Pet poisoning guide (UK)
Quick answer
Key takeaways
- Do not wait for symptoms — phone your vet or Animal PoisonLine first.
- Never induce vomiting unless a vet specifically tells you to.
- Keep packaging or a photo of what was eaten — it helps dose and treatment decisions.
Do
- Call your vet or Animal PoisonLine (01202 509000) straight away.
- Note the time, amount, and product name if known.
- Use the chocolate or grape calculator only as a prompt — then phone.
Don't
- Don't give human medicines (including salt water or hydrogen peroxide).
- Don't wait to "see if they're fine" overnight.
- Don't assume a small amount is safe — grapes and lilies have no safe dose.
Poison calculators
Estimate risk if your dog ate chocolate or grapes — then phone your vet regardless of the result.
Common UK poisons
The poisons UK vets see most often — the first action is the same for almost all of them: phone your vet before symptoms start.
| Poison | Risk | What to do | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chocolate poisoning in dogs | High — theobromine toxicity | Phone your vet — the calculator can estimate risk, but call regardless of the result. | Read → |
| Xylitol poisoning in dogs | High — hypoglycaemia and liver failure | Phone your vet immediately — even small amounts are dangerous. | Read → |
| Lily poisoning in cats | Critical — kidney failure | Emergency — phone your vet even for pollen on fur; do not wait. | Read → |
| Grape poisoning in dogs | High — kidney damage | Phone your vet after any ingestion — there is no safe dose. | Read → |
| Antifreeze poisoning in pets | Critical — ethylene glycol; common in winter | Emergency — phone your vet immediately; early treatment is critical. | Read → |
| Rat bait poisoning | High — anticoagulant rodenticides | Phone your vet — take the bait packaging with you if you can. | Read → |
| Onion and garlic poisoning | High — red blood cell damage in dogs and cats | Phone your vet — signs can be delayed, so do not wait for them. | Read → |
| Ibuprofen poisoning | Critical — never give human NSAIDs to pets | Emergency — phone your vet straight away. | Read → |
| Slug and snail pellet poisoning | High — metaldehyde toxicity | Emergency — phone your vet immediately; do not wait for tremors. | Read → |
| Compost & mould poisoning | High — tremorgenic mycotoxins from mouldy food and compost | Phone your vet — note what was eaten and when. | Read → |
| Blue-green algae poisoning | Critical — cyanobacteria in lakes and ponds (summer) | Emergency — rinse your pet off, stop further drinking, phone your vet. | Read → |
Some risks are seasonal: antifreeze spills are most common in winter, blue-green algae blooms in warm summer water, and slug pellets appear in gardens from spring onwards. Whatever the season, the rule is the same — do not wait for symptoms. By the time a poisoned pet looks ill, treatment is harder and outcomes are worse.
About Animal PoisonLine
Animal PoisonLine (01202 509000) is a UK triage line for suspected pet poisoning — a fee may apply, and phoning your own vet first is always the right instinct. The line can tell you whether the amount your pet ate is likely to be dangerous, which saves an unnecessary dash to the emergency clinic — or confirms that the dash is needed. Vets themselves can consult the Veterinary Poisons Information Service for treatment guidance.
Emergency action
- Remove your pet from the source and prevent further ingestion.
- Call your vet or Animal PoisonLine — do not wait for symptoms.
- Keep packaging, labels or photos of what was eaten.
- Transport to a vet promptly if advised — use Vets Now clinic finder for out-of-hours emergencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What should I do if my pet eats something toxic?
- Do not wait for symptoms. Contact your vet immediately or call Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000. Keep packaging or a photo of what was eaten.
- Is there a UK pet poison helpline?
- Animal PoisonLine (01202 509000) provides specialist advice for pet poisoning cases in the UK. Your vet can also contact the Veterinary Poisons Information Service.
- Are lilies dangerous to cats?
- Yes. True lilies can cause fatal kidney failure in cats. Even pollen on fur is dangerous. See our lily poisoning guide for full details.