Pet Emergency Resources
Pet Poison Control Resources
Current veterinary poison-control services and reliable resources for suspected poisoning in dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, and other companion animals.
Primary Pet Poison-Control Services
ASPCA Poison Control
Phone: (888) 426-4435
ASPCA Poison Control provides animal poison-related emergency assistance 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for pet owners and veterinary professionals. A consultation fee may apply.
Pet Poison Helpline
Phone: (855) 764-7661
Pet Poison Helpline is a 24/7 animal poison-control service for pet owners and veterinary professionals. A consultation fee applies. The service can assess the exposure, advise whether veterinary treatment is needed, and work with the treating veterinarian when appropriate.
What to Have Ready When You Call
If it can be done safely, have the following information available:
- your pet's species, breed, age, sex, and approximate weight;
- the product, medication, plant, food, chemical, or other substance involved;
- the package, label, ingredient list, prescription bottle, or photograph of the substance;
- the estimated amount swallowed, inhaled, contacted, or otherwise exposed to;
- the approximate time the exposure occurred;
- any vomiting, drooling, weakness, tremors, seizures, breathing difficulty, abnormal behavior, or other signs;
- any medications or medical conditions your pet already has.
Bring the container or label with you if your pet is being taken to a veterinary hospital, but do not put yourself at risk retrieving a hazardous chemical or contaminated object.
Reliable Pet Toxin Reference Sites
ASPCA Poison Control — Household Products
The ASPCA maintains educational information on common household products that may poison pets. These lists are useful for prevention but should not be used to decide that an exposure is safe when a pet has already ingested something.
ASPCA Poisonous Household Products
ASPCA — People Foods to Avoid Feeding Pets
Information about foods that may cause poisoning or illness in dogs and cats, including chocolate, xylitol-containing products, grapes and raisins, onions and garlic, alcohol, and other hazards.
ASPCA People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets
Pet Poison Helpline — Poison List
A searchable educational list of common toxins affecting pets, including medications, foods, plants, chemicals, and household products.
Pet Poison Helpline Common Poison List
U.S. Food and Drug Administration — Potentially Dangerous Items for Your Pet
The FDA provides pet-owner information on household products, foods, medications, and other items that can be dangerous to companion animals. FDA specifically advises owners who suspect an exposure to contact their veterinarian or a pet poison-control center promptly.
FDA Potentially Dangerous Items for Your Pet
American Veterinary Medical Association — Household Hazards
The AVMA provides preventive information about medications, foods, chemicals, plants, and other household hazards that may affect pets.
Toxic Plant Resources
ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant Database
The ASPCA maintains a searchable database of plants reported as toxic or non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Plant identification can be difficult, and toxicity varies among species, plant parts, dose, and individual animals. If a pet has eaten an unknown plant, contact a veterinarian or pet poison-control service rather than relying only on a web search.
ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants
See also Dr. Bob's Poisonous Chemicals and Plants page for additional educational information.
Important Reminder
Websites and poison lists are useful for prevention and general education, but they cannot account for the amount ingested, concentration, formulation, body weight, concurrent disease, or time since exposure. When poisoning is suspected, individualized veterinary toxicology advice is more appropriate than attempting to calculate risk from an internet list.