Emergency guide
My cat ate something — what do I do?
Act quickly but calmly. Here is exactly who to call and what to say.
Call your vet first — right now.
Don't wait for symptoms. Many poisons cause irreversible damage before signs appear. Have the following information ready when you call:
- What your cat ate (substance, brand name if known)
- How much (estimate — a lick, a bite, the whole thing)
- When it happened (even a rough time helps)
- Your cat's weight (your vet will use this to calculate dose)
- Whether your cat has any symptoms yet
UK emergency contacts
Your vet or out-of-hours vet — always call them first. They can advise on the phone and arrange treatment if needed.
Animal PoisonLine: 01202 509000 — 24/7 UK poison advice line for pet owners. Charges apply per call. Your vet can also call the VPIS (Veterinary Poisons Information Service) directly — a free professional service for vets.
PDSA PetAid hospitals — if you're registered with PDSA and need emergency care, call your local hospital.
What NOT to do
Do not induce vomiting unless your vet specifically tells you to — with some poisons (caustic substances, petroleum products) vomiting causes more damage on the way back up.
Do not give milk. The old idea that milk helps with poisoning is a myth and most adult cats are lactose intolerant anyway.
Do not wait for symptoms to appear. Many serious poisons — including paracetamol and lilies — look harmless at first and then cause catastrophic organ failure hours later.
Do not search the internet for hours. Use this site to identify the substance, then call a professional.
Look up what your cat ate
Use the links below to find the substance your cat ate and understand how serious the risk is while you wait to speak to your vet.
Cat ate chocolate? Work out whether the dose is toxic.
Chocolate toxicity calculator →
Cat ate paracetamol or Calpol?
Paracetamol toxicity calculator →