First steps
- Call CARE at (757) 703-0199. Tell us what was eaten, how much, and when.
- Bring the package, bottle or plant with you, or a photo of the label.
- Note the time and your best guess at the amount.
- Do not make your pet vomit unless a veterinarian tells you to. Some substances do more damage coming back up.
- Do not wait for symptoms. Many poisons cause no signs until damage is already under way.
When CARE is closed, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center answers 24 hours a day at (888) 426-4435. A consultation fee applies.
How common is pet poisoning?
Very. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center received more than 451,000 calls in 2024, nearly 4% more than the year before (ASPCA).
The biggest categories it reported for 2024:
- Over-the-counter medications: 16.5%
- Human food and drinks: 16.1%
- Chocolate: 13.6%
- Veterinary products: 8.6%
- Plants and fungi: 8.1%
- Rodenticides (rat and mouse poison): 7%
- Household products: 6.5%
- Insecticides: 3.7%
- Recreational drugs: 2.1%
Human prescription medications also made the ASPCA's top 10.
Common pet poisons and why they are dangerous
| Toxin group | Common examples | Why it is dangerous | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human pain relievers | Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), acetaminophen (Tylenol) | Can cause stomach ulcers and kidney failure; acetaminophen is especially dangerous to cats (Merck) | Dog ate ibuprofen |
| Prescription medications | Antidepressants such as fluoxetine and sertraline, seizure medications, baclofen | Effects depend on the drug and can include agitation, tremors, seizures and heart rhythm changes | Hemoperfusion |
| Chocolate | Dark chocolate, baking chocolate, cocoa | Contains theobromine and caffeine; signs include vomiting, restlessness and a racing heart (Merck) | See below |
| Rat and mouse poison | Brodifacoum (d-CON, Talon), bromethalin | Anticoagulant baits stop the blood from clotting; bromethalin affects the brain | Blood transfusions |
| Lawn and garden chemicals | Carbamates, organophosphates, paraquat | Highly toxic to animals, often affecting the nervous system | Hemoperfusion |
| Toxic plants and mushrooms | Wild mushrooms, molds, some houseplants | Some mushroom toxins, such as amanitins, can cause severe illness within hours | Hemoperfusion |
What will the vet do if my dog ate poison?
The veterinarian will examine your dog, find out what was eaten and when, and choose treatment based on the toxin and timing. That can include making your dog vomit when it is safe, activated charcoal, IV fluids, blood work, monitoring and, for some toxins, hemoperfusion.
At CARE, treatment usually follows these steps:
- Decontamination when timing allows, so less of the toxin is absorbed.
- IV fluids to support blood pressure and help the kidneys clear the toxin.
- Blood work to check organ function and, for some poisons, blood clotting.
- Monitoring in hospital for as long as the toxin stays active.
- Hemoperfusion for the cases that qualify (see below).
How to flush poison out of a dog's system?
Don't try to do it at home. Home remedies such as salt, hydrogen peroxide or milk can make things worse, and some poisons should never be brought back up. A veterinarian decides how to remove the toxin safely.
When we use hemoperfusion
Hemoperfusion filters certain toxins directly out of the bloodstream, and very few veterinary hospitals offer it.
Your pet's blood passes through a special filter that captures the toxin and then returns to the body. It is considered when a pet has absorbed a dangerous dose of a toxin the filter can remove, especially when time matters. The toxins it can help with include ibuprofen, naproxen, some antidepressants and seizure medications, several rat poisons, mushroom toxins and garden chemicals. See the full list on our hemoperfusion page.
How quickly do dogs get sick from rat poison?
It depends on the type. With anticoagulant rat poisons, bleeding is typically noticed 3 to 7 days after a toxic dose (Merck), so a dog can look normal for days. Call as soon as you know or suspect your dog ate it.
Does dog food neutralize rat poison?
No. Food does not neutralize rat or mouse poison. Anticoagulant rat poison is treated with vitamin K1, the antidote, which Merck describes giving for 28 days, and a dog that is already bleeding may need a plasma or blood transfusion.
What will a vet do for a dog who ate chocolate?
If your dog ate it recently and still seems normal, the vet may make your dog vomit; Merck describes this for exposures within about 2 hours. After that, treatment centers on IV fluids, which help clear the toxin, plus monitoring and medication for restlessness or a racing heart.
How long after a dog eats chocolate will he get sick?
Signs usually appear within 6 to 12 hours (Merck). Dark and baking chocolate are the most dangerous, so call right away with the type and amount instead of waiting for symptoms.
How much does vet poison control cost?
The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, (888) 426-4435, charges a consultation fee; check its website for the current amount. Calling CARE during our hours costs nothing, and we will tell you whether your pet needs to come in.