“If dogs were smart, ER vets probably wouldn’t be nearly as busy.”
I remember thinking that one hectic night at the emergency clinic when my whiteboard was filled with cases of toxicity exposures and possible foreign object ingestions, all waiting for their turn.
Toxicities, GI obstructions, and sudden stomach upsets are some of the most common reasons dogs and cats land in the ER; and all of them can happen when a pet eats something they shouldn’t.
In this post, I’ll share exactly what to do if your pet eats something they shouldn’t, and how to act fast for the best possible outcome.
A quick note: This guide is mostly geared toward dogs since they make up about 90–95% of these cases in practice. Some advice can help with cats too, but not all. Always talk with your vet if you suspect your cat may have gotten into something risky.
Disclaimer: This post is for general information only and does not replace a veterinary-client-patient relationship (VCPR). Always contact your vet for specific advice or seek emergency care if needed.
Stay Calm and Gather Info
Uh oh… maybe you caught your dog red-pawed eating something they shouldn’t. Or maybe you just walked in to find a mess… torn trash, missing pills, shredded toys. First step? Take a deep breath and stay calm.
If your pet isn’t showing symptoms yet, put them in a quiet room for a few minutes while you figure out exactly what they got into. The more details you can gather, the better your vet can help.
Ask yourself:
- What did they eat? Look for product names, ingredient labels, or brand info.
- How much did they eat? Estimate as best as you can.
- When did they eat it? Even a window of time helps (for example, between noon and 2 PM).
More detail means better treatment and a stronger prognosis. For example, “My dog ate rat poison” isn’t enough: there are different types, and each one does different damage (some cause bleeding, some cause kidney failure, others trigger seizures).
If you know your pet ate something questionable, but they’re acting fine, keep notes and call your vet right away. If your pet is showing symptoms like choking, collapse, trouble breathing, pale gums, or is unresponsive, get to a vet immediately. Call on the way if you can.
One more thing: If your pet ate something illegal… be honest with your vet. We aren’t there to judge or report you. Full honesty can save your pet’s life.
Contact Your Vet and Poison Control
Your vet will likely ask you to come in right away and may ask you to call poison control during your visit or while you’re en route. Poison control specialists have massive databases of toxins and ingredients. Although they charge a small fee for their assistance, they help vets make the best treatment plan for your pet’s situation.
Side note: Clients often are hesitant to call pet poison control. After all, shouldn’t the vet know how to treat this? The information pet poison control gives is targeted, specific, and usually SAVES owners money. PLEASE cooperate with your vet and give them a call! It doesn’t reflect poorly on your ER vet- they’re experts in animals, not poisons.
Two trusted hotlines:
The only time you might skip poison control is if your pet swallowed a non-toxic object (like a toy or sock) that could cause an obstruction but isn’t poisonous. In these cases, your vet will advise you directly.
Common Pet Toxins and Risky Items
Some of the biggest troublemakers:
- Human foods: chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, alcohol, xylitol (in gum and peanut butter)
- Household items: medications (human and pet), cleaning products, rodenticides, antifreeze, illicit drugs
- Non-food objects: socks, toys, bones, string, baby pacifiers: yes, I’ve seen it all.
What Not to Do
- Don’t try to make them vomit at home without vet advice. Hydrogen peroxide has been used in the past but can do more harm than good if not used correctly.
- Don’t wait and hope for the best. It’s always safer (and cheaper) to treat early than to wait until symptoms get worse.
What to Expect at the Vet
Depending on what your pet ate, your vet may recommend:
- Inducing vomiting (only if it’s safe to bring it back up)
- Giving activated charcoal to absorb toxins
- X-rays or ultrasound to check for blockages
- IV fluids and hospitalization to flush out toxins or monitor organ function
- Surgery or endoscopy to remove a foreign object that won’t come up safely
The good news? Fast action often means a much better outcome and a much lower vet bill.
How to Prevent It Next Time
A few quick ways to prevent these scary moments:
- Pet-proof your home like you would for a toddler. Keep trash sealed, meds locked away, and food out of reach.
- Give your pet safe, sturdy toys that can’t be swallowed whole.
- Supervise play and watch for chew toys that break apart easily.
- Train a strong “leave it” or “drop it” command: it can save you hundreds of dollars in vet bills and maybe your pet’s life.
Tell Me Your Story
Has your pet ever eaten something wild? Drop your “My pet ate WHAT?!” story in the comments, I’d love to hear it.
If you found this helpful, follow along on Instagram and Facebook for more down-to-earth vet tips you can actually use.
Your pet’s health is worth it, and so is your peace of mind.
Discover more from Katie Hogan, DVM
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One of my dogs chewed up an entire room spray and luckily did not swallow any. My other one however had to have the top half of a Kong surgically removed.
Omg 😱 are they labs?! I tell people Kongs are the “safer” toys, but super chewers can ingest ANYTHING.