[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.wwrvh.com\/if-your-pet-eats-a-poisonous-substance-how-to-respond\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.wwrvh.com\/if-your-pet-eats-a-poisonous-substance-how-to-respond\/","headline":"If Your Pet Eats a Poisonous Substance: How to Respond","name":"If Your Pet Eats a Poisonous Substance: How to Respond","description":"If your pet ingests something they shouldn\u2019t, poisoning can occur. However, there are steps owners can take to respond if they suspect pet poisoning. Westwood Regional Veterinary Hospital and Pompton Lakes Animal Hospital provides routine and emergency medical care\u00a0for pets in Westwood and Pompton Lakes, New Jersey. Here, our team discusses the types of foods […]","datePublished":"2025-12-09","dateModified":"2025-12-17","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.wwrvh.com\/author\/wwrvh\/#Person","name":"wwrvh","url":"https:\/\/www.wwrvh.com\/author\/wwrvh\/","identifier":2,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/25d521bea98e4070937950c92cd06d2b99615947d3d29e3682593c48f0372431?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/25d521bea98e4070937950c92cd06d2b99615947d3d29e3682593c48f0372431?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"WESTWOOD REGIONAL VETERINARY HOSPITAL","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.wwrvh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Westwood_logo.png","url":"https:\/\/www.wwrvh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Westwood_logo.png","width":212,"height":44}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.wwrvh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/curious-dog-sniffing-food-on-counter.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.wwrvh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/curious-dog-sniffing-food-on-counter.jpg","height":1506,"width":1991},"url":"https:\/\/www.wwrvh.com\/if-your-pet-eats-a-poisonous-substance-how-to-respond\/","about":["Blog"],"wordCount":1011,"articleBody":"If your pet ingests something they shouldn\u2019t, poisoning can occur. However, there are steps owners can take to respond if they suspect pet poisoning. Westwood Regional Veterinary Hospital and Pompton Lakes Animal Hospital provides routine and emergency medical care\u00a0for pets in Westwood and Pompton Lakes, New Jersey. Here, our team discusses the types of foods and other items you should be aware of and what to do if your pet has ingested them.What Is Pet Poisoning?Pets\u2019 stomachs are sensitive, and their digestive systems are more likely to disagree with new foods or ingredients than humans\u2019 are. They can also succumb to poisoning if they eat something they shouldn\u2019t, such as a toxic food, a foreign object, or another dangerous substance. Poisoning in dogs and cats can occur when they have ingested certain items, including:Raw or undercooked meat, chicken, or fishRotten or moldy food itemsDead or decaying animalsFecal matterHuman medications or drugs, like THCTobacco productsFlowers or plants, like liliesCleaning productsToys or other foreign bodiesDogs, in particular, are well-known for eating table scraps and other items they aren\u2019t supposed to. These indiscriminate eating habits can make them more likely to get poisoned by eating something toxic. However, cats can also get into household plants and flowers, like lilies, which are highly toxic to them.What Are Some Pet Poisoning Symptoms to Look out for?Poisoning can lead to vomiting and diarrhea as the animal\u2019s body attempts to rid itself of what it doesn\u2019t agree with. These are sure signs that something is wrong with your pet\u2019s digestive system, so they shouldn\u2019t be ignored. However, animals often vomit once or twice to rid their bodies of whatever\u2019s causing the issue, so it may not be clear if it\u2019s poisoning right away.While the symptoms of poisoning in pets may vary based on the severity and what was ingested, some things you might notice aside from vomiting and diarrhea include:NauseaDizziness or lack of coordinationAccidental urinationExcessive salivation or droolingPanting (in dogs)HyperactivityAbdominal pain or crampingLethargyFeverLoss of appetiteCats may also experience inflammation of the eye, swollen lymph nodes, and even miscarriages or infertility. Severe cases in dogs can result in heart palpitations, seizures, and tremors. If left unaddressed, your pet could be in a life-threatening situation.What Should Pet Owners Do If They Suspect Pet Poisoning?If you recognize any of the above symptoms, prompt action should be taken just to be safe. The steps you can take include:Make sure to remove your pet from the source of the poisonCall your veterinary office or an emergency clinic right awayCollect any evidence of the poison or toxic substance, such as the container or packagingCall Animal Poison Control for any additional guidanceDo not induce vomiting unless instructed by a veterinarian or poison control expertYou may need to take your pet to the nearest emergency vet clinic, especially if they are displaying multiple symptoms or have ingested a large amount of a poisonous substance. Quick action can help save your pet\u2019s life.How Can Veterinarians Help?Once you\u2019ve brought your animal in to the veterinarian, the team will look them over, ask you questions about what they\u2019ve eaten, and review their medical history. They may ask to see the packaging or about how much the animal ingested. If they suspect poisoning, they\u2019ll order blood work, X-rays, and other tests to confirm their diagnosis.If poisoning is determined to be the problem, there are several treatment options they may pursue. An IV may be put in place to help prevent dehydration, as the animal\u2019s stomach may not be able to keep water down. If the animal appears to be in pain, medications may be offered to help relieve it, and anti-nausea medication may be prescribed to help prevent additional vomiting. If bacteria like E. coli are the root cause, veterinarians may consider treating them with antibiotics. If the animal has eaten a bone, corn cob, toy, or other foreign body, they may require emergency surgery\u00a0to prevent blockages in their digestive tracts.In most cases, your pet should fully recover with no major changes needed for their lifestyle. Mild cases where only a small amount of poison was ingested often clear up without issue. However, severe cases can result in a lengthy road to recovery or even a fatal outcome.What Should Pet Owners Remember?The best way to prevent poisoning is to make sure your pets are only eating the food they should. Because you can\u2019t be with them 24\/7, this means ensuring that potentially harmful items are safely stored away and garbage and compost are out of their reach. It also means pet parents should be careful with the foods they share with their pets. You may also need to avoid buying certain types of plants or flowers that are toxic to animals.Pet owners should also take note of unusual behaviors and not ignore signs of distress. While occasional vomiting may be normal for dogs or cats, it could also be a sign of a serious condition, such as pancreatitis. Therefore, it is wise to seek advice from your trusted veterinary team. Lastly, if your pet is currently recovering from food poisoning, you\u2019ll want to keep them away from children and other pets, as they still could expose them to traces of bacteria.Schedule an Appointment with Us TodayPet poisoning should always be taken seriously. Because it shares many similarities with other illnesses and health problems, pet owners should turn to an experienced team for help. At Westwood Regional Veterinary Hospital and Pompton Lakes Animal Hospital, we are dedicated to offering compassionate care and services.Located in Westwood\u00a0and Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, and serving the Tri-State area, we have innovative equipment at our disposal to help make quick, accurate diagnoses and formulate personalized treatment plans. Contact us\u00a0today to make an appointment."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"If Your Pet Eats a Poisonous Substance: How to Respond","item":"https:\/\/www.wwrvh.com\/if-your-pet-eats-a-poisonous-substance-how-to-respond\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]