Do not give human meds to your pets!
- Tom Dock, Noah's Animal Hospitals
- Jan 16
- 2 min read
With the start of the new year, veterinary toxicologists at Pet Poison Helpline have once again generated their Top Pet Poisons listing. The #1 poison for dogs (chocolate) and the #1 poison for cats (lillies) stayed the same, but each list added acetaminophen to the Top 10!
It is not unusual for pet parents to call Pet Poison Helpline about acetaminophen, but the jump of this human pain reliever into the Top 10 of pet poisons was surprising. It is theorized that a harsh 2025 flu season for people may be to blame. According to the CDC, more than 80 million Americans suffered from flu illness last year and the increased numbers may have led to more pain-relieving products in the household. Many acetaminophen products, especially those for children, could have flavors that our pets find interesting.
It is true that some veterinarians will use specific strengths and dosages of acetaminophen for control of pain in dogs, but our feline friends can suffer greatly from accidental or purposeful ingestion of this drug. Pet Poison Helpline considers acetaminophen as posing a severe toxic level for cats. A single extra strength Tylenol tablet can kill a cat!
You can find the complete listing of 2025’s Top Ten Pet Poisons for dogs and cats here.
Pet Poison Helpline also has an interactive online tool that shows the Top 20 pet toxins by state or province.
If you are concerned about something your pet ate, your first call should be to your veterinarian or the closest animal emergency hospital. In some cases, you may not need to do anything but monitor your furry friend.
In case that you do need to go to the veterinary hospital, go ahead and call Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) or Pet Poison Control (888-426-4435) while you are en route. There is a charge for this service, but the benefits far outweigh the costs. First and foremost, you will be speaking with experts who deal with toxin emergencies every day. They have access to information that most veterinarians would not know, for example, how many milligrams of xylitol are in the pack of gum your pet just ate. Most veterinary emergency clinicians will not have this information readily available.
Secondly, by calling ahead, you will get a case number, and this case number will allow your veterinarian to bypass the entry menu and speak directly with the experts, saving precious time.
Finally, if you are worried about any potential complications in the future from toxin ingestion, your pet’s case can be followed up with those same experts at no charge! Keep your veterinarian’s number handy as well as the number of the closest emergency hospital. These will be invaluable in case you are faced with a sudden need because of your pet’s actions!
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