Toxic foods & plants for pets
Paw Priority’s quick-reference guide to what’s dangerous for dogs and cats. If your pet has eaten something on this list, call us at (310) 776-5544 immediately — or go to the emergency vet after hours.
Not everything toxic is dramatic — some foods and houseplants that seem harmless can cause serious kidney, liver, or heart damage in pets. Below is a working list of the most common household toxins we see at Paw Priority. Severity varies with the pet’s weight, the amount consumed, and the species.
Toxic foods
Many everyday foods that are safe for humans are toxic to dogs and cats. Even small amounts of some can cause serious harm — call us if your pet gets into any of these.
Chocolate
Especially dark and baker’s chocolate. Causes vomiting, tremors, arrhythmia. Small dogs at highest risk.
Grapes & raisins
Unpredictable — even small amounts can cause acute kidney failure in dogs. Any ingestion warrants a call.
Xylitol
Sweetener in sugar-free gum, peanut butter, baked goods. Causes rapid blood sugar crash and liver failure in dogs.
Onions, garlic, leeks, chives
Damage red blood cells. Cumulative — small amounts over time still matter. Cats are more sensitive.
Bread dough & raw yeast
Ferments in the stomach producing alcohol AND expanding painfully. Double threat: alcohol toxicity plus GI distension or obstruction. Kittens and small dogs at highest risk.
Macadamia nuts
Weakness, vomiting, hyperthermia in dogs — usually within 12 hours of eating.
Alcohol & raw yeast dough
Depresses the nervous system. Raw dough ferments in the stomach and produces alcohol + expands painfully.
Caffeine
Coffee, tea, energy drinks. Similar effect to chocolate — restlessness, arrhythmia, tremors.
Avocado (pits/skin)
Persin in pit and skin. Pit is also a choking / obstruction hazard.
Toxic plants
Common houseplants and outdoor plants can cause anything from mild GI upset to organ failure. If your pet chews on a plant you are unsure about, bring us a photo or piece of it.
Lilies
All true lilies (Easter, tiger, daylily). Cats: any exposure = ER visit.
Sago palm
Every part is toxic; seeds are worst. Liver failure in dogs.
Oleander
Common LA landscape plant. Cardiac toxin. Even small amounts dangerous.
Wild mushrooms
Some species (Amanita, Galerina) are deadly — liver and kidney failure within hours. Treat any wild mushroom ingestion as an emergency.
Azalea & rhododendron
GI signs, weakness, cardiac issues.
Pothos, philodendron, dieffenbachia
Common houseplants. Oral irritation, drooling, GI upset.
Tulips & daffodils (bulbs)
Bulb is the most toxic part. GI upset, sometimes cardiac signs.
Autumn crocus & foxglove
Cardiac toxicity. Serious ingestions.
Aloe vera
Popular houseplant. Vomiting and diarrhea; lethargy.
Toxic medications
Human meds are one of the top pet ER calls. Keep purses, nightstands, and dropped pills out of reach. If your pet gets into any, bring the bottle so we know the exact dose.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Deadly to cats — red blood cell damage and liver failure. Also toxic to dogs at higher doses.
NSAIDs (Advil, Aleve)
Ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin. Kidney failure and stomach ulcers. Never give human pain meds to pets.
ADHD medications
Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse. Amphetamines cause dangerously high heart rate, hyperthermia, and seizures.
Antidepressants (SSRIs)
Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro, Effexor. Serotonin syndrome — tremors, agitation, high body temperature.
Blood pressure meds
ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers. Dangerously low blood pressure and heart rate.
Supplements & vitamins
Vitamin D (kidney failure), iron and prenatal vitamins (GI + liver damage). One bottle of prenatals can be lethal to a small dog.
Marijuana / cannabis
THC from edibles or plant matter. Incoordination, dribbling urine, sound sensitivity. Edibles are worst — often contain chocolate too.
Other recreational drugs
Opioids, cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA. Life-threatening cardiac and neurologic effects. We do not judge — just tell us what they got into.
Sleep aids & benzos
Ambien, Xanax, Valium, Klonopin. Profound sedation, ataxia, sometimes paradoxical excitement.
Toxic chemicals
Household chemicals and rat baits. Different active ingredients need different treatments — if your pet ate any, tell us the product name.
Anticoagulant rat baits
Brodifacoum, Bromadiolone, Warfarin, Diphacinone. Internal bleeding 3–5 days after ingestion. Vitamin K1 antidote works if caught early.
Antifreeze (ethylene glycol)
Tastes sweet, causes rapid kidney failure. A few licks is enough. Time-critical antidote needed within hours.
Non-anticoagulant rat baits
Bromethalin (brain swelling), Vit D3 (kidney failure), zinc phosphide (phosphine gas). No antidotes for most. Symptoms can be delayed 24–48 hours.
Slug & snail bait (metaldehyde)
Tremors, seizures, hyperthermia. Often deadly. Common in garden sheds.
Insecticides & permethrin
Cats are extremely sensitive to permethrin — dog flea products can be fatal for cats. Read labels carefully.
Cleaning products
Bleach, drain cleaners, detergent pods. Corrosive damage to mouth and esophagus.
What to do if your pet ate something
A quick 4-step guide when you think your pet got into something they shouldn’t have.
Don’t wait to see if they get sick
Some toxins have delayed symptoms — kidney damage from grapes or lilies may not show for a full day.
Don’t induce vomiting on your own
Caustic cleaners, sharp objects, and oily products are worse coming back up. Never use hydrogen peroxide — it can burn the esophagus. Call us first.
Call us immediately
Call (310) 776-5544 right away. If we’re closed, go to the emergency vet or call ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.
Bring the evidence
Bring the packaging, the plant, or a photo. It saves us time and helps us treat correctly.
When in doubt, call.
We’d rather hear from you and reassure you than have you wait and worry. Same-day urgent slots are held every day.