Suspect poisoning? US: ASPCA Poison Control (888) 426-4435 · UK: 01202 509 000 · Severe symptoms → nearest emergency vet now.
Home / Questions

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.

Prefer to run the tool?

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
Dogs · Food safety I've been giving my 15 lb dog one mini marshmallow every day for weeks — what long-term issues could this cause? Giving a marshmallow daily is not recommended and can lead to long-term issues. The regular sugar intake… Dogs · Food safety My dog got into a cup of strawberry kefir — how is that different from the plain kind, and what should I do? Flavoured kefir is the problem, not plain. While a small amount of plain kefir can be safe for some dogs… Cats · Food safety My 3-month-old kitten snatched a bite of cooked beef with gravy — is plain beef still safe for kittens her age? Plain cooked lean beef is safe and a good protein source for a growing kitten, but the gravy and seasoning… Dogs · Food safety My dog ripped open and ate a single-serve packet of green tea matcha powder — is this a hidden caffeine emergency? Yes, this is an emergency. Matcha powder is concentrated green tea leaves, making it a potent hidden source… Dogs · Food safety My 15 lb dog licked some hummus that had bell pepper in it. Is that okay? Yes, that's fine. Bell peppers themselves are safe for dogs, and a small lick of hummus containing them is… Dogs · Food safety My 8-pound Chihuahua licked a tiny piece of peeled water chestnut — is this dangerous? No, this is completely safe. Peeled water chestnut, whether raw or cooked, is non-toxic to dogs even in small… Dogs · Food safety My golden retriever ate cooked chicken that was left out overnight — should I induce vomiting? No need to induce vomiting unless your vet advises it. Plain cooked chicken itself isn't toxic, but spoiled… Dogs · Food safety I give my 50-pound pitbull pitted plum pieces weekly — could this cause long-term harm? Weekly feeding isn't ideal. While the flesh itself isn't toxic, plums contain natural sugars and acids that… Cats · Food safety My 1-year-old tabby ate 3-day-old refrigerated couscous — what signs should I watch for? Monitor for vomiting or diarrhea within 24 hours. Plain couscous itself is safe, but spoiled grains can… Dogs · Food safety My 15-pound dachshund had loose stools after eating canned tuna in water — is this an allergy? More likely temporary digestive upset than allergy. Tuna's high protein and oil content can overwhelm small… Cats · Food safety Can my 6-month pregnant cat have a thin slice of ripe guava as an occasional treat? Yes, occasionally in moderation. Remove all seeds first as they may cause intestinal blockage. The vitamin C… Cats · Emergency guide My outdoor cat gets stung by wasps 2-3 times yearly — could this cause lasting damage? Repeated stings increase anaphylaxis risk. Each exposure sensitizes the immune system, making future… Cats · Food safety My 10-week-old kitten stole Christmas ham scraps — how much salt is dangerous for her size? Even a few bites could be risky. Kittens under 3 months are highly sensitive to salt — just 1/4 teaspoon of… Cats · Food safety Which is worse for cats — a speck of garlic powder or a small piece of raw onion? Garlic powder is 5 times more toxic than onion by weight. Both damage red blood cells, but concentrated… Dogs · Food safety My 7 kg terrier grabbed a raw cauliflower floret from the buffet table. Is this an emergency? No, this is not an emergency. Raw cauliflower is safe for dogs in small amounts, though it can be a bit… Cats · Food safety How much green onion is toxic to a 4 kg adult cat — is half a raw stalk a dangerous amount? Yes, half a raw green onion stalk is a dangerous amount for a 4 kg cat. Green onions, like all alliums, are… Cats · Food safety My diabetic 5 kg cat licked a teaspoon of molasses off a spoon — is this a vet emergency? A single lick of molasses is unlikely to be an emergency, but for a diabetic cat, even a small amount of… Cats · Food safety Is rhubarb toxic to a pregnant 3 kg cat if she nibbled a few leaves from the garden? Yes, this is an urgent situation. Rhubarb leaves are highly toxic to all cats due to oxalates that can cause… Dogs · Emergency guide Are commercial dog treats or supplements that contain 'snake venom' or 'viper extract' safe for my 10 kg terrier? No, you should never give your dog any treat or supplement claiming to contain snake venom or viper extract.… Dogs · Food safety My 7 kg Shih Tzu ate a piece of mouldy coconut flesh left out overnight — is this dangerous? Yes, mouldy coconut can be dangerous due to mycotoxins produced by the mould, which can cause vomiting… Cats · Food safety Can my senior cat with chronic kidney disease have a few licks of coconut water or fresh coconut meat? It's best to avoid coconut water and limit fresh coconut meat for a cat with kidney disease. Coconut water is… Cats · Food safety My 6 kg cat ate a spoonful of buttery halibut and vomited once. What should I do after this? Yes, plain halibut is safe for cats, but the butter and fat can cause stomach upset. Vomiting once is a… Cats · Food safety My 8-year-old cat just ate a few chunks of raw wild rabbit left out overnight — what's my first step? This is not an immediate poisoning emergency, but raw wild rabbit carries risks of parasites and bacteria. Do… Cats · Food safety My senior cat licked a spoonful of pea-and-carrot baby food from my plate, should I worry? Peas themselves are safe for cats, so a small taste of baby food containing them is fine. Just check the… Dogs · Food safety My 5 kg dog ate a few dried cranberries and had mild diarrhea. What should I watch for now? Cranberries are safe for dogs, so any mild digestive upset should pass quickly. Just watch your dog for the… Dogs · Food safety What happens after my dog eats half a cup of plain cooked pork, and how long should I monitor him? Typically, no immediate concerns. Monitor for 24 hours for signs like vomiting or diarrhea. If symptoms… Dogs · Food safety My 4 kg Chihuahua ate a gingerbread cookie. Is ginger safe for tiny dogs? Yes, ginger is safe for dogs. A small amount like the pinch in a cookie is fine and might even help an upset… Dogs · Food safety My 10-pound terrier ate a whole bag of venison jerky treats. Should I be worried? No, plain cooked venison like jerky is safe for dogs. The main concern is the high salt content in many… Dogs · Food safety Are dog chews with ketchup flavor safe for my 10-pound puppy? No, it's best to avoid them. Ketchup contains sugar, salt, and onion powder, which are not ideal for a small… Dogs · Food safety My dog grabbed a spoonful of chestnut stuffing from the Christmas table. She's a 15 lb terrier, should I worry? No, a small amount like that is not a worry. Cooked, peeled chestnuts are safe for dogs and are lower in fat…

Page 27 of 337

The library keeps growing. Can’t find your situation? Open the matching toxicity calculator and enter weight plus amount for an instant risk level.