Top 10 Pet Poisons in the USTop 10 Pet Poisons in the US

Dogs and cats, as well as other pets, can get into just about anything. From chocolate to antifreeze, it’s a smorgasbord of tastes and smells that entice them.

Toxicology experts at the Pet Poison Helpline have come out with the annual Top 10 Pet Poisons List.  The list is based on actual caller data, either consumers or veterinarians inquiring about possible pet poisoning.

What consumers may not know is poisonous foods, plants, chemicals and the like are not all the same for dogs as they are for cats. For example, the holiday favorite plant, poinsettia, is a highly toxic plant to cats. For dogs, it is a much milder toxin.

"Although there are thousands of potential toxins, some items rise to the top of the list every year," said Dr. Renee Schmid, a senior veterinary toxicologist and director of Veterinary Medicine at Pet Poison Helpline. "Although this year's lists for dogs and cats is very similar to 2023, the order has changed slightly and the differences between dogs and cats continues to be significant."

Top 10 Pet Poisons for Dogs

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"One shift we saw from 2023 to 2024 was bromethalin (rodenticide) moved up the list two places from 4^th to 3^rd place," Dr. Schmid explained. "Carprofen also moved up one place from 10^th to 9^th. Carprofen calls are predominantly due to the wrong pet ingesting the medication or an overdose occurring, not from normal therapeutic use."

Top 10 Pet Poisons for Cats

While this is a Top 10 list, there are many other toxins to be aware of for cats, dogs, and other domestic pets.

Pet Poison Helpline is a 24-hour animal poison control service available across the US, Canada, and the Caribbean for pet owners and veterinary professionals who require assistance with treating a potentially poisoned pet.