This is an emergencyMany poisons act within minutes to hours. Go to the nearest vet right away — do not wait for symptoms to get worse.
Common signs
- Drooling or foaming at the mouth, vomiting
- Trembling, twitching, seizures
- Very large or very small pupils, wobbling, collapse
- Bleeding from the gums or nose, blood in urine or stool (rat poison)
- Move the animal away from the sourceWear gloves. Take away any remaining bait, plant, food or chemical.
- Bring evidenceTake the packaging, a sample in a sealed bag, or a photo of the label. If the animal vomited, a photo helps too.
- Do not make it vomit yourselfSalt water, oil, milk or hydrogen peroxide can make things worse — and some poisons do more damage coming back up. Only a vet should decide.
- Go to the vet nowCall ahead and say "suspected poisoning" so they can prepare.
- Warn your neighbours and report itDeliberate poisoning of animals is cruelty. If you suspect someone is leaving poison, report it to us and to the local authorities, and warn people with pets nearby.
Common household poisons
Rat and snail bait, insecticides, antifreeze, human medicines, chocolate, grapes and raisins, onion and garlic, xylitol (sugar-free gum), lilies (deadly to cats), and cleaning products.