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Emergency Information
18 poisoning guides

Pet Poisoning Guide
What to Do and What It Costs

Urgent guidance for 18 common poisoning emergencies in dogs and cats. Symptoms to watch for, what to do right now, what the vet will do, and how much treatment costs.

Dog Poisoning Cat Poisoning Dogs & Cats

If your pet has been poisoned, act now.

Call your vet immediately. If it is outside surgery hours, call your nearest emergency vet. You can also contact the Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 (24/7, run by the Veterinary Poisons Information Service).

01202 509000

Dog Poisoning

Common toxic substances for dogs with treatment costs

Chocolate Poisoning

Severe
Dogs
£200–£1,500 treatment
Onset: 2-12 hours
6 symptoms
Read guide

Grape & Raisin Poisoning

Critical
Dogs
£500–£3,000 treatment
Onset: 6-24 hours
7 symptoms
Read guide

Xylitol (Sweetener) Poisoning

Critical
Dogs
£500–£2,500 treatment
Onset: 10-60 minutes
6 symptoms
Read guide

Rat Poison (Rodenticide) Poisoning

Severe
Dogs
£300–£2,000 treatment
Onset: 2-5 days (symptoms delayed)
7 symptoms
Read guide

Ibuprofen & Human Painkiller Poisoning

Severe
Dogs
£400–£2,000 treatment
Onset: 1-6 hours
7 symptoms
Read guide

Slug Pellet (Metaldehyde) Poisoning

Critical
Dogs
£500–£3,000 treatment
Onset: 30 minutes to 3 hours
7 symptoms
Read guide

Antifreeze (Ethylene Glycol) Poisoning

Critical
Dogs
£1,000–£5,000 treatment
Onset: 30 minutes to 12 hours
8 symptoms
Read guide

Onion & Garlic Poisoning

Moderate
Dogs
£300–£1,500 treatment
Onset: 1-5 days (damage is cumulative)
7 symptoms
Read guide

Cannabis/THC Ingestion

Mild
Dogs
£200–£800 treatment
Onset: 30-90 minutes
7 symptoms
Read guide

Lily Poisoning Warning for Dog Owners

Moderate
Dogs (and cats)
£200–£800 treatment
Onset: 6-12 hours
5 symptoms
Read guide

Cat Poisoning

Common toxic substances for cats with treatment costs

Lily Poisoning

Critical
Cats
£1,000–£5,000 treatment
Onset: 6-12 hours
7 symptoms
Read guide

Paracetamol Poisoning

Critical
Cats
£500–£3,000 treatment
Onset: 1-4 hours
8 symptoms
Read guide

Essential Oil Toxicity

Moderate
Cats
£300–£2,000 treatment
Onset: 2-8 hours
8 symptoms
Read guide

Antifreeze (Ethylene Glycol) Poisoning

Critical
Cats
£1,000–£5,000 treatment
Onset: 30 minutes to 12 hours
8 symptoms
Read guide

Permethrin (Dog Flea Treatment) Poisoning

Critical
Cats
£500–£3,000 treatment
Onset: 1-6 hours
8 symptoms
Read guide

Dogs & Cats

Toxic substances that affect both dogs and cats

Household Plant Poisoning

Moderate
Dogs and Cats
£200–£1,000 treatment
Onset: 30 minutes to 24 hours (varies by plant)
6 symptoms
Read guide

Cleaning Product Ingestion

Moderate
Dogs and Cats
£300–£2,000 treatment
Onset: Immediate to 2 hours
8 symptoms
Read guide

Human Medication Ingestion

Severe
Dogs and Cats
£200–£3,000 treatment
Onset: 30 minutes to 6 hours (varies by drug)
9 symptoms
Read guide
Specialist help

Animal PoisonLine & VPIS

The UK has a dedicated service for pet poisoning emergencies.

Animal PoisonLine: 01202 509000

Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. There is a charge per call (currently around £45-£65 for pet owners). They provide expert, case-specific advice on what to do next.

Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS)

The VPIS provides 24/7 specialist toxicology advice to veterinary professionals. Your vet can contact VPIS directly for detailed treatment protocols. It is the UK's leading authority on animal poisoning.

Your First Call Should Be to Your Vet

In most poisoning emergencies, your own vet (or emergency vet) should be your first call. They can begin treatment immediately and contact VPIS themselves for specialist guidance on your pet's specific case.

Don't Let Poisoning Cost Thousands

Emergency poisoning treatment can cost £200 to £5,000+ depending on the substance. Pet insurance covers emergency treatment — including out-of-hours care, hospitalisation, and intensive care. Compare providers to find the right cover.

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