Is it toxic?
Chocolate, grapes, lilies, medicines… Check what is dangerous for your pet.
56 results
Ethanol in alcoholic drinks, alcoholic desserts, hand sanitizer and raw yeast dough is absorbed quickly. It can cause loss of balance, a drop in blood sugar and slowed breathing.
According to US data, antidepressants are among the most common causes of accidental poisoning in pets. Antidepressants and medications containing amphetamine can affect the nervous system, the heart and body temperature; depending on the amount and the animal's health condition, signs ranging from mild to severe may be seen.
Antifreeze (ethylene glycol)
EmergencyEthylene glycol, found in many vehicle antifreezes, has a sweet taste, and even a very small amount can be fatal. Cats are more sensitive than dogs. In the first hours, the animal may appear drunk, followed by a brief improvement; after that, kidney failure may develop. For treatment to be effective, it must be started very early.
Autumn crocus (Colchicum)
EmergencyAll parts of the autumn crocus contain alkaloids such as colchicine and can cause severe poisoning even in small amounts. It can be confused with other crocus species; if you are not sure which species it is, treat it as poisonous.
Avocado
EmergencyThe persin in avocado is especially dangerous for birds and rabbits; it can cause heart damage and death. In cats and dogs, the fruit itself generally does not cause serious poisoning; however, a swallowed pit can cause an intestinal blockage.
Batteries and button batteries
EmergencyAlkaline or acidic material leaking from punctured or chewed batteries can cause burns in the mouth and digestive tract. Button and lithium batteries can also cause burns in the esophagus and intestines through electrical current. Wounds in the mouth may appear hours later.
Chocolate and cocoa
EmergencyTheobromine and caffeine (methylxanthines) in chocolate affect the heart and nervous system. Dark chocolate and cocoa powder are more dangerous; white chocolate carries the lowest risk. Some chocolate products may also contain raisins, macadamia nuts or xylitol.
Nicotine is a fast-acting poison with a narrow margin of safety. Cigarette butts, tobacco, e-cigarette liquid, and nicotine gum are the main sources. Some nicotine products may also contain xylitol, which is itself toxic to dogs.
Some flea and tick products made for dogs contain pyrethroids such as permethrin, and the concentration in these products is higher. Because cats have difficulty clearing these substances from their bodies, severe poisoning can occur when a dog product is applied to a cat. Signs may begin within minutes or may be delayed for up to 72 hours. Poisoning can also occur in a cat that licks a recently treated dog or has close contact with it.
Drain openers, oven cleaners, hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid), rust removers and some toilet bowl cleaners contain strong acids or bases. They can cause serious chemical burns in the mouth, esophagus, stomach, skin, eyes and airways; injuries may become apparent only later.
Even a few drops of concentrated essential oils such as tea tree oil can cause serious poisoning when applied to the skin or swallowed; liver failure has been reported in cats. Some liquid air fresheners (liquid potpourri) contain caustic substances, and cats are especially sensitive to them.
Decongestants such as pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine are found on their own or in flu and allergy medications. When taken in excess, they can constrict blood vessels, raising blood pressure to dangerous levels, and can stimulate the nervous system. These medications may also contain paracetamol.
When pans, pots, ovens, or heat lamps/bulbs with a non-stick coating (PTFE, Teflon) overheat, the gases they release cause serious damage to birds' lungs. Symptoms can progress very quickly; affected birds can sometimes be found dead without any signs having been noticed.
Grapes and raisins
EmergencyGrapes and raisins can cause sudden kidney damage in dogs. The harmful substance is thought to be tartaric acid; it is reported that the effect is not always related to the amount, so even a small amount matters. Information for cats is limited; do not give them to your cat either.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause stomach and intestinal ulcers, bleeding and kidney damage. Cats are more sensitive because they clear these drugs from the body slowly. Painkillers made for humans should not be given to animals unless a veterinarian recommends them.
Organophosphate insecticides affect the nervous system. Animals can be affected by licking the product, eating treated plants, or through contact of the product with the skin or eyes.
True lilies (Lilium) and daylilies (Hemerocallis) are extremely dangerous for cats. All parts of the plant, including the leaves, flowers, pollen and vase water, can cause kidney failure even in small amounts. Some plants that have "lily" in their name, such as the peace lily and the calla lily, do not belong to this group and do not cause kidney failure; however, this does not mean they are safe. Lily of the valley (also called pearl flower) is a separate and dangerous plant that affects the heart.
Lily of the valley contains substances that affect the heart (cardenolides). Eating it can cause signs ranging from vomiting and loss of appetite to heart rhythm disturbances, weakness, and seizures; the effect depends on the amount eaten and the size of the animal.
Moldy food and garbage
EmergencyTremor-causing fungal toxins (mycotoxins) can form in moldy bread, pasta, cheese and nuts, and in compost. The trash can and the compost pile are the main sources.
Mouse and rat poisons
EmergencyRodent poisons contain different active ingredients: those that impair blood clotting, vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), bromethalin, and zinc/aluminum phosphide. Each affects a different organ and requires different treatment; the active ingredient cannot be determined from the product's color or shape. With types that impair clotting, signs of bleeding may start a few days later.
Naphthalene (mothballs)
EmergencyOld-style naphthalene mothballs are the most toxic; newer types of mothballs are less toxic but can still cause illness. Dogs are more prone to swallowing them, while cats are more sensitive to their effects. The chemical can also be absorbed by inhalation or through the skin.
Oleander
EmergencyAll parts of the oleander, including the leaves, flowers and stems, contain oleandrin (a cardiac glycoside), which affects the heart. It can cause dangerous disturbances in heart rhythm; signs may be delayed and may begin first with digestive signs such as vomiting. It is widely used as an ornamental plant in gardens and along roadsides.
Paracetamol (acetaminophen)
EmergencyParacetamol is very dangerous for cats; even small amounts relative to body weight can cause poisoning, and signs usually begin within a few hours. In cats, the blood's ability to carry oxygen is impaired; in dogs, liver damage is more commonly seen. Some cold medications also contain paracetamol.
Some creams used to treat psoriasis (sedef) contain calcipotriol, a vitamin D derivative. Even a single lick or chewing on the tube can raise blood calcium levels to dangerous levels and may lead to kidney failure.
Raw yeast dough
EmergencyUncooked yeast dough keeps rising in the warm environment of the stomach and can cause the stomach to become severely distended; less commonly, gastric torsion (bloat with twisting of the stomach) can develop. Yeast also produces alcohol and can cause alcohol poisoning.
Sago palm (cycad)
EmergencyAll parts of the sago palm are poisonous; the seeds are the most dangerous. The cycasin they contain can cause severe vomiting, liver damage, low blood sugar and bleeding problems, even in small amounts.
Excessive salt intake disrupts the body's salt-water balance. Homemade play dough, ornaments made from salt dough, large amounts of seawater, and road salt are the main sources. In severe cases, the nervous system can be affected.
Snail and slug poison (metaldehyde)
EmergencyMetaldehyde in snail baits used in gardens quickly causes digestive and nervous system signs. If left untreated, tremors and seizures can raise body temperature to dangerous levels.
Long, thin objects like string are not toxic, but when swallowed, one end can get caught under the tongue or in the stomach. The intestine bunches up along the string, and the intestinal wall can tear. This is common in cats during play; if the thread has a needle attached, a puncture injury can also occur.
Wild mushrooms
EmergencyIt is very hard to tell whether mushrooms growing in gardens and parks are poisonous just by looking at them, so any wild mushroom that has been eaten should be treated as poisonous. Some species can cause liver or kidney failure, and symptoms may be delayed for up to 24 hours.
Xylitol is a sweetener found in sugar-free gum, candy, toothpaste, mouthwash, and some chewable vitamins. In dogs, it can dangerously lower blood sugar and cause liver damage. The drop in blood sugar can begin as early as 10–15 minutes after eating it.
Yew (Taxus)
EmergencyAll parts of the yew tree contain highly toxic compounds called taxines. Although the fleshy part of the red berry is not poisonous, the seed inside is highly toxic, so eating the berry is also dangerous. It can slow the heart rate and breathing.
The kernels, leaves, and stems of these fruits contain compounds that can release cyanide. Because cats and dogs usually swallow pits without chewing them, the main risk is often an intestinal blockage; however, a bitter apricot kernel with a cracked shell can cause serious poisoning.
Azalea and Rhododendron
SeriousAll parts of the azalea and rhododendron (Rhododendron) are poisonous. If eaten, they can cause digestive symptoms and heart and circulation problems.
Bleach and whiteners
SeriousBleach is a basic (alkaline) cleaning product. It can cause damage ranging from mild irritation to serious injuries in the mouth, esophagus, skin and eyes. The severity of the effect depends on the concentration of the product and the length of contact; injuries may become apparent late.
Cannabis and hemp products
SeriousThe psychoactive substance in cannabis (THC) can cause poisoning in pets. Eating it or inhaling its smoke can lead to nervous system signs. Cannabis edibles may also contain chocolate or xylitol.
Cats and dogs are more sensitive to caffeine than humans are. Licking coffee, tea or cola once or twice usually does not cause poisoning; however, coffee beans, unused ground coffee, tea bags, energy drinks or caffeine supplements can cause serious poisoning.
Cooked bones
SeriousBones are not poisonous, but bones and bone fragments can get lodged in the mouth, esophagus, stomach or intestines, causing injury or obstruction; in some cases surgery is required.
Corn cob
SeriousCorn cobs are not toxic; however, pieces of cob swallowed by dogs can get stuck in the intestines and cause a blockage.
Swallowing detergents causes drooling and vomiting; if the product enters the airway during vomiting, it can cause inflammation of the lungs (aspiration pneumonia). Products containing corrosive additives such as bleach can cause sores in the mouth, throat and stomach.
Fertilizers
SeriousA small amount of fertilizer usually causes mild stomach irritation; a large amount, however, can lead to severe poisoning due to iron and other chemicals. Bone meal and blood meal can clump together in the stomach and cause a blockage or inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Some fertilizers also contain added insect and weed killers.
Iron is essential for the body, but too much of it is toxic. Iron supplements, prenatal vitamins, chemical hand warmers, and the small oxygen absorber packets found in food packaging are the main sources.
Kalanchoe
SeriousKalanchoe contains compounds called bufadienolides, which can affect the heart. In most cases only vomiting and diarrhea are seen; however, if a large amount is eaten, the heart rhythm can be disrupted.
Macadamia nuts
SeriousMacadamia nuts can cause lethargy, tremors, and weakness in the hind legs in dogs. Symptoms usually begin within 12 hours. If the product is coated in chocolate, chocolate poisoning may also be a concern.
All parts of the narcissus contain alkaloid toxins; the highest amount is in the bulb. It can cause severe vomiting and resulting fluid loss.
Plants in the onion family (Allium) can irritate the digestive system and damage red blood cells, leading to anemia. Cats are more sensitive; Japanese dog breeds such as the Akita and Shiba Inu have also been reported to be more sensitive.
Tulips and hyacinths
SeriousAll parts of tulips and hyacinths can be harmful; the highest amount of toxin is in the bulbs. A small amount of leaf or flower usually causes mild nausea and vomiting, while eating the bulb can lead to longer-lasting digestive problems and lethargy. Large bulbs can also cause an intestinal blockage.
Aloe vera
CautionThe anthraquinone glycosides in the aloe vera plant have a laxative effect. If eaten, it can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Cyclamen
CautionCyclamen usually causes mild digestive signs. If a large amount is eaten, heart rhythm abnormalities and seizures can occur, although this is rare.
Dieffenbachia
CautionWhen dieffenbachia is chewed, the microscopic crystals in the plant irritate the mouth, lips, and throat. In most cases, symptoms are limited to the mouth; rarely, there may be swelling in the throat severe enough to make breathing difficult.
Geranium
CautionEssential oils in geraniums, such as linalool and geraniol, can cause digestive signs and skin irritation. Signs are usually mild and temporary.
Hydrangea
CautionHydrangea contains compounds (cyanogenic glycosides) that can release cyanide when chewed. Serious poisoning is less common in cats and dogs than in farm animals that eat large amounts; digestive signs are mostly what is seen.
Ivy (Hedera)
CautionThe compounds in the leaves and berries of ivy (pentacyclic triterpenoids) irritate the digestive system when eaten.
The saponins in the leaves and stems of the mother-in-law's tongue cause digestive signs when eaten. Dilated pupils and loss of balance have also been reported in cats.
Peace lily (Spathiphyllum)
CautionThe peace lily is not a true lily and does not cause kidney damage in cats. When chewed, the microscopic crystals inside irritate the mouth and throat; in rare cases, swelling of the throat can occur.
Poinsettia (Atatürk flower)
CautionThe milky white sap of the poinsettia irritates the mouth and stomach. It is considered mildly toxic to cats and dogs; symptoms usually go away on their own.