When should I take my pet to an emergency vet?

Go immediately for difficulty breathing, collapse, seizures, uncontrolled bleeding, suspected poisoning, bloat in dogs, a male cat straining to urinate with little output, or a rabbit that has stopped eating and passing droppings. If you are unsure, phone the practice — a triage call is cheaper than a night that started too late.

How do I find an out-of-hours vet in the UK?

Call your registered practice first; the answerphone names the night cover. If you have no usual vet, use the PETHEALTH+ out-of-hours directory or a dedicated emergency clinic. Phone ahead so the team can prepare and advise on safe transport.

Should I call before travelling?

Yes, when you can. Phone ahead so the team can prepare, tell you whether to come in, and advise on transport. Keep your pet calm and warm. Do not delay leaving if they cannot breathe or have collapsed.

Is the PDSA open for emergencies?

PDSA provides care for eligible clients — check current eligibility on pdsa.org.uk. Others should use their registered vet's out-of-hours service. Charity routes are not a substitute for tonight's emergency clinic if your animal is crashing.

Who should not wait until morning?

Anyone whose pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is bloated and retching, is a male cat crying in the tray, is a rabbit with no food or droppings, or may have eaten a toxin. Waiting overnight is the expensive option, not the cheap one.

Pet Care

When to See an Emergency Vet in the UK

Published 1 June 2026Last updated 13 August 20265 min read

Quick answer

Take your pet to an emergency vet immediately if they have difficulty breathing, collapse, seizures, severe bleeding, suspected poisoning, a bloated dog abdomen, a male cat unable to urinate, or a rabbit not eating or passing droppings. In the UK, use your vet's out-of-hours number or our out-of-hours directory. For toxins, call Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 while you travel. Skip this page if they are crashing — phone first.

Key takeaways

Go now for difficulty breathing, collapse, seizures, uncontrolled bleeding, suspected poisoning, dog bloat, a male cat that cannot urinate, or a rabbit not eating.
Out of hours, use your vet's recorded message or the PETHEALTH+ out-of-hours directory — phone ahead when you can.
For toxins, call Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 while travelling — do not wait for symptoms, and do not induce vomiting unless a vet tells you to.

Should you go to an emergency vet tonight?

Yes, if any red-flag sign below is present — do not wait for morning surgery. No, if it is a single mild diarrhoea in a bright dog, or one skipped meal with no other signs; book same-day or next-day instead. When you are unsure, phone the practice: triage is what the night team is for. This page is a checklist, not a diagnosis.

Use the symptom checker for language, then still call if your gut says something is wrong.

What are the dog emergencies that cannot wait?

Go now for:

Bloat (GDV) — swollen, tight abdomen, retching without vomit, restlessness. Deep-chested breeds are over-represented; minutes matter. See bloat in dogs
Collapse or inability to stand
Difficulty breathing, blue or pale gums, or choking
Seizures that last more than a couple of minutes, cluster, or happen in a dog that has never fitted
Known toxin — chocolate, xylitol, grapes, raisins, rat poison, ibuprofen, antifreeze. Calculator pages are a rough guide only; phone regardless
Heatstroke — heavy panting, collapse, distress after heat or exercise
Uncontrolled bleeding

Chocolate and grape numbers belong on their own guides and calculators. Do not finish a dose table while they are collapsing.

What are the cat emergencies that cannot wait?

Go now for:

Straining to urinate with little or no output, especially in males — a blocked bladder is life-threatening. See cat straining to urinate
Open-mouth breathing or rapid breathing at rest. See cat breathing fast
Not eating for about 24 hours in an otherwise small or overweight cat (hepatic lipidosis risk). See cat not eating
Lily or antifreeze exposure — do not wait for symptoms. Lily poisoning
Collapse, seizures, or severe pain

A cat crying in the litter tray is not “constipated until proven otherwise” if they are male and producing nothing.

What are the rabbit emergencies that cannot wait?

Rabbits hide pain and their gut must keep moving. Go now for:

Not eating hay, or no droppings, for around 12 hours
Hunched, grinding teeth, bloated abdomen — gut stasis
Flystrike — maggots on the rear in warm weather
Head tilt with rolling

Do not syringe-feed or give leftover gut medicines without a vet. The owner question why is my rabbit not eating? is the same emergency with a different heading.

How do you find emergency care in the UK?

When	What to do
Daytime, you have a usual vet	Phone them. They know the record and the night cover
Out of hours	Follow the recorded message, or browse out-of-hours vets
No registered practice	Still phone a clinic before you drive; confirm they see your species
Suspected poison	Call Animal PoisonLine 01202 509000 and a vet, with the packaging

Bring vaccination records, a medication list and insurance details if you can find them in under a minute. Do not hunt paperwork while they cannot breathe. Confirm the premises on RCVS Find a Vet when you have time — not as a delay tonight.

Typical out-of-hours consultation bands are higher than daytime consults; see how much a vet costs and the Vet Price Index. Cost is not a reason to wait on the red-flag list.

What is not usually an emergency?

A single episode of mild diarrhoea in an otherwise bright, drinking dog; one skipped meal without other signs; a minor scratch that has stopped bleeding. Those can often wait for a same-day or next-day appointment. Trust your instinct if energy, gums, breathing or pain change. Pet first aid covers pressure and transport — it does not replace the clinic.

PDSA and other charity routes help eligible owners with planned care. They are not a reason to skip tonight's emergency clinic if the animal is crashing. PDSA eligibility.

Who should skip reading and just phone?

Anyone looking at a dog that cannot get comfortable with a tight belly, a cat producing no urine, a rabbit with an empty bowl and empty hutch floor, or a packet of rat bait on the kitchen tile. Phone, then drive. This checklist will still be here in the morning.

Sources & further reading

Facts in this guide are rewritten in plain English from publicly available UK advice. We name the organisation where a specific point comes from their guidance. Links below go to the original pages — use them to read the source material directly.

PETHEALTH+ is independent. These organisations do not sponsor, approve, or partner with this website. Guidance checked against sources listed below (last updated 2026-08-13).

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I take my pet to an emergency vet?: Go immediately for difficulty breathing, collapse, seizures, uncontrolled bleeding, suspected poisoning, bloat in dogs, a male cat straining to urinate with little output, or a rabbit that has stopped eating and passing droppings. If you are unsure, phone the practice — a triage call is cheaper than a night that started too late.
How do I find an out-of-hours vet in the UK?: Call your registered practice first; the answerphone names the night cover. If you have no usual vet, use the PETHEALTH+ out-of-hours directory or a dedicated emergency clinic. Phone ahead so the team can prepare and advise on safe transport.
Should I call before travelling?: Yes, when you can. Phone ahead so the team can prepare, tell you whether to come in, and advise on transport. Keep your pet calm and warm. Do not delay leaving if they cannot breathe or have collapsed.
Is the PDSA open for emergencies?: PDSA provides care for eligible clients — check current eligibility on pdsa.org.uk. Others should use their registered vet's out-of-hours service. Charity routes are not a substitute for tonight's emergency clinic if your animal is crashing.
Who should not wait until morning?: Anyone whose pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is bloated and retching, is a male cat crying in the tray, is a rabbit with no food or droppings, or may have eaten a toxin. Waiting overnight is the expensive option, not the cheap one.