Key data on pet poisoning incidents, toxic substance exposure, and veterinary emergencies in dogs and cats. Compiled from ASPCA, the U.S. FDA and the U.S. EPA.
Last updated: 30 September 2026 · Free to cite with attributionJournalists, bloggers & researchers: You are welcome to cite these statistics freely. Please attribute as shown below.
Source: PetTriage.online Pet Poison Statistics 2026 — https://pettriage.online/stats
Verified figures, each linked to where it comes from.
The categories ASPCA Animal Poison Control handled most in 2025, with each one's share of exposures.
| # | Category | Share of exposures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Over-the-counter medicines & supplements | 16.9% |
| 2 | Food & drink | 16.4% |
| 3 | Human prescription medicines | — |
| 4 | Chocolate | 13.6% |
| 5 | Veterinary products | 9.1% |
| 6 | Plants & fungi | 7.5% |
| 7 | Rodenticides (rat & mouse poison) | 6.5% |
| 8 | Household products | 6.4% |
| 9 | Insecticides | 3.8% |
| 10 | Recreational drugs | 1.9% |
Source: ASPCA, The Top 10 Toxins of 2025. The ASPCA article doesn't give a share for prescription medicines.
Some things are far more dangerous for one species than the other.
From our toxin database. Tap any one for what to do.
| Toxin | Signs usually start | Affects |
|---|---|---|
| 🐸 Cane Toad / Bufo Toad | 15 minutes | dog & cat |
| 🍬 Xylitol | 15–30 min (hypoglycemia); 12–72h (liver failure) | dog |
| 🎯 ADHD Medications | 20–30 minutes | dog & cat |
| 🧠 Antidepressants (SSRIs/TCAs) | 30–60 minutes | dog & cat |
| 🧴 5-Fluorouracil Cream (5-FU) | 30–60 minutes | dog & cat |
| 🐜 Permethrin (Dog Flea Treatment) | 30 min–3 hours | cat |
| 🍺 Alcohol / Ethanol | 30 minutes | dog & cat |
| 🚬 Nicotine / Vaping Liquid | 15–90 minutes | dog & cat |
| 💊 Ibuprofen / NSAIDs | 1–4 hours | dog & cat |
| 🌡️ Acetaminophen / Paracetamol | 1–4 hours | dog & cat |
| 🌴 Sago Palm | 15 min–3 hours | dog & cat |
| 🌸 Lily (True Lilies) | 0–12h (vomiting); 24–72h (kidney failure) | cat |
| 🍇 Grapes & Raisins | 6–24 hours | dog & cat |
| 🍫 Dark Chocolate | 6–12 hours | dog & cat |
| 🚗 Antifreeze / Ethylene Glycol | 30 min (Stage 1); 36–72h (fatal kidney failure) | dog & cat |
| 🐀 Rat Poison (Anticoagulant) | 3–5 days — deceptively delayed | dog & cat |
Every number on this page links to its source.
How to cite this page: These statistics are free to use with attribution. Suggested citation format:
PetTriage.online. "Pet Poison & Emergency Statistics 2026." Retrieved [Month Year] from https://pettriage.online/stats