Pets and poisons - The Animal Welfare Foundation

Substances which can be poisonous
What to do if you think your pet has been poisoned
Preventing poisoning in the home
Preventing poisoning in the garden or outdoor spaces
Useful Information

Substances which can be poisonous

Common substances which can be poisonous and need urgent attention include:

Food such as chocolate, onions and raisins and sweeteners (xylitol)
Plants such as lilies, daffodils and ragwort
Chemicals such as slug pellets, rat baits and anti-freeze
Cannabis/CBD oils and e-cigarettes and the vape fluids

These are some of the less common substances which can be poisonous to our pets:

Antacid tablets (‘over the counter’)
Blu-tack® or other similar adhesives
Chalk
Charcoal
Coal (real or artificial)
Cotoneaster shrubs
Cut-flower/houseplant food
Expanded polystyrene
Folic acid – B vitamins
Fuchsia plant species
Holly (Ilex species)
Honeysuckle (Lonicera species)
Matches
Mistletoe berries (Viscum album)
Oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) tablets
Pyracantha species
Rowan tree berries (Sorbus aucuparia)
Silica gel
Sweeteners – Xylitol
Wax candles/crayons

If you are worried your pet has been exposed to a poisonous substance, please seek advice from your vet or Animal PoisonLine immediately.

What to do if you think your pet has been poisoned

Please do not panic, here are some simple first steps:

Remove your animal(s) from the source of poison — use protective clothing such as gloves if necessary
Contact your vet or the Animal PoisonLine for advice immediately, even if your pet looks and behaves normally
Be ready to provide information on what the poison is, when, where and how the poisoning occurred, as well as the quantity consumed
If instructed to go to the vet practice, if possible, take a sample of the poison or more importantly its packaging with you
If the fur is contaminated, if possible, shave it off quickly then wash the affected area thoroughly with plenty of WATER. Protect yourself whilst doing this by wearing gloves
DO NOT try to make your animal vomit unless you are instructed to do so by your vet
DO NOT rely on advice from the internet, contact your vet or vet nurse for the most reliable, up to date advice

Preventing poisoning in the home

Keep all medicines out of reach — preferably in a high, locked cupboard. Keep human and veterinary medicines separate and label them appropriately if necessary
Always read packaging instructions and follow directions carefully. Medicines intended for one species can be harmful to another. Always read the instructions carefully and be sure to ask your vet or vet nurse if you are unsure.
Never give animals medicines intended for human use. Only give medicines prescribed by your vet
Dispose of unwanted and out-of-date medicines safely — ideally return them to your veterinary practice or pharmacy
Some human food can be toxic to animals so ensure family, friends and children do not feed your pet harmful food
Some plants are very dangerous for pets – always keep houseplants and floral displays out of reach of pets
Always check any product’s packaging for warnings that they are toxic to animals
Clean up spills of any kind quickly – use gloves and protective clothing to stay safe

Preventing poisoning in the garden or outdoor spaces

Prevent access to gardens where pesticides, herbicides or fertilisers have recently been used
Keep pesticides and herbicides in a safe, inaccessible place away from all pets and children
Never leave buckets or containers full of mixed chemicals open and unattended
Do not allow animals to drink or bathe in ponds, puddles or other bodies of water that appear oily, discoloured or contaminated
Look up hazardous plant species and mushrooms; remove any from your garden that could be dangerous for your pets. Tips on how to make your garden more ‘pet friendly’, including which plants to avoid, can be found here
Keep dustbin lids firmly closed to prevent access, use a lock if necessary
Replace the tops of containers securely after use.
If using poison on pests, ensure it is inaccessible to pets and other wildlife.

Useful Information

All veterinary practices must provide emergency cover to clients and their pets, and they should be your first point of contact. However, some practices may use a different practice or work out of a different building to provide this service. If you are unsure about your own vets out of hours provision, please contact them and ask for their daytime/emergency vets contact details.

*TOP TIP* Keep these contact details handy in case of emergency. If a friend or family member looks after your pet at any time, make sure they have these contact details to hand, as well as the Animal PoisonLine number.

Contact information for the Animal PoisonLine

Animal PoisonLine, run by the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS), is a UK based 24-hour specialised emergency advice line for pet owners who are worried their pets may have been exposed to something harmful and would like advice on what to do next. Their specialists will advise if an immediate trip to the vets if required. There is a £30 fee for each case. More information can be found at https://www.animalpoisonline.co.uk/.

If you are worried your pet has been poisoned, please call your vet or the Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 immediately. Please note that the Animal PoisonLine is not a substitute for taking your pet to the vet, as they may need to go for treatment anyway.

Animal Welfare Foundation

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