At 2 a.m., Google is a terrible veterinarian. Panic-searching symptoms in one tab while typing, “my dog ate ___” in another is not a reliable emergency plan. This is what pet poison control is for: a 24/7 veterinary toxicology hotline you can call when your pet is exposed to something potentially dangerous. In the United States, the two major services are the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center and the Pet Poison Helpline.
Pet Poison Control Hotlines: The Two Numbers to Save Now
Both US hotlines are staffed by veterinary toxicologists and available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Save both numbers in your phone now.
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC): (888) 426-4435. $95 per incident.
Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661. $89 per incident, with follow-up calls included. Live chat is also available at petpoisonhelpline.com.
Both services cover the United States; Pet Poison Helpline also serves Canada and the Caribbean. These are the two hotlines referenced by Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and most veterinary teaching hospitals.
Human poison control (1-800-222-1222) is not for pets. Human operators aren’t trained in animal toxicology, and many substances safe for humans are dangerous for cats and dogs.
One regional note: as of July 2025, both hotlines are unable to provide direct guidance to Georgia pet owners due to state telehealth legislation (Senate Bill 105). They can still assist Georgia residents through their veterinarian.
Toxic exposures are common: the ASPCA reports that the APCC received calls about more than 376,000 items that pets were exposed to in 2025.
Which Hotline Should I Call?
Either one. Both have excellent reputations. Pet Poison Helpline is slightly cheaper and includes follow-ups in the fee. ASPCA has the larger historical database and a free mobile app. If one line is busy, try the other.
When to Call Pet Poison Control, Your Vet, or the ER
The right next step depends on whether your regular vet is open, how severe the symptoms are, and what your pet ingested.
Call your regular vet first if their office is open. They know your pet’s history.
Call pet poison control when your vet is closed, or when you need specialized toxicology expertise.
Go directly to the ER if your pet is already showing severe symptoms. Drive first, call second.
Your situation | First call |
Your pet ate something possibly toxic but is acting normal | Regular vet or pet poison control |
Your pet has mild symptoms (drooling, mild vomiting, lethargy) | Regular vet or pet poison control |
Your pet has severe symptoms (seizures, collapse, bloody vomit or stool) | ER immediately; call poison control on the way |
You know your pet ingested a high-risk toxin (xylitol, rat poison, antifreeze, grapes, lilies for cats) | Pet poison control immediately, then likely the ER |
You’re at the ER and staff hasn’t consulted with toxicology | Ask the ER to consult, or call the hotline yourself |
For a serious case, you want both: the ER providing hands-on care, and poison control feeding them a targeted treatment plan. Among the most common cases, rodenticide toxicity is a good example: different types of rat poison work in completely different ways, and treatment varies dramatically depending on which one was ingested.
What Pet Poison Control Costs (And Why They Charge a Fee)
Pet poison control is not free. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center charges $95 per case. Pet Poison Helpline charges $89 per incident, with follow-up calls included.
Neither service receives government funding. Unlike human poison control, which is supported by the CDC, animal poison control is entirely fee-based. The ASPCA explains it directly: the fee covers round-the-clock staffing of veterinary toxicologists, technicians, and assistants every day of the year.
Context helps: a single emergency vet visit typically starts at $150 to $400 for the consultation exam alone. Hospitalization for a moderate poisoning case often runs $1,000 to $3,000. A phone consultation that costs under $100 can save you thousands by helping you determine whether your pet actually needs the ER, and get treatment started faster if they do.
Is There a Free Pet Poison Control Option?
No, the national hotlines are not free, but you do have free alternatives to consider, especially for less urgent questions.
Your regular veterinarian. Many vets will answer a quick toxicology question at no charge, particularly for existing patients.
Your local emergency vet clinic. Some answer basic over-the-phone toxicity questions without charging a fee.
The free ASPCA Animal Poison Control mobile app. Look up whether common plants, foods, and medications are toxic. Not a substitute for a real call in an emergency, but helpful for non-urgent questions.
Vet telehealth through your pet insurance. Some plans include 24/7 access to veterinary professionals at no additional cost. Embrace, for example, includes PawSupport with every plan, giving customers 24/7 phone, chat, and video access to pet pros who can advise on poisons and toxins.
None of these replaces a real hotline call when you know your pet ingested something dangerous. Don’t skip the fee to save money in a true emergency.
What to Have Ready Before You Call
The more information you have ready, the faster the toxicologist can help. If you have a second person with you, have them gather this while you dial:
Your pet’s species, breed, age, and approximate weight
The substance ingested, with packaging, the label, or a photo of the label
The strength or concentration (especially for medications and pesticides)
The amount ingested (estimate if you have to, and err high)
The time of ingestion, or your best guess
Any symptoms your pet is showing, and when they started
A credit card to pay the consultation fee
ASPCA Poison Control vs. Pet Poison Helpline
Feature | ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center | Pet Poison Helpline |
Phone | (888) 426-4435 | (855) 764-7661 |
Fee | $95 per incident | $89 per incident |
Hours | 24/7/365 | 24/7/365 |
Follow-up calls | May cost extra | Included in fee |
Coverage area | United States | US, Canada, Caribbean |
Live chat | No | Yes |
Free mobile app | Yes (toxin lookup) | No |
If you call one and the wait is long, try the other. In an active emergency, the few minutes saved can change the outcome.
Most Common Pet Poisons
According to the ASPCA’s 2025 Top 10 Toxins list, certain substances account for the vast majority of calls. Knowing them helps you both prevent exposures and recognize emergencies faster.
Over-the-counter medications (16.9% of 2025 exposures). Ibuprofen, acetaminophen, vitamins, and supplements, plus a rising share from social-media-driven skincare products.
Food and drink (16.4%). Grapes, raisins, xylitol gum, onions, and garlic top this group.
Chocolate (13.6%). Dark and baker’s chocolate are the most toxic. Dogs are the usual culprits.
Veterinary products (9.1%). Flavored chewables and calming chews that pets mistake for treats.
Plants and fungi (7.5%). Lilies (deadly for cats), sago palm, and psychedelic mushrooms.
Rodenticides (6.5%). Every type requires immediate treatment; some kill days or weeks after ingestion with no early symptoms.
Familiarizing yourself with common toxins, including toxic foods to avoid for dogs, plants toxic to pets, and xylitol poisoning in dogs, can help you act quickly in an emergency.
Pet Poisoning Symptoms That Mean You Need Help Now
Vomiting or diarrhea, especially with blood
Drooling or foaming at the mouth
Tremors, twitching, or seizures
Collapse or inability to stand
Pale, yellow, or bluish gums
Difficulty breathing
Disorientation, hiding, or sudden aggression
How to Prevent a Pet Poisoning Emergency
Prevention is always cheaper than treatment. A few simple habits eliminate the majority of household risks:
Store all medications (both human and pet) in closed cabinets. Not on nightstands or counters.
Bookmark the ASPCA’s toxic plant list before buying new houseplants.
Secure trash cans with tight lids. Use cabinet locks if your pet opens cabinets.
Don’t share food from the table. Small amounts of chocolate, grapes, onions, or xylitol can be fatal.
Check “sugar-free” product labels for xylitol before giving anything to a dog.
Save both hotline numbers in your phone right now.
Accidental poisoning is one of the most common reasons pets end up in the ER, with treatment costs that can run from a few hundred dollars to several thousand for severe cases. Embrace’s accident and illness policies include coverage for accidental poisoning, including diagnostics, hospitalization, and medications. Even an accident-only pet insurance plan covers poisoning as a listed accident, which makes it a practical option for older pets who may not have full illness coverage.