Household hazards

Medicines and household products that poison pets

The things in cupboards, sheds and handbags that send pets to the vet most often — how dangerous each is for cats and for dogs, and what to do.

• ADHD medication Stimulant ADHD medicines are dangerous for pets: they cause hyperactivity, a racing heart, high temperature and seizures, sometimes within an… CatsHighly toxicDogsHighly toxic
• Antidepressants Human antidepressants can cause serotonin syndrome in pets: agitation, tremors, a racing heart and high temperature. Cats seem to like… CatsToxicDogsToxic
• Antifreeze Antifreeze tastes sweet and a few teaspoons can cause fatal kidney failure. It is an emergency even if your pet… CatsHighly toxicDogsHighly toxic
• Antihistamines Vets sometimes prescribe antihistamines for pets, but an overdose can cause agitation, a racing heart and seizures. Combination products with… CatsToxicDogsToxic
• Aspirin Aspirin can cause stomach ulcers and bleeding in dogs, and cats break it down so slowly that a normal human… CatsHighly toxicDogsToxic
• Birth control pills A dog that eats a pack of contraceptive pills usually has nothing worse than a mild stomach upset, because the… CatsMildly toxicDogsMildly toxic
• Bleach Diluted household bleach usually causes mouth and stomach irritation rather than serious poisoning. Concentrated products can burn the mouth and… CatsToxicDogsMildly toxic
• Blue-green algae Some blooms of blue-green algae in lakes, ponds and slow rivers produce toxins that can kill a dog within hours.… CatsHighly toxicDogsHighly toxic
• Button batteries A swallowed button battery can burn through the gullet or stomach within hours. Chewed ordinary batteries leak alkaline or acidic… CatsHighly toxicDogsHighly toxic
• Cannabis Cannabis poisoning is increasingly common, usually from edibles. Pets become wobbly and dribble urine; most recover with care, but edibles… CatsToxicDogsToxic
• Cocoa bean mulch Cocoa shell mulch smells like chocolate and contains the same toxins. Dogs that eat it can get chocolate poisoning —… CatsToxicDogsToxic
• Coins and zinc Some coins, including US pennies minted after 1982, contain a lot of zinc. In the stomach, acid releases it, destroying… CatsToxicDogsHighly toxic
• Cold and flu decongestants Decongestants act as stimulants in pets, causing agitation, a racing heart, high blood pressure and seizures. Many cold remedies also… CatsHighly toxicDogsHighly toxic
• Essential oils Concentrated essential oils can poison pets through the skin, by licking or when inhaled. Cats are especially vulnerable because they… CatsHighly toxicDogsToxic
• Expanding glue Polyurethane glues expand in the warm, moist stomach into a hard mass that can block the gut. A small amount… CatsToxicDogsHighly toxic
• Garden fertiliser Most fertilisers cause only a stomach upset. Those with bone meal or blood meal can cause pancreatitis or a blockage,… CatsMildly toxicDogsMildly toxic
• Glow sticks The liquid in glow sticks has a very bitter taste and low toxicity. Pets that bite into one usually drool… CatsMildly toxicDogsMildly toxic
• Hand warmers Single-use, air-activated hand warmers contain iron powder. A dog that chews one can get mouth irritation and, from larger amounts,… CatsToxicDogsToxic
• Homemade play dough Homemade play dough and salt-dough decorations are packed with salt. A dog that eats a ball of dough can develop… CatsToxicDogsHighly toxic
• Ibuprofen Ibuprofen is one of the most common pet poisonings. It causes stomach ulcers and kidney damage in dogs and cats,… CatsHighly toxicDogsHighly toxic
• Laundry detergent pods Biting a detergent pod releases concentrated soap under pressure. It causes drooling, vomiting and mouth irritation, and can cause breathing… CatsToxicDogsToxic
• Mothballs Mothballs are toxic to pets. Naphthalene balls damage red blood cells and the liver; paradichlorobenzene causes tremors and vomiting. Cats… CatsHighly toxicDogsToxic
• Mouldy food and compost Mouldy food from bins or compost heaps can contain toxins that cause severe tremors and seizures in dogs within an… CatsToxicDogsHighly toxic
• Naproxen Naproxen is far more dangerous to pets than to people. Dogs clear it very slowly, so a single tablet can… CatsHighly toxicDogsHighly toxic
• Nicotine Nicotine acts fast: vomiting, drooling and a racing heart can start within 15 minutes. E-liquid and patches are the most… CatsHighly toxicDogsHighly toxic
• Paracetamol Paracetamol is deadly to cats — part of one tablet can kill a cat by damaging its red blood cells.… CatsHighly toxicDogsToxic
• Permethrin flea treatments Permethrin is used in some dog flea and tick products and is highly toxic to cats. Putting a dog spot-on… CatsHighly toxicDogsMildly toxic
• Rat and mouse poison Most rat baits stop blood from clotting. Signs are delayed for several days, so treat any possible exposure as an… CatsHighly toxicDogsHighly toxic
• Rock salt and de-icers De-icing salts irritate paws and, if licked off or eaten, can cause vomiting and dangerous salt poisoning. Wipe paws after… CatsToxicDogsToxic
• Silica gel sachets Silica gel beads are considered non-toxic. A swallowed sachet may cause a mild stomach upset, and a small pet could… CatsMildly toxicDogsMildly toxic
• Sleeping pills Sleeping pills and anti-anxiety drugs can make pets very drowsy and wobbly — or, surprisingly often, agitated and hyperactive. Large… CatsToxicDogsToxic
• Slug pellets Metaldehyde slug pellets cause severe tremors and seizures within an hour or two. It is an emergency. Some pellets use… CatsHighly toxicDogsHighly toxic
• Tea tree oil Concentrated tea tree oil is toxic to cats and dogs, even when put on the skin. Cats are most sensitive.… CatsHighly toxicDogsToxic
• Toads Toads secrete toxins from glands in their skin. In the UK and much of Europe, licking a common toad usually… CatsToxicDogsHighly toxic
• Vitamin D supplements High-strength vitamin D supplements, some rat baits and psoriasis creams raise calcium to dangerous levels and cause kidney failure. Signs… CatsHighly toxicDogsHighly toxic
• Weed killer Most garden weed killers cause vomiting and drooling if pets lick wet product or drink from the bottle. Some products,… CatsToxicDogsToxic