March is Pet Poison Prevention Month, a time to highlight the everyday substances that can pose serious health risks to pets and to reinforce the importance of recognising toxic exposures early.
Pets share our homes, our routines, and our spaces—which means they are often exposed to the same everyday items we use without a second thought. Unfortunately, many of those items can become dangerous when curious pets gain access.
At Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital (BBVSH) Surrey, our 24/7 Emergency and Critical Care teams treat poisoning and toxic exposures year-round. As a VECCS Level I Certified Facility and a Level II VetCOT Trauma Centre, we are equipped to manage even the most critical, life-threatening emergencies, including complex poisoning cases that require rapid intervention, advanced monitoring, and specialty care. If you suspect your pet has ingested any toxic substance, bring them directly to our hospital.
Some toxic exposures cause sudden and severe symptoms. Others are quieter, with clinical signs that may not appear for hours or even days. In all cases, time is critical—early recognition and prompt veterinary care can significantly affect outcome.
Everyday Sources of Toxic Exposure in Pets
Toxic Plants and Seasonal Hazards to Avoid if You Have Pets
Certain plants pose a significant and often underappreciated risk to pets. Easter lilies are among the most dangerous—all parts of the plant, including flowers, leaves, stems, pollen, and even vase water, are highly toxic to cats.
General signs of plant toxicity may include:
- Vomiting or diarrhoea
- Drooling or oral irritation
- Lethargy, hiding, or depression
- Decreased appetite or thirst
- Tremors or weakness
- Increased or decreased urination, particularly with kidney involvement
If untreated, poisoning from Easter lilies can lead to severe kidney failure and death within 72 hours. Seek emergency veterinary care immediately.
Other commonly encountered toxic plants include:
- Tulips and daffodils (bulbs are especially toxic)
- Azaleas and rhododendrons
- Sago palm
- Oleander
- Dieffenbachia (dumb cane)
Springtime also increases exposure to fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides, and slug bait, which may cause gastrointestinal, neurologic, or systemic illness depending on the product and dose.
Human Foods That Are Unsafe for Pets
Many foods that are safe for people can be harmful—or even fatal—to pets.
Common problem foods include:
- Chocolate
- Grapes and raisins
- Macadamia nuts
- Onions and garlic
- Alcohol
- Certain cheeses, particularly blue cheeses that may contain tremorgenic moulds
Exposure to these foods may result in vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, lethargy or restlessness, tremors, seizures, weakness, abnormal heart rhythms, anaemia, or kidney failure, depending on the substance and amount consumed.
Xylitol, a sugar substitute found in sugar-free gum, candies, baked goods, and some peanut butter brands, can cause a rapid insulin release in dogs, leading to profound hypoglycaemia, seizures, and potentially severe acute liver failure. For more detailed information, please see our blog on xylitol toxicity.
Medications: A Frequent Cause of Pet Poisoning
Both over-the-counter and prescription medications are among the most common causes of poisoning in pets.
Pain relievers such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and acetaminophen can cause gastrointestinal ulceration, kidney failure, and liver injury. Acetaminophen is particularly dangerous for cats, even in very small amounts.
Prescription medications—including antidepressants, heart medications, blood pressure drugs, and ADHD medications—can result in significant neurologic, cardiovascular, and systemic effects.
Clinical signs may include vomiting or diarrhoea, lethargy or agitation, tremors or seizures, gastrointestinal bleeding, abnormal heart rhythms, organ failure, collapse, or coma. Because many medications are highly concentrated, even a single tablet can pose a serious risk depending on the pet’s size and species.
Recreational and Illicit Drug Exposure in Pets
Recreational and illicit drugs are a recognised source of exposure in companion animals. Substances reported include marijuana, amphetamines, cocaine, opioids (including fentanyl), and hallucinogenic mushrooms.
Many cases involve pets ingesting marijuana-infused baked goods, which may also contain additional toxic ingredients such as chocolate, raisins, or xylitol, contributing to a poorer prognosis.
Common clinical signs include ataxia or incoordination, lethargy or depression, vomiting, urinary incontinence, increased sensitivity to sound or motion, head bobbing, tremors, dilated pupils, increased salivation, and abnormal heart rates.
These substances can pose risks not only to pets, but also to those treating them. We invite pet owners to read our blog detailing Dr. Sheila Hoe’s experience treating a dog exposed to fentanyl, which highlights how potent and dangerous these drugs can be, both to humans and pets.
Household Chemicals and Automotive Products That Are Toxic to Pets
Household chemicals remain a significant source of accidental poisoning.
Ethylene glycol, found in antifreeze and some de-icing products, is especially dangerous due to its sweet taste and rapid progression to kidney failure. Early signs may include lethargy, vomiting, incoordination, and increased thirst and urination. Without treatment, exposure is frequently fatal.
Other hazardous products include rodenticides, insecticides, household cleaners, disinfectants, paints, solvents, and adhesives. Rodenticides in particular can cause severe bleeding disorders or neurologic signs depending on the formulation. For more information, please see our rodenticide toxicity blog.
When You Suspect Your Pet Has Been Poisoned
If you believe your pet may have been exposed to a toxic substance:
- Seek veterinary care immediately
- Do not induce vomiting unless directed by a veterinary professional
- Bring any product packaging or information with you if available
BBVSH Surrey is open 24/7/365 for emergencies and is fully equipped to manage poisoning cases, including those requiring intensive care, advanced diagnostics, and specialty intervention. No appointment is required for emergency visits.
Pet poison helplines are also available for immediate guidance:
- Pet Poison Helpline: 1-855-764-7661
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: 1-888-426-4435
Recognising Risk, Protecting Pets From Poisoning
Potential poisons and toxins exist in many everyday environments, often closer than we realise. While not every exposure can be prevented, understanding common risks and recognising early signs of toxicity can help reduce the likelihood of serious illness.
At BBVSH Surrey, we are proud to support pets and families throughout our community by providing advanced emergency and specialty care whenever it’s needed—day or night, all year long.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Poisoning
What is pet poisoning?
Pet poisoning occurs when a pet ingests, inhales, or comes into contact with a toxic substance, such as certain foods, plants, medications, chemicals, or drugs.
What are common sources of pet poisoning in the home?
Common sources include human foods, sweeteners like xylitol, medications, toxic plants, household cleaners, rodenticides, antifreeze, pesticides, fertilisers, and recreational or illicit drugs.
What plants are toxic to pets?
Toxic plants commonly found in homes and gardens include Easter lilies, tulips, daffodils, azaleas, rhododendrons, sago palm, oleander, and dieffenbachia.
Why are Easter lilies dangerous for cats?
All parts of the Easter lily plant—including pollen and vase water—are highly toxic to cats. If untreated, ingestion can lead to severe kidney failure and death within 72 hours.
What are signs of plant poisoning in pets?
Signs may include vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, lethargy, hiding behaviour, decreased appetite or thirst, tremors, weakness, and changes in urination.
What human foods are toxic to pets?
Foods that may be toxic to pets include chocolate, grapes and raisins, macadamia nuts, onions and garlic, alcohol, certain cheeses (especially blue cheeses), and products containing xylitol.
What symptoms can toxic foods cause in pets?
Symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, lethargy, restlessness, tremors, seizures, weakness, abnormal heart rhythms, anaemia, or kidney failure, depending on the food and amount consumed.
Why is xylitol dangerous for dogs?
Xylitol can cause a rapid release of insulin in dogs, leading to dangerously low blood sugar, seizures, and potentially severe acute liver failure.
What medications are dangerous for pets?
Over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and acetaminophen, as well as prescription medications like antidepressants, heart medications, blood pressure drugs, and ADHD medications, can cause serious illness or death in pets.
What are signs of medication poisoning in pets?
Signs may include vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, agitation, tremors, seizures, gastrointestinal bleeding, abnormal heart rhythms, organ failure, collapse, or coma.
Can pets be exposed to recreational or illicit drugs?
Yes. Pets may be exposed to substances such as marijuana, amphetamines, cocaine, opioids (including fentanyl), and hallucinogenic mushrooms, often through ingestion of edible products.
What are signs of drug exposure in pets?
Common signs include incoordination, lethargy, vomiting, urinary incontinence, tremors, head bobbing, dilated pupils, increased salivation, and abnormal heart rates.
Why is antifreeze dangerous to pets?
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol, which has a sweet taste and can cause rapid kidney failure. Without immediate treatment, antifreeze poisoning is frequently fatal.
What should I do if I think my pet has been poisoned?
Seek veterinary care immediately. Do not induce vomiting unless directed by a veterinary professional, and bring any product packaging with you if possible.
Does BBVSH Surrey provide emergency care for pet poisoning?
Yes. BBVSH Surrey is open 24/7/365 and is fully equipped to manage poisoning emergencies, including critical and life-threatening cases.
Can pet poisoning be prevented?
While not all exposures can be prevented, awareness of common toxins, safe storage of hazardous items, and early recognition of symptoms can significantly reduce risk and improve outcomes.
