My dog just ate something — what should I do?
Step 1 — Remove what's left
Before anything else: stop your dog from eating any more of it. Move the food (or food wrapper, plant, etc.) out of reach. If there's a bag or packet, save it — the vet will want to see the ingredient list.
Step 2 — Work out what was eaten
Get these three things clear in your head before you pick up the phone:
- What? The exact food, brand, or ingredient. Take a photo of the packaging if you can.
- How much? Your best estimate — count pieces if possible, or weigh what's left and compare to what was there.
- When? Approximate time of ingestion. This affects what treatment options are still possible.
Also have ready: your dog's weight, age, any health conditions, and any medications they're on.
Step 3 — Look up what you know
While you're grabbing the packaging or working out the amount, use this list. Click the food your dog ate for the specific action plan:
The most common emergencies
Not in the list? Search the full directory or see all toxic foods.
Step 4 — Call your vet (don't wait)
Who to call, in order
- Your own vet first, during opening hours. They know your dog and can see them urgently if needed.
- If your vet is closed, call the Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 — a dedicated 24/7 UK pet poison helpline. Fees apply (£35 as of 2026) but they can give you specific advice and liaise with a local emergency vet.
- If your dog is showing severe symptoms (seizures, collapse, difficulty breathing, can't stand), go straight to the nearest 24-hour emergency vet — call while you're on the way.
What NOT to do
These are the common mistakes that make things worse. Please don't:
Common mistakes to avoid
- Don't induce vomiting at home unless your vet specifically tells you to. It's the wrong choice for many toxins (caustic substances, sharp objects), and flat-faced breeds (pugs, bulldogs, French bulldogs) have a high risk of aspiration pneumonia if made to vomit.
- Don't give milk, bread, or salt water as "neutralising" remedies. None of them work and some (especially salt water) are genuinely dangerous.
- Don't wait to see if symptoms appear. Many poisons have delayed onset — grapes can cause kidney failure 24–72 hours later, onions can take days, xylitol can crash blood sugar in 15–30 minutes. "Acting fine" doesn't mean "is fine."
- Don't google your way to a decision. Use this site as a reference, but decisions about treatment should come from a vet — not a forum post.
- Don't feel embarrassed about calling. Vets would rather field a no-problem call than see a preventable emergency.
When to go straight to the vet (no phone call)
If your dog is showing any of these signs, skip the phone call and go directly to the nearest emergency vet — call while you're on the way:
- Seizures or twitching uncontrollably
- Collapsed or unable to stand
- Serious difficulty breathing
- Repeated vomiting (especially with blood)
- Visible blood in urine or stools
- Swollen, hard, or painful abdomen
- Very pale or blue-tinged gums
- Severe disorientation or unresponsive
Emergency vet bills can exceed £5,000
Pet insurance typically covers 80–90% of emergency vet costs. Compare UK providers in 60 seconds.
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Consider saving the Animal PoisonLine number — 01202 509000 — to your phone now, before you need it. In the stress of an emergency, knowing who to call without searching saves minutes that matter.
After the emergency
If your dog pulls through a food-related emergency, two follow-ups worth doing:
- Dog-proof the source. If your dog got into the bin, buy a secure-lid bin. If they counter-surfed, baby gates or training. If they found something on a walk, invest in recall training. The best emergency is the one that doesn't happen twice.
- Review your household. Most owners are surprised how many everyday items are toxic to dogs. A quick audit of the kitchen, garage, and garden can prevent a second emergency. Our toxic foods list is a good starting point.