Is it poisonous to my pet?

Acorns

Can cause stomach upset and blockages, and kidney problems in larger amounts.

Call your vet or a poison line for advice today.

Alcohol

Pets are far more sensitive than people. Small amounts can be dangerous.

Call your vet now, even if your pet seems fine.

Antidepressants, ADHD and sleep medicines

Can cause agitation, tremors and seizures.

Call your vet now, even if your pet seems fine.

Antifreeze and screen wash

Tastes sweet and causes kidney failure. Treatment works best within a few hours, so do not wait for signs.

Signs to watch for: Wobbly, drunk-looking, vomiting, then kidney failure 1 to 3 days later

Call your vet now, even if your pet seems fine.

Avocado

Contains persin, which can be fatal to birds and rabbits. For dogs, the stone is a choking and blockage risk.

Call your vet now, even if your pet seems fine.

Azalea and rhododendron

Can cause vomiting, weakness and heart problems.

Signs to watch for: Drooling, vomiting, weakness, low blood pressure

Call your vet or a poison line for advice today.

Bleach and cleaning products

Can burn the mouth and stomach. Do not make your pet sick.

Call your vet or a poison line for advice today.

Blue-green algae

Toxic algae blooms in still water can kill dogs within hours. Keep dogs out of water with a green scum or warning signs.

Call your vet now, even if your pet seems fine.

Button and coin batteries

Can burn through the throat or gut within hours.

Call your vet now, even if your pet seems fine.

Caffeine

Causes a racing heart and agitation. Caffeine tablets and coffee grounds are the most concentrated.

Call your vet now, even if your pet seems fine.

Cannabis and THC edibles

Causes wobbliness and dribbling. Edibles may also contain chocolate or xylitol.

Call your vet or a poison line for advice today.

Carrots

Safe for dogs. Sugary for rabbits, so a small treat only.

Chocolate

Contains theobromine and caffeine. Dark and baking chocolate are the most dangerous, but any amount is worth a call.

Signs to watch for: Vomiting, diarrhoea, restlessness, fast heartbeat, tremors

Call your vet now, even if your pet seems fine.

Conkers

Cause vomiting and can block the gut.

Call your vet or a poison line for advice today.

Cooked bones

Not poisonous, but they splinter and can cause choking, tears and blockages.

Call your vet or a poison line for advice today.

Cyclamen

The root is the most toxic part.

Call your vet or a poison line for advice today.

Daffodils

Bulbs are the most toxic part. Can cause vomiting and, in larger amounts, heart problems.

Signs to watch for: Vomiting, drooling, tummy pain, and heart rhythm changes with large amounts

Call your vet or a poison line for advice today.

Essential oils and diffusers

Concentrated oils on the skin or fur are the biggest risk, especially tea tree oil for cats.

Signs to watch for: Drooling, wobbliness, breathing difficulty, skin irritation

Call your vet or a poison line for advice today.

Fat trimmings and fatty food

Can trigger pancreatitis in dogs, which can be serious.

Foxglove

Affects the heart.

Signs to watch for: Vomiting, slow or irregular heartbeat, weakness

Call your vet now, even if your pet seems fine.

Fruit stones and apple seeds

Stones are a choking and blockage risk, and the kernels contain compounds that release cyanide when chewed.

Call your vet or a poison line for advice today.

Grapes, raisins, sultanas and currants

Can cause kidney failure in dogs, and there is no known safe amount. Cooked and baked forms count too.

Signs to watch for: Vomiting, not eating, tiredness, drinking or weeing more or less than usual

Safer swap: Plain apple slices or blueberries for dogs

Call your vet now, even if your pet seems fine.

Hops

Can cause a dangerously high temperature in dogs.

Call your vet now, even if your pet seems fine.

Ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin

Cause stomach ulcers and kidney damage. One of the most common poisonings reported to UK poison lines.

Signs to watch for: Vomiting (sometimes with blood), black stools, not eating, kidney damage

Call your vet now, even if your pet seems fine.

Iceberg lettuce

Not poisonous, but watery and low in nutrients and can cause loose droppings. Darker leaves such as romaine are better.

Ivy

Usually causes drooling and stomach upset.

Call your vet or a poison line for advice today.

Lilies

Every part is dangerous to cats, including pollen and vase water, and can cause kidney failure. Peace lilies and calla lilies are less severe but still irritant.

Signs to watch for: Vomiting, drooling, hiding and not eating, then kidney failure within 1 to 3 days

Safer swap: Roses, sunflowers, orchids (Phalaenopsis) or gerbera

Call your vet now, even if your pet seems fine.

Macadamia nuts

Can cause weakness, wobbliness and a high temperature in dogs.

Call your vet or a poison line for advice today.

Milk and dairy

Many adult cats and dogs cannot digest lactose and get diarrhoea. Never give to rabbits.

Call your vet or a poison line for advice today.

Mistletoe and holly

Berries cause stomach upset. Mistletoe can affect the heart in larger amounts.

Call your vet or a poison line for advice today.

Mouldy food and compost

Mould toxins can cause tremors and seizures.

Call your vet now, even if your pet seems fine.

Nicotine

E-liquids and gum are the most concentrated sources.

Call your vet now, even if your pet seems fine.

Non-stick pan fumes, aerosols and candles

Fumes from overheated non-stick pans can kill pet birds within minutes. Keep birds away from the kitchen.

Signs to watch for: Sudden breathing difficulty, wobbliness, collapse in birds

Safer swap: Stainless steel or cast iron pans

Call your vet now, even if your pet seems fine.

Oleander

Affects the heart. All parts are toxic.

Call your vet now, even if your pet seems fine.

Onions, garlic, leeks and chives

Damage red blood cells. Cooked, raw and powdered forms are all a risk. Cats are especially sensitive.

Signs to watch for: Weakness, pale gums, fast breathing and red or brown urine, often days later

Call your vet now, even if your pet seems fine.

Paracetamol (acetaminophen)

Even one tablet can kill a cat. Never give human painkillers to pets.

Signs to watch for: Brown gums, swollen face or paws, breathing difficulty, especially in cats

Call your vet now, even if your pet seems fine.

Permethrin dog flea treatment

Some dog flea products contain permethrin, which causes tremors and seizures in cats. Only use products made for cats, and keep cats away from freshly treated dogs.

Signs to watch for: Twitching, tremors, seizures, drooling

Safer swap: A flea product made for cats

Call your vet now, even if your pet seems fine.

Plain cooked chicken

Plain, boneless and unseasoned is safe as a treat.

Poinsettia

Mild irritation of the mouth and stomach. Less dangerous than its reputation.

Potato and tomato plants

Leaves, stems and green or raw potatoes contain solanine.

Call your vet or a poison line for advice today.

Ragwort

Causes liver damage in rabbits, guinea pigs and horses, including when dried in hay.

Call your vet now, even if your pet seems fine.

Rat and mouse poison

Many cause internal bleeding days later. Pets can also be poisoned by eating a poisoned rodent.

Signs to watch for: Bleeding, bruising, pale gums or breathing difficulty, often 3 to 5 days later

Call your vet now, even if your pet seems fine.

Raw bread dough

Rises in the stomach and produces alcohol as it ferments.

Call your vet now, even if your pet seems fine.

Rhubarb leaves

The leaves contain oxalates.

Call your vet or a poison line for advice today.

Sago palm

Can cause liver failure. The seeds are the most toxic part.

Signs to watch for: Vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness, jaundice

Safer swap: Areca palm or Kentia palm

Call your vet now, even if your pet seems fine.

Salt, play dough and salt dough

Large amounts of salt cause dangerous changes in the blood. Homemade salt dough decorations are a common cause.

Call your vet now, even if your pet seems fine.

Slug pellets

Older metaldehyde pellets cause seizures. Bring the packet to the vet.

Signs to watch for: Tremors, twitching, seizures, high temperature

Safer swap: Wool pellets, copper tape or beer traps

Call your vet now, even if your pet seems fine.

Spider plant

Not toxic. Some cats love chewing it and may be sick afterwards.

Signs to watch for: Mild tummy upset at most

Tulip and hyacinth bulbs

Bulbs cause the most problems, usually vomiting and drooling.

Call your vet or a poison line for advice today.

Vitamin D and psoriasis creams

Can cause dangerously high calcium and kidney failure.

Call your vet now, even if your pet seems fine.

Weedkiller and fertiliser

Keep pets off treated areas until dry, as the label says. Bone meal fertilisers are tempting to dogs.

Call your vet or a poison line for advice today.

Xylitol (birch sugar)

Causes a sudden drop in blood sugar and liver damage in dogs. Check peanut butter and sugar-free products for xylitol or birch sugar.

Signs to watch for: Weakness, wobbliness, collapse and seizures, sometimes within 30 minutes

Safer swap: Peanut butter without xylitol

Call your vet now, even if your pet seems fine.

Yew

All parts except the red flesh of the berry are highly toxic, including clippings.

Signs to watch for: Trembling, breathing difficulty, collapse, sudden death

Call your vet now, even if your pet seems fine.