There is no scarier feeling than realizing that your pet has eaten something that they were not supposed to. Chocolate, grapes, corn on the cob as examples [see chart below of foods to avoid feeding your pet]– the very idea that one of our four-legged friends consuming food that could be potentially deadly to them is enough to send anyone into a frenzy.

But don’t fret! Take a deep breath and remember these tips when dealing with the type of pet predicament.  

• The Who, What, When, And How Much Approach

Get as good of an idea as possible of WHO ate what (multiple pets can sometimes add a level of complexity), WHAT your pet ate, WHEN it occurred (timing is essential), as well as HOW MUCH of the naughty nibble they ingested. Your veterinarian is going to ask you this when you call.  

• Call Your Vet 

Calling your vet is the next move to make. This is why it is important to develop a client-pet-vet relationship so that you have a resource to call. If you are a patient at Animal Advocate Pet Hospital, your pet eating the wrong food is enough to get them scheduled for a same-day emergency curbside appointment. Have all info about the urgent matter ready so that veterinary staff can document what is happening with your fur baby. If you do not have a regular vet, be sure to call an emergency veterinary hospital in your area.  

• Call Poison Control  

Okay, so your veterinarian does not have any available appointments to see your pet, or the wait at the emergency veterinary hospital is so long that you fear that your pet won’t be seen before he or she really gets sick. You can always call Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435. There may be a possibility that your pet doesn’t have to go to the hospital but can be monitored at home. Again, know what your pet ate and how much so that the Animal Poison Control agent can advise you properly.  

 Remain calm

True, our pups and kitties devouring what they shouldn’t can be horrifying, but it’s important to keep a level head to get your pet the help they need. Remain calm while following these steps, and you will see that helping your pet in this type of an emergency situation can be a piece of cake. Well not chocolate cake as those are usually dangerous to your dog. See the below table for common edibles that your pet should not eat. 

Food To Avoid Feeding Your Pet
Alcohol  Avocados  Butter  Chocolate  Coffee  Caffeine   Corn  Fat Trimmings  Grapes  Gum  Macadamia Nuts  Milk  Moldy Foods  Mushrooms  Onions  Pits/Seeds of Fruit  Raisins  Raw Eggs  Raw Fish  Raw Meat  Tomatoes  Yeast Dough  Xylitol

 

If you have any additional questions or are in need of a veterinarian don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Animal Advocate Pet Hospital 312-471-1728 for all your pet’s needs!