Toxic Substances

While not an exhaustive list, in this section we will cover the most common household toxins that your pet may get into

What do I do if my pet consumes a toxic substance?

Time is critical if your pet has ingested a toxin. Your first course of action should be to call a vet clinic. If it was ingested recently they can usually induce vomiting to get the majority of the toxin out of their system, however some cases will need further care such as intravenous fluid treatment, monitoring by vets or nurses, or symptomatic treatment for the pet’s reaction to the substance.

Common Toxins for Dogs.

Common household toxins for dogs include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Most pest control substances such as rat or snail bait

  • Chemical weed killer

  • Rawhide treats (while not inherently poisonous there is a chance of contamination or digestive distress)

  • Chocolate

  • Caffeine

  • Onion

  • Garlic

  • Avocado

  • Xylitol (an artificial sweetener often found in chewing gum, some peanut butters, sugar-free sweets and more)

  • Alcohol

  • Yeast (the stomach can act as an oven causing the yeast to develop/rise, which can produce gas leading to bloating and a twisted stomach, or alcohol poisoning as the fermentation produces ethanol)

  • Grapes, raisins or sultanas

  • Some mushrooms (more information here)

  • Some nuts (more information here)

  • Some cheeses (more information here)

  • Lactose (while not inherently poisonous most dogs are lactose intolerant and can get moderate to severe gastric upset)

  • Lilies and other plants (more information here)

Common Toxins for Cats.

Common household toxins for cats include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Most pest control substances such as rat or snail bait

  • Chemical weed killer

  • Chocolate

  • Caffeine

  • Onion

  • Garlic

  • Avocado

  • Raw eggs (can carry salmonella or e. coli bacteria)

  • Xylitol (an artificial sweetener often found in chewing gum, some peanut butters, sugar-free sweets and more)

  • Alcohol

  • Yeast (the stomach can act as an oven causing the yeast to develop/rise, which can produce gas leading to bloating and a twisted stomach, or alcohol poisoning as the fermentation produces ethanol)

  • Grapes, raisins or sultanas

  • Some mushrooms (more information here)

  • Some nuts (macadamias in particular)

  • Some cheeses (particularly “blue” cheeses)

  • Lactose (while not inherently poisonous most cats are lactose intolerant and can get moderate to severe gastric upset)

  • Lilies and other plants (more information here)