locked up and out of reach of curious creatures.

7. Rodenticides (mouse and rat poisons) contain toxins that can be deadly to humans, pets, and other animals. Read all directions on the packages, and place these where children and pets cannot access them.

8. Veterinary products — such as flavored or chewable medications — can also be a risk. Their appealing taste can lead a pet to devour an entire bottle, an unsafe dose of these medications.

9. Insecticide includes ant baits, bug sprays, and other yard products used for killing insects inside and outside. If possible, try using natural alternatives.

10. Garden products, particularly fertilizers, are incredibly appealing and toxic to dogs. Keep gardening supplies securely out of paw’s reach, and keep pets out of freshly fertilized garden areas.

Quiz: Which household items are dangerous for dogs?

What are the symptoms of poisoning in pets?

Poisoning symptoms in pets vary depending on the toxin the animal was exposed to. However, the Pet Poison Helpline suggests being aware of these common signs of poisoning:

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Drooling

• Lack of appetite

• Increased thirst and urination

• Pale gums

• Coughing or vomiting up blood

• Nosebleeds

• Blood in the stool

• Racing heart rate

• Weakness or lethargy

• Collapse

• Confusion

When should you call a pet poison hotline?

In poisoning cases, the sooner your pet gets treatment, the better. Contact your vet or a pet poison hotline as soon as you suspect that your pet has ingested or been exposed to a potential toxin. Do not cause your pet to vomit or begin home remedies without consulting a poison control specialist or your veterinarian. 

What can you do to lower the risk of poisoning in your pets?

You can reduce the risk of pet poisoning by knowing the most common pet toxins and pet-proofing your home. The Pet Poison Helpline created a guide to help identify toxins that might be lurking in each room of your home.

Here are additional steps you can take:

• Crate train your pet. Not only does crate training assist in housebreaking a new puppy or kitten, but it also keeps your pet out of harm’s way when you cannot have eyes on them.

• Secure all trash bins. This includes both inside and outside bins. Pets don’t know if food is moldy or expired, and eating from the trash could lead to danger.

• Teach your dog to “drop it” on command. This way, when you see them pick up an object they shouldn’t have, you can tell them to drop it. This command can save your pet’s life.

• Remember, “tamper-resistant” containers are not pet proof. Keep all containers out of reach of pets. Close and lock all cabinets, pantries, and medicine cabinets.Keep all household cleaning supplies in a cabinet or closet that your pet cannot open.

• Have a pet first-aid kit on hand. Store it with your family's first-aid kit, so you remember to take it on vacations.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Lauren Lee, BA, MA

Lauren Lee, BA, MA, is a writer specializing in animal care and pet health content. Since she was a young child, her passions have been writing and anything to do with animals.

Edited by:

Renée Fabian, MA

Renée Fabian is the senior pet health editor at GoodRx. She’s worked for nearly 10 years as a journalist and editor across a wide range of health and well-being topics.

Reviewed by:

Ghanasyam Bey, DVM

Ghanasyam Bey, DVM, is from Cleveland, Ohio, and attended Princeton University for undergraduate studies. After a year of biology research at Duke University, he attended Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine.

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