Suspect poisoning? US: ASPCA Poison Control (888) 426-4435 · UK: 01202 509 000 · Severe symptoms → nearest emergency vet now.
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Poisoning questions, answered

Every question has a direct answer, a symptom checklist and clear next steps — plus a matching tool that estimates the real risk.

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The four most-used triage calculators:

chocolate · open tool My dog ate dark chocolate — how much is dangerous? grapes & raisins · open tool My dog ate one grape. Should I panic? xylitol · open tool Dog ate sugar-free gum with xylitol — emergency? lily · open tool Cat licked a lily petal — is that fatal?
Full answer library
Cats · Food safety My 3.2‑kg indoor cat just licked a tiny piece of plain cooked turkey that fell on the floor 10 minutes ago—should I worry? No, a tiny lick of plain cooked turkey isn’t an emergency for your 3‑kg cat. The meat has no bone, skin… Cats · Food safety My cat jumped on the counter while I was stirring salmon with ground flaxseed — he got a lick or two off the spoon. Should I worry? No, one lick from the spoon is harmless. A pinch of ground flaxseed is safe for cats and the small amount on… Dogs · Emergency guide My 12 kg dog licked a green smoothie that had a chunk of Dieffenbachia leaf in it — will he get the burning mouth? Yes, even a small amount on his tongue can cause immediate burning and drooling. The needle-like crystals in… Cats · Emergency guide My 4 kg cat loves chasing the kitchen tap drips — how can I stop her drinking too much water? Yes, a small cat drinking constantly from a drip is at risk for water intoxication. The danger comes from the… Cats · Food safety My 3 kg cat just licked a piece of beef jerky — is the seasoning in jerky dangerous for cats? No, a single lick is unlikely to cause immediate harm. The real risk is the high salt and spices in jerky… Cats · Toxicity calculator My 5 kg cat ate one slug bait pellet and is now wobbly — does her small size make this worse? Yes, and call your vet or the ASPCA Poison Control line at 888-426-4435 now. A smaller body means the toxin… Dogs · Food safety My 15 kg dog got into a pack of sugar-free gum and the vet gave him IV dextrose. What happens next? Your dog will need to stay at the clinic for at least 12 to 24 hours for close monitoring. The vet will check… Cats · Food safety My 3 kg cat licked a spoonful of organic baby food that lists sweet potato as the main ingredient. Is that okay? Yes, that's fine. Plain cooked sweet potato is safe for cats, and baby food is essentially just mashed and… Cats · Emergency guide My 5-year-old indoor cat has been stealing and chewing pear cores every day for two weeks — is this slowly poisoning her? Yes — this adds up. Each time she chews the seeds, amygdalin releases cyanide, and with daily intake her body… Cats · Food safety How do I keep my 3 kg indoor cat off the counter where I leave fresh coconut cut in half overnight? Sticky tape across the counter edge works — she'll feel the tack under her paws and back off without you… Cats · Food safety Can a 3-month-old kitten safely lick a small dab of plain tahini from my spoon? Yes, a small lick is fine. Plain tahini is safe for cats in tiny amounts — it is just ground sesame with a… Cats · Food safety How much hot chocolate can a 2 kg cat safely lick? Licking a small amount of hot chocolate is unlikely to harm a 2 kg cat. However, if your cat licks a lot, it… Cats · Food safety My 4 kg cat ate half a kumquat with peel, but my dog didn't touch it. Should I treat them differently? Yes, focus on the cat. Citrus peel oils can irritate a cat's mouth and stomach, causing drooling or vomiting… Dogs · Emergency guide My 5 kg small dog chewed and swallowed three crushed pear pits. Is this an emergency for her size? Yes, call your vet or the ASPCA poison line at 888-426-4435 now. The cyanide risk from crushed pits is… Cats · Emergency guide Are commercial dental chews or treats that contain xylitol-based pet toothpaste gel safe for my 3 kg cat? No, avoid any product listing xylitol. While cats are less sensitive than dogs, xylitol can still cause… Dogs · Food safety My 7 kg dog grabbed a bite of chocolate birthday cake at a party. What do I do right now? Call your vet now. Chocolate is the urgent issue here, not just the cake itself. Tell them your dog's weight… Cats · Food safety Is it okay to add a tablespoon of plain cooked bison to my 4 kg cat's wet food every day long-term? Yes, a daily tablespoon is fine as a protein topper. The risk isn't toxicity — it's that you're changing the… Cats · Food safety How can I stop my curious 3 kg kitten from nibbling fresh dill in my indoor herb garden? Use physical barriers first. A simple clear plastic cloche over the pot works better than hoping she'll lose… Dogs · Food safety My 2‑month‑old, 1.8kg puppy ate two bites of plain cooked salmon 20 minutes ago – is that okay? Yes, two bites of plain cooked salmon are safe for a 1.8kg, 2‑month‑old puppy. Cooked, boneless salmon… Cats · Emergency guide How do I keep my 4 kg cat from getting into my alprazolam pills that I keep on the nightstand? You need to move the pills immediately. A single alprazolam tablet can cause agitation or profound sedation… Dogs · Emergency guide My 12 kg dog swallowed a sertraline pill 36 hours ago, was treated at the vet, and is now home. What should I watch for in the next few days? Watch closely for delayed signs of serotonin syndrome, which can appear up to 24 hours after ingestion even… Cats · Emergency guide My cat licked her paw after walking on a floor I just cleaned with ammonia spray — she's drooling a little. Is this an emergency? Yes, call your vet or the ASPCA poison line at 888-426-4435 now. Ammonia is corrosive, and licking it off her… Dogs · Emergency guide Could a prescribed dose of ciprofloxacin give my 20 kg dog with a sensitive stomach diarrhea and gas? Yes, gastrointestinal upset like diarrhea, gas, and vomiting is a common side effect of fluoroquinolone… Dogs · Emergency guide Is concentrated ammonia window cleaner more dangerous to dogs than the diluted ready-to-use spray? Yes, the concentrated form is far more corrosive and dangerous. Even a small lick of concentrate can cause… Cats · Food safety Can I give a few spoonfuls of plain, cooled oatmeal to my 10-week-old kitten for the first time? Yes, a couple of small spoonfuls of plain, cooked, and cooled oatmeal is safe for a kitten. Ensure it has no… Cats · Food safety Do any common wet cat foods or cat treats list hot dog or similar processed meats as an ingredient? It's highly unlikely, as reputable cat food brands avoid using human-style processed meats like hot dogs due… Dogs · Emergency guide Are over-the-counter cat joint supplement chews that contain glucosamine safe if my 18 kg dog eats the whole bag? No, this is not safe and requires a call to your vet. While glucosamine itself is often used in dogs… Dogs · Emergency guide My 15 kg dog just swallowed one 30 mg pseudoephedrine tablet I dropped. What are the very first things I should do in the next 30 minutes? Call your veterinarian or a pet poison helpline immediately. Do not wait for signs like pacing or a racing… Cats · Emergency guide My 4 kg cat licked some liquid Baytril that was left out for a week — is it still toxic? Yes, it is still toxic and this is an emergency. The main danger is the drug itself, not spoilage, and a… Cats · Emergency guide Are commercial cat calming supplements with fluoxetine safe for my 4 kg anxious cat? No, fluoxetine in any form is unsafe for cats without direct veterinary supervision. Human-grade SSRIs like…

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