What to do if your pet has eaten something toxic
Follow these steps. Most cases are treatable when caught early.
What to do right now
- 1
Stay calm and note the time
Write down or remember when you think your pet ate it. This matters more than it feels like it should.
- 2
Work out how much they ate
Check what's missing or left over. An estimate is fine, exact numbers aren't required.
- 3
Don't make them sick unless told to
Some substances cause more damage coming back up. Wait for advice from a vet or the Animal Poison Line before doing anything.
- 4
Get help using the options below
Use the checklist further down so you're ready with the details when you call.
Call your vet, or go straight to an emergency clinic?
Call your vet
Your regular vet, or their out-of-hours line if closed. Good first call if you're unsure or the amount eaten was small.
Go straight to an emergency clinic
If the amount eaten was large, symptoms have already started, or you can't reach your vet, don't wait, go straight in.
Have this ready when you call
- Your pet's weight
- What they ate
- Roughly how much
- When it happened
UK resources
Animal Poison Line (UK)
24/7 emergency helpline, charges apply
PDSA
Advice and emergency guidance
Blue Cross
Advice and emergency guidance