If you’re a seasoned pet parent, chances are you’ve experienced that sinking feeling when you realize your furry friend has swallowed something they shouldn’t have. Whether it’s a piece of chocolate, a sock, a toxic plant, or a mystery object found during a walk, pets, especially curious dogs and cats, seem to have a talent for getting into trouble. The important thing during times like this is to stay calm, act quickly, and know the right steps to take. Here’s what to do if your pet eats something they shouldn’t.
Stay Calm and Assess the Situation
Panicking doesn’t help anyone. Be sure to take a breath and quickly gather the information you know. These are key things you would want to know: what exactly did your pet eat? How much did they eat? How long ago did they eat this? Is what they ate toxic, sharp, or indigestible? If you witnessed the incident, this is ideal because you have the information you need. If not, it’s essential to look for wrappers, any missing household items, and signs such as vomiting, drooling, or pacing.
Check If the Item Is Toxic or Dangerous
Not all “forbidden snacks” are equally as dangerous or harmful. Familiarize yourself with common household dangers, such as toxic foods like chocolate, grapes/raisins, garlic, onions, xylitol, alcohol, and caffeine. Hazardous household items include things like medications, cleaning products, batteries, nicotine, and cannabis. Household plants like lilies, aloe vera, philodendrons, and pothos are toxic to pets. Lastly, foreign objects such as socks, string, toys, bones, plastic, and sewing needles can pose a danger to our curious pets. If you’re unsure whether the ingested item is dangerous, call your veterinarian or a poison hotline right away. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Call Your Veterinarian or a Pet Poison Hotline
As mentioned, if you’re unsure whether something is toxic, always call a professional. Even if your pet seems fine, toxicity can take hours to show symptoms and develop. Depending on the day and type of emergency, you can call your pet’s veterinarian, your local emergency animal hospital, or your Animal Poison Control hotline. Whoever you decide to call, be ready with the following information: what your pet ate, the approximate amount, and when it happened. They will also want to know your pet’s weight, age, their medical conditions, and what symptoms (if any) you are noticing. With this information, they’ll be able to advise you on the next steps, including whether your pet needs to be seen immediately.
Don’t Induce Vomiting Unless a Professional Tells You To
You may read online that inducing vomiting is the solution to help your pet; however, this can be extremely dangerous when done without guidance. Only induce vomiting with explicit veterinary instruction, as some substances cannot be vomited, such as sharp objects. Additionally, if your pet is feeling lethargic, unconscious, or breathing irregularly, making them vomit could be even more detrimental to their current state.
Monitor for Symptoms
If your vet says to monitor your pet at home, keep a close eye on your pet for the next 24–48 hours. Be sure to watch for: vomiting or diarrhea, drooling or pawing at the mouth, weakness or collapse, difficulty breathing, bloated abdomen, excessive thirst or urination, or irregular behavioral changes such as restlessness, hiding, or whining. If anything changes about your pet’s usual temperament and activity, or if your gut tells you something’s wrong, trust yourself and seek emergency care.
Prepare for a Vet Visit
If your veterinarian instructs you to come in and bring your pet, be sure to pack the following items: the packaging or remains of the item ingested, a sample of vomit or stool if relevant, and your pet’s medical history or medication list. This information will help your vet determine the best course of action based on the substance eaten. At the clinic, expect your vet to perform X-rays and bloodwork, or to induce vomiting safely. Early intervention is key and often prevents complications.
Prevention is Your Best Defence
Knowing what to do if your pet eats something they shouldn’t can be life-saving. Taking informed, quick action is essential for a responsible pet owner. Keep in mind that while accidents happen, making your home pet-safe goes a long way toward preventing them. Keep dangers hidden and out of reach of pets, and remember that supervising your pet and providing enrichment can also reduce the urge to eat inappropriate items and prevent attention-seeking behaviors. For your professional pet care needs, contact Luv My Sitter.
