Pet poisoning guide (UK)
If you think your pet has been poisoned, contact your vet immediately or call Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000. Do not induce vomiting unless your vet tells you to.
Poison calculators
Estimate risk if your dog ate chocolate or grapes — then phone your vet regardless of the result.
Common UK poisons
- Chocolate poisoning in dogs
High — theobromine toxicity
- Xylitol poisoning in dogs
High — hypoglycaemia and liver failure
- Lily poisoning in cats
Critical — kidney failure
- Grape poisoning in dogs
High — kidney damage
- Antifreeze poisoning in pets
Critical — ethylene glycol; common in winter
- Rat bait poisoning
High — anticoagulant rodenticides
- Onion and garlic poisoning
High — red blood cell damage in dogs and cats
- Ibuprofen poisoning
Critical — never give human NSAIDs to pets
- Slug and snail pellet poisoning
High — metaldehyde toxicity
- Compost & mould poisoning
High — tremorgenic mycotoxins from mouldy food and compost
- Blue-green algae poisoning
Critical — cyanobacteria in lakes and ponds (summer)
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.