Pet Toxin Lookup

Acetaminophen is extremely toxic to cats (one pill can kill) and dangerous to dogs, damaging blood cells and the liver. Call a vet at once.

ADHD stimulants like Adderall are severely toxic to cats and dogs — even one pill can cause seizures and a dangerous fever. Call a vet at once.

Alcohol is severely toxic to cats and dogs — even small amounts cause dangerous drops in blood sugar and body temperature. Call a vet immediately.

Aloe vera is mildly toxic to cats and dogs — the latex under the leaf skin causes vomiting and diarrhea. The clear gel inside is less irritating. Call a vet if vomiting persists.

Amaryllis is moderately toxic to cats and dogs — the bulb is most dangerous, causing vomiting, drooling, and abdominal pain. Popular at the holidays. Call a vet if a bulb is eaten.

Ant and roach bait stations are mildly toxic to cats and dogs — low concentrations usually cause only stomach upset. Call a vet if vomiting persists.

Antidepressants (SSRIs/SNRIs) are severely toxic to cats and dogs — they can cause serotonin syndrome with tremors, seizures, and fever. Call a vet.

Antifreeze (ethylene glycol) is severely toxic to cats and dogs. A drunken stage precedes irreversible kidney failure within hours — call a vet at once.

Aspirin is severely toxic to cats (they clear it very slowly) and moderately toxic to dogs. Overdoses cause ulcers and organ damage. Call a vet.

Autumn crocus is severely toxic to cats and dogs — all parts contain colchicine, which causes delayed vomiting, organ failure, and can be fatal. Call a vet immediately.

Avocado is mildly toxic to cats and dogs, mostly causing stomach upset; the pit is a choking and blockage risk. Birds and horses are far more sensitive.

Azaleas and rhododendrons are severely toxic to cats and dogs — all parts contain grayanotoxins that cause vomiting, weakness, a slow heart, and can be fatal. Call a vet.

Batteries are severely toxic to cats and dogs if punctured or swallowed. They cause corrosive burns and heavy-metal poisoning. Call a vet at once.

Birth control pills are mildly toxic to dogs and moderately so to cats. Large amounts of estrogen can suppress bone marrow. Call a vet for guidance.

Bleach (sodium hypochlorite) is moderately toxic to cats and dogs, causing mouth, throat, and lung irritation. Do not induce vomiting — call a vet.

Caffeine is severely toxic to cats and dogs — it overstimulates the heart and nervous system. Coffee grounds and energy drinks are common sources. Call a vet.

Chives and leeks are severely toxic to cats and moderately toxic to dogs — like onion and garlic, they destroy red blood cells. Cats are especially sensitive.

Chocolate is severely toxic to both cats and dogs because of theobromine. Dark and baking chocolate are most dangerous. Call a vet at once.

Cold and allergy meds with pseudoephedrine are severely toxic to cats and dogs — they act as stimulants and can cause seizures. Call a vet.

Cooked bones are severely toxic (dangerous) to dogs and moderately so to cats — they splinter and can puncture or block the gut. Call a vet if any are swallowed.

Cyclamen is moderately toxic to cats and dogs — the tuber (root) is most dangerous, causing vomiting and in large amounts seizures and heart issues. Call a vet.

Daffodils (narcissus) are moderately toxic to cats and dogs — the bulb is most dangerous, causing vomiting, drooling, and in larger amounts tremors and heart issues. Call a vet.

DEET (bug repellent) is moderately toxic to cats and dogs, causing staggering, vomiting, and seizures at higher exposures. Call a vet if ingested.

Dieffenbachia (dumb cane) is moderately toxic to cats and dogs — its sap causes intense mouth burning, swelling, and drooling. Call a vet if swelling or breathing trouble appears.

Energy drinks are severely toxic to cats and dogs — they pack caffeine, guarana, and sometimes xylitol. Even a small can is dangerous. Call a vet immediately.

English ivy is moderately toxic to cats and dogs — its leaves contain saponins that cause drooling, vomiting, and in larger amounts breathing trouble. Call a vet if a lot is eaten.

Essential oils (tea tree, citrus, eucalyptus, clove) are severely toxic to cats and risky for dogs. Cats lack the enzyme to clear them — an emergency.

Eucalyptus is severely toxic to cats and moderately toxic to dogs — the essential oils cause vomiting, lethargy, and in cats liver and nerve damage. The oil is most dangerous. Call a vet.

Fatty foods are moderately toxic to cats and dogs and can trigger painful pancreatitis. Fat trimmings, grease, and fried foods are common culprits.

Misused flea and tick meds are severely toxic to cats and moderately toxic to dogs — never use a dog product on a cat (permethrin risk). Call a vet.

Garlic is severely toxic to cats and dogs — more concentrated than onion, it destroys red blood cells. Cats are especially sensitive. Call a vet.

Glow jewelry (glow sticks) is mildly toxic to cats and dogs — the bitter liquid causes drooling. Wash it off and call a vet if symptoms persist.

Grapes and raisins are severely toxic to dogs and can cause kidney failure. Cats are also at risk. Call a vet immediately — do not wait for symptoms.

Holly is moderately toxic to cats and dogs — the berries and leaves cause vomiting and diarrhea, and the spiny leaves can injure the mouth. A holiday risk. Call a vet.

Hops are severely toxic to dogs — they trigger dangerous, rapid overheating (malignant hyperthermia). Brewing and spent hops are the risk. Call a vet immediately.

Ibuprofen is severely toxic to both cats and dogs, causing stomach ulcers and kidney failure. Cats are more sensitive. Call a vet immediately.

Jade plant is mildly toxic to cats and dogs — it causes vomiting, lethargy, and sometimes incoordination. Usually mild, but call a vet if symptoms persist or a lot is eaten.

Kalanchoe is moderately toxic to cats and dogs — it contains cardiac glycosides that cause vomiting and in large amounts dangerous heart-rhythm problems. Call a vet.

True lilies are severely toxic to cats — all parts, pollen, and vase water cause fatal kidney failure — and mildly toxic to dogs. A cat emergency: call a vet now.

Macadamia nuts are moderately toxic to dogs, causing weakness and tremors; they are mildly toxic to cats. Call a vet, especially with weakness.

Metaldehyde slug and snail bait is severely toxic to both cats and dogs, causing anxiety, tremors, and seizures within hours. Call a vet immediately.

Milk and dairy are mildly toxic (upsetting) to cats and dogs — most are lactose intolerant and develop diarrhea. Large fatty amounts can trigger pancreatitis.

Mistletoe is moderately toxic to cats and dogs — all parts (especially berries) cause vomiting, and in large amounts heart and breathing problems. A holiday risk. Call a vet.

Mothballs (naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene) are moderately toxic to cats and dogs; cats are more sensitive to naphthalene. Call a vet if eaten.

Naproxen is severely toxic to cats and dogs — it lingers in the body for days, causing stomach ulcers and kidney failure. Call a vet immediately.

Neonicotinoids (e.g. imidacloprid) are mildly toxic to cats and dogs — common in flea products, they mainly cause drooling or vomiting. Call a vet.

Nutmeg is moderately toxic to cats and dogs — large amounts cause disorientation, tremors, and a rapid heart rate. Call a vet, especially after baking amounts.

Oleander is severely toxic to cats and dogs — all parts (even dried leaves and vase water) contain cardiac glycosides that cause dangerous heart problems. Call a vet at once.

Onions are severely toxic to both cats and dogs — they destroy red blood cells and cause anemia. Cats are especially sensitive. Call a vet.

Organophosphates are severely toxic to both cats and dogs, causing nerve symptoms: drooling, tremors, pinpoint pupils, and seizures. Call a vet now.

Paint is mildly toxic to cats and dogs in latex form; oil-based paint and solvents are more serious. Call a vet, especially after oil paint or turpentine.

Permethrin is severely toxic to cats and only mildly toxic to dogs. Using a DOG flea product on a cat is a life-threatening emergency. Call a vet at once.

Philodendron is moderately toxic to cats and dogs — its calcium-oxalate crystals cause mouth burning, drooling, and vomiting. Call a vet if swelling or breathing trouble appears.

Plug-in air fresheners are risky for cats and dogs — vapors irritate airways, and the scented oil is toxic if licked. Cats are most sensitive. Call a vet.

Poinsettia is mildly toxic to cats and dogs — the milky sap causes vomiting and drooling, but serious poisoning is rare. Less dangerous than its reputation. Call a vet if vomiting persists.

Pothos (devil's ivy) is moderately toxic to cats and dogs — its calcium-oxalate crystals cause mouth burning, drooling, and vomiting. Call a vet if swelling or breathing trouble appears.

Potpourri is severely toxic to cats and moderately so to dogs — it packs concentrated essential oils and alcohol. Call a vet immediately if eaten.

Raw bread dough is severely toxic to cats and dogs — it rises in the stomach and produces alcohol. Call a vet immediately; do not wait for symptoms.

Raw eggs are mildly toxic (risky) to cats and dogs — mainly a Salmonella and biotin-deficiency risk with regular feeding. A one-off egg is low risk.

Rhubarb is moderately toxic to cats and dogs — the leaves contain soluble oxalates that can cause vomiting and kidney effects. Call a vet if leaves are eaten.

Rodent bait (anticoagulants) is severely toxic to cats and dogs. Bleeding can be delayed for days — call a vet immediately, do not wait for symptoms.

Rotenone is moderately toxic to cats and dogs — this plant-based insecticide can cause vomiting, drooling, and breathing trouble. Call a vet if ingested.

Sago palm is severely toxic to both cats and dogs — all parts (especially seeds) cause liver failure and death in up to half of cases. Call a vet at once.

Salt is severely toxic to cats and dogs in excess — it causes sodium ion poisoning with tremors and seizures. Playdough, deicing salt, and rock salt are common sources.

Silica gel packets are only mildly toxic to cats and dogs — mainly stomach upset. They can choke if swallowed whole. Call a vet if worried.

Sleep aids (Ambien, benzodiazepines) are moderately toxic to cats and dogs — they cause sedation or paradoxical excitement and stumbling. Call a vet.

Snail bait (metaldehyde) is severely toxic to cats and dogs, causing tremors and seizures within hours. Call a vet immediately — it moves fast.

Soy sauce is moderately toxic to cats and mildly toxic to dogs due to its very high sodium content. See symptoms and what to do.

Toilet bowl cleaner is severely toxic to cats and dogs — it is corrosive and burns the mouth and gut. Do not induce vomiting. Call a vet immediately.

Topical creams are severely toxic to cats and dogs — 5-fluorouracil is often fatal to dogs even from a small lick. Call a vet immediately.

Tulips are moderately toxic to cats and dogs — the bulb is most dangerous, causing vomiting, drooling, and heart-rate changes. Call a vet if a bulb is eaten.

Vitamin A (retinol) is moderately toxic to cats and dogs — chronic excess harms bones and joints, and cats are especially prone. Call a vet for guidance.

Vitamin D (cholecalciferol) is severely toxic to cats and dogs — it raises calcium and damages the kidneys. It is also used in rodenticides. Call a vet.

Walnuts are moderately toxic to dogs, mainly when moldy — fallen black walnuts can cause tremors and seizures. Cats are mildly affected. Call a vet if moldy nuts are eaten.

Xylitol is severely toxic to dogs and can cause a sudden blood-sugar crash and liver failure. It is also risky for cats. Call a vet immediately.