Pet Toxin Lookup

5-fluorouracil cream is severely toxic to both cats and dogs — a single lick has killed dogs within hours. There is no antidote. Any exposure is a go-now emergency.

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.

Apoquel (oclacitinib) is an immunosuppressant for dog allergies — mildly toxic to dogs, moderately concerning for cats. Poison hotline reports of pet exposures are rising.

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.

Boric acid and borax are mildly toxic to both cats and dogs — a lick of roach powder causes drooling and stomach upset; large amounts can irritate the gut and nervous system.

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.

Plain caramel is not toxic to dogs or cats but the sugar and fat cause stomach upset and pancreatitis risk in quantity. The real dangers are add-ins: xylitol in sugar-free candy, chocolate, macadamias, raisins, and swallowed wrappers or apple sticks.

Castor bean seeds contain ricin, one of the deadliest plant toxins — severely toxic to both cats and dogs. Chewed seeds are a life-threatening emergency.

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.

Citrus is mildly toxic to both cats and dogs — the oils in peel, pith, and leaves cause drooling and stomach upset. A small piece of flesh is usually harmless.

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.

Corn on the cob is not toxic but severely dangerous to dogs — the cob is one of the most common causes of intestinal obstruction requiring surgery. Any eaten cob means a vet call.

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.

Lawn and garden fertilizers are moderately toxic to both cats and dogs — granules and treated grass cause vomiting and diarrhea, while blood/bone meal add obstruction and pancreatitis risk.

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.

Methomyl fly bait is severely toxic to both cats and dogs — a carbamate poison causing drooling, tremors, and breathing failure within an hour. Any ingestion is a race to the vet.

Foxglove is severely toxic to both cats and dogs — it contains digitalis, the same cardiac glycoside used in heart medicine. Any ingestion is an immediate emergency.

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.

GLP-1 medications (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro) are mildly toxic to both cats and dogs — mainly vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. Chewed injection pens add a foreign-body risk.

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.

Hydrangea is moderately toxic to both cats and dogs — leaves and flowers contain cyanogenic glycosides, usually causing vomiting and diarrhea. Serious cases are uncommon.

Gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene are moderately to severely toxic to both cats and dogs — the liquid burns on the way down and can be aspirated into the lungs. Never induce vomiting.

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

Ice melt and rock salt are mildly toxic to both cats and dogs — licking paws causes drooling and stomach upset, and untreated granules in quantity can raise salt levels dangerously.

Bug bombs are moderately toxic to dogs and severely toxic to cats — fogger residue groomed off fur causes tremors and seizures in cats. Pets must be out during and after fogging.

Iron supplements and prenatal vitamins are moderately toxic to both cats and dogs — overdoses burn the gut and can damage the liver. Gummy vitamins may also contain xylitol.

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.

Detergent pods are moderately toxic to both cats and dogs — the concentrated liquid burns the mouth and throat, and vomited detergent can be aspirated into the lungs.

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.

Lily of the valley is severely toxic to both cats and dogs — cardiac glycosides slow or disrupt the heart. Unlike true lilies, it harms the heart, not the kidneys.

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

Marijuana is moderately toxic to both cats and dogs — THC causes wobbliness, dribbling urine, and lethargy; edibles add chocolate or xylitol risk. Be honest with your vet.

Regular marshmallows are not toxic to dogs or cats, but the sugar causes stomach upset, sticky pieces are a choking hazard, and sugar-free versions containing xylitol are dangerous to both species.

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.

Monstera is moderately toxic to both cats and dogs — needle-like calcium oxalate crystals burn the mouth, causing drooling and vomiting. It is not usually life-threatening.

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

Muscle relaxants are severely toxic to both cats and dogs — baclofen in particular causes profound sedation, seizures, and death from a single tablet. Any ingestion is an emergency.

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.

Natural pyrethrins are mildly toxic to dogs but severely toxic to cats — cats cannot metabolize them, and tremors can progress to seizures. Any cat contact needs immediate bathing and a vet call.

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

Nicotine is severely toxic to both cats and dogs — vape liquid, gum, and patches are concentrated enough that one product can be fatal. Any ingestion is an immediate emergency.

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.

Peace lily is moderately toxic to both cats and dogs — oxalate crystals burn the mouth, unlike true lilies which cause cat kidney failure. It still warrants a vet call.

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.

Snake plant is mildly toxic to both cats and dogs — saponins in the leaves cause drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea in nibblers. Serious illness is unlikely; treat supportively.

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.

Stone fruit pits are moderately toxic to dogs — chewing releases cyanide compounds, and swallowed pits cause intestinal blockages. Cats rarely eat enough; risk is mild.

Thyroid medications are moderately toxic to both cats and dogs — levothyroxine overdose speeds up the heart and metabolism; methimazole overdose causes stomach and blood effects.

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.

Weed killers are mildly toxic to both cats and dogs once dry — wet granules or concentrates cause drooling and vomiting. Concentrate ingestion or paraquat exposure is a dire emergency.

Wild mushrooms are severely toxic to both cats and dogs — deadly species like the death cap look almost identical to harmless ones. Any backyard mushroom eaten is an emergency.

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.

Yew trees and hedges are severely toxic to both cats and dogs — taxine alkaloids can stop the heart, and death can occur suddenly without warning. Any chewing is an emergency.

ZZ plant is mildly to moderately toxic to both cats and dogs — calcium oxalate crystals cause mouth burning, drooling, and vomiting. Not usually life-threatening.