- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Being a pet owner means keeping hazardous objects out of reach from our dogs and cats, but sometimes accidents happen. Perhaps your dog ate a sock from the laundry, or maybe your cat nibbled on a houseplant. There are a million scenarios where pets might ingest something they shouldn’t, from fabric to chemicals to hazardous human foods.
When pets do this, it can stem from curiosity, boredom, vying for attention, or pica, a condition in which the animal chews and eats inedible substances such as clothes, rocks, or plastic.
In the unfortunate event that your pet has eaten something dangerous, we spoke with two pet experts, Rover’s Pet People Panelist, Dr. Rebecca Greenstein, and Dr. Scott M. Rovner, DVM, founder and lead veterinarian at Roscoe Village Animal Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, about what to do.
Signs Your Pet Has Eaten Something They Shouldn’t
If you suspect your pet has gotten into a harmful substance or ingested a foreign or dangerous object, any of the following symptoms could be possible signs:
- Loss of appetite
- Severe lethargy
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Blood in stool
- Excessive drooling
- Pale gums
- Signs of choking or struggling to breathe
If you notice any of these behaviors, take your pet to the nearest emergency vet clinic right away.
What to Do if Your Pet Ingests a Foreign Object
From toys to socks, if your pet swallows a foreign object, it’s important to act quickly. This broad category includes anything inedible that a pet might ingest, from fabric to coins to other miscellaneous items around the house.
Different objects pose different risks. The acid in batteries, for example, can cause your pet to experience mouth ulcers and throat or stomach issues if eaten. The wrong dog toy can even become a health hazard if it’s small enough to be swallowed whole or not durable enough to withstand chewing.
If you are ever in doubt about what to do, call your vet or the nearest emergency vet clinic immediately.
While some small items may pass through an animal’s system naturally, it’s always best to call your vet to discuss the next steps. If you notice that your pet is experiencing extreme lethargy, blood in their stool, loss of appetite, trouble breathing, or other concerning symptoms, a trip to the emergency clinic is always the best course of action.
Rovner says that pets who ingest a foreign object should be seen by a vet as soon as possible. “Sometimes veterinarians are able to retrieve and remove the foreign object with an endoscope, avoiding abdominal surgery,” he says.
What to Do if Your Pet Ingests Toxic Food
While it might seem harmless to feed your dog scraps from the table, not every type of human food is dog or cat-friendly. Many common dangerous foods such as chocolate or grapes can be toxic to pets and should be kept out of reach. This might require extra care during the holidays if your pet is involved, since they may have a better shot at sneaking something they shouldn’t from the kitchen counter.
Common foods that pets should avoid include:
- Chocolate
- Grapes and raisins
- Macadamia nuts
- Onions
- Garlic
- Raw bread dough
- Alcohol
- Bones
- Xylitol Sweetener (found in many peanut butter brands)
If you notice signs of illness or know that your pet has eaten a harmful food (or a food they are allergic to), contact your vet immediately. If they’ve eaten a substantial amount of a toxic food (an entire carton of grapes versus one grape, for example), make sure to seek medical help right away. Keep in mind that different pets will react differently to certain doses, so it’s always better to be on the safe side.
What to Do if Your Pet Ingests a Poisonous Plant
Has your cat ever nibbled on houseplants or has your dog ever explored foliage during a walk? Unfortunately, one of the most common pet health hazards is certain plants and other natural substances.
As a pet parent, it’s important to know which plants are toxic to dogs and cats. These include:
- Algaes found in lakes and ponds
- Aloe Vera
- Baby’s Breath
- Calla Lily
- Chrysanthemum
- Daffodil
- Holly
- Hydrangea
- Marigold
- Peony
- Poinsettia
- Snowdrops
Ingesting a poisonous plant can cause seizures, excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, blood in stool, lethargy, and other symptoms. To learn more, view Rover’s full poisonous plant guide here.
24/7 Animal Poison Control Center: (855) 764-7661
If you notice any of these warning signs in your pet, seeking medical treatment from a vet is crucial. Even if you don’t see any symptoms, but you believe your pet has eaten something toxic, get in touch with your vet or call one of the trusted helplines below:
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435 (a consulting fee may apply)
- Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661 ($85 incident fee applies)
What to Do if Your Pet Ingests Toxic Chemicals
Dangerous chemicals that pose a risk to your pet may very well be sitting in your closet or under your sink. Many cleaning products, bleaches, insecticides, and detergents are harmful to your furbaby if ingested.
Certain household products include ingredients such as phenols and phthalates which are toxic to animals. In addition to symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite, toxic chemicals may also cause breathing problems, seizures, or rashes and burns to the skin.
In an instance where your pet has ingested chemicals, Rovner cautions against inducing vomiting. “Some substances will cause further harm if vomited up,” he says. “The first step should always be to contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.”
It’s worth swapping out these types of products in your home entirely in favor of pet-safe, non-toxic alternatives.
Prepare for Visiting the Vet During an Emergency
Emergency vet clinics provide around-the-clock care for pets who need immediate medical attention when their regular vet office is closed. Greenstein stresses the importance of knowing where your nearest 24-hour vet clinic is should a crisis arise—in some areas, they can be hard to find, or might be towns or cities away (there are locator sites where you can look up the closest emergency vet clinic by you).
“If your pet is being cared for by a sitter, make sure you share this contact information with them before they start watching your pet,” Greenstein says. “Also, keep the vet clinic’s phone number posted somewhere easy to see, like on your refrigerator, and not just on your phone.”
To ensure your pet gets the care they need as quickly as possible, Greenstein suggests calling the clinic to let them know you’re on your way. She also recommends familiarizing yourself with the type of questions the vet team may ask upon arrival:
- What has your pet ingested and how much?
- What symptoms are they showing?
- What is the color of your pet’s gums?
- Are they having trouble standing or walking?
- Does your pet seem feverish?
- Has your pet done something like this before?
- Does your pet take any medications and is there anything to know about their medical history?
“If possible, try and bring any chewed remnants or packaging,” says Greenstein. “This can be invaluable to your vet to help them figure out what exactly was eaten and to help them potentially calculate a toxic dose.”
Preventing Pets From Eating Things They Shouldn’t
To reduce the risk of your pet eating something they shouldn’t, Greenstein says every dog or cat parent should remember the following best practices:
- Supervise! Supervising nosey pets who have an affinity for eating toys or getting into garbage cans can prevent accidents. Greenstein says crate training is one of the best ways to keep your dog safe when you’re not at home.
- Keep dangerous or tempting items out of reach. Pet-proof your kitchen cabinets, garbage can, compost bin, and other places your curious pet might want to get into. Shutting certain doors of the house to limit access can also minimize risk.
- Declutter. Small actions like putting away children’s toys or keeping unsafe food off of the counters while cooking will prevent your canine from swiping something hazardous.
- Be mindful of toxic houseplants. Dog owners can move dangerous items out of reach, but cats like to explore the high ground and will get into places they shouldn’t. Be aware of this, and ideally, keep poisonous plants out of the house altogether.
- Know your pet’s personality and habits. Greenstein says that if your dog is a power chewer, avoid small plush squeaker toys that won’t stay intact. Erring on the side of caution will keep your pet from destroying and swallowing their toys.
- Keep a pet first aid kit. In case of emergency, consider putting together a kit for your pet that includes vet information, your pet’s medical history, and other important contacts (like the ASPCA Poison Control helpline) that can help you, or your pet sitter, be prepared at a moment’s notice.
Additional Resources
General Safety and First Aid
Chemical and Cleaner Safety
- The 25 Most Dangerous Household Items for Dogs
- How to Know if Household Cleaning Products Are Pet Safe
- A Guide to Being a More Eco-Friendly Pet Parent
- How to Puppy-Proof Your House Like a Pro
Poisonous Plant and Food Safety
- Poisonous Plants to Dogs and Cats
- What to Know About Toxic Algae
- How to Help Your Dog During Foxtail Season & Keep Them Safe
- Are Dog Chews Safe? Vets Weigh in on Bully Sticks, Bones, and Rawhide
- Is It Safe if My Cat Ate a Bug, or 10?
- Is It Safe If My Dog Ate a Bug, or 10?
- 17 Surprisingly Dangerous Foods for Dogs
- 5 Surprisingly Dangerous Foods for Cats
Toy Safety
Holiday Safety
- Rover’s Holiday Food Safety Guide for Pets
- 11 Holiday Plants, Decorations, and Foods to Keep Away from Your Cat
- Rover’s Guide to the Holidays
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