# Antifreeze Poisoning in Pets UK — Cats & Dogs — Quick answer

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/antifreeze-poisoning-pets-uk): Antifreeze Poisoning in Pets UK — Cats & Dogs — Quick answer. Antifreeze is a winter emergency. Ethylene glycol causes fatal kidney failure in cats and dogs. If you suspect any ingestion — even a lick — phone your vet or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 immediately. Never use antifreeze where pets can access it; clean spills at once.

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/antifreeze-poisoning-pets-uk): Antifreeze Poisoning in Pets UK — Cats & Dogs — Key takeaways. Ethylene glycol in antifreeze causes fatal kidney failure in cats and dogs — even a small lick can be enough. UK winters see more cases when drivers drain and refill coolant; spills on driveways and garages are a common exposure. Call your vet or Animal PoisonLine (01202 509000) immediately — do not wait for symptoms; the treatment window is narrow.

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/antifreeze-poisoning-pets-uk): Antifreeze Poisoning in Pets UK — Cats & Dogs — Why UK winters see more cases. Ethylene glycol in antifreeze tastes sweet to cats and dogs, which is why even small spills on driveways and in garages are so dangerous. Drivers often drain and refill coolant in cold weather, increasing exposure.

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/antifreeze-poisoning-pets-uk): Antifreeze Poisoning in Pets UK — Cats & Dogs — Time to symptoms. | Stage | Typical timing | What you may see | |---|---|---| | Early (drunk stage) | 30 minutes to a few hours | Wobbliness, vomiting, thirst, acting drunk | | Quiet / seeming better | Hours later | Temporary improvement — do not assume safety | | Kidney failure | 12–72 hours (species and dose vary) | Not eating, lethargy, reduced urination, collapse | Treatment window is narrow — do not wait overnight.

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/antifreeze-poisoning-pets-uk): Antifreeze Poisoning in Pets UK — Cats & Dogs — Early signs (first hours). - Drunk or wobbly walking - Vomiting - Excessive thirst and urination - Seizures in severe cases

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/antifreeze-poisoning-pets-uk): Antifreeze Poisoning in Pets UK — Cats & Dogs — Later signs (kidney failure). - Not eating - Lethargy - Collapse

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/antifreeze-poisoning-pets-uk): Antifreeze Poisoning in Pets UK — Cats & Dogs — What to do immediately. 1. Call your vet or Animal PoisonLine (01202 509000) now — do not wait for symptoms 2. Report what was licked or drunk, approximate amount, and time 3. Do not induce vomiting unless a vet instructs you 4. If advised to go in and your practice is closed, use the Vets Now emergency clinic finder (https://www.vets-now.com/find-an-emergency-vet/) Early antidote treatment can save kidneys; delay often means irreversible failure.

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/antifreeze-poisoning-pets-uk): Antifreeze Poisoning in Pets UK — Cats & Dogs — Prevention. - Use pet-safe propylene glycol products where possible - Store containers locked away - Clean spills with absorbent material and dispose safely - Check cats in from areas where cars are serviced

Source: https://pethealth.org.uk/health/antifreeze-poisoning-pets-uk