🚫 Is it toxic?
Find out in seconds if a food or plant is dangerous for your dog, cat or bird, and what to do if they already ate it.
For: Dog, Cat, Bird
This tool is coming very soon.
How to use it
- Choose your pet's species and fill in the details it asks for.
- See the result and save or share the image with your family.
- Come back anytime: your data stays saved on your phone.
This tool is for guidance only. If you have any concern about your pet's health, ask your vet.
Guide: foods and plants that are dangerous for your pet
What this tool does
Is it toxic? is a quick search to find out whether a food or plant is safe, dangerous or somewhere in between for your dog, cat or bird. Type the name, pick the species and see the result instantly, with an explanation of why it's dangerous, what symptoms it can cause and what to do if your pet already ate it.
How it works
The tool has a database of hundreds of common foods and house and garden plants. Each one is rated separately for each species, because what's safe for a dog can be serious for a cat or a bird. For example, lilies are very dangerous for cats, and avocado is especially dangerous for birds.
Use it before sharing food with your pet or before buying a new houseplant.
The most dangerous, by species
- Dogs: chocolate (the darker, the worse), grapes and raisins, onion and garlic, xylitol (a sweetener in gum and sugar-free products), macadamia nuts, alcohol and caffeine.
- Cats: lilies (even the pollen or vase water), onion and garlic, acetaminophen and other human medicines, and dog flea products that contain permethrin.
- Birds: avocado, chocolate, caffeine, salt, alcohol and fumes from overheated non-stick pans.
The full list for dogs is in our article Foods dogs can't eat.
What to do if it already ate it
Stay calm and act fast. The sooner you get help, the better.
- Move your pet away from the food or plant and keep the package or a piece to show.
- Estimate how much it ate and when. Note its approximate weight.
- Call your vet or an emergency clinic right away. In the US you can also call a pet poison hotline such as ASPCA Animal Poison Control or Pet Poison Helpline (a fee may apply).
- Don't make it vomit on your own or give it milk or oil. Some substances do more damage coming back up the esophagus.
Symptoms can take hours to appear, so don't wait to see them before getting help.
Make your home safer
Store chocolate, gum, medicines and cleaning products in closed cupboards, not on low tables or in open bags. Use a trash can with a lid, since many poisonings happen when pets raid the garbage. Before the holidays, when there are more sweets and plants at home, check the new items in the tool.
Frequently asked questions
Will a little chocolate hurt my dog?
It depends on the type of chocolate and the dog's weight. Dark and baking chocolate are the most dangerous. When in doubt, call the vet.
Which fruits can dogs eat?
Seedless apple, banana, seedless watermelon and blueberries, in small amounts. Look each one up in the tool.
Are houseplants dangerous for cats?
Some are, like lilies, pothos, dieffenbachia or aloe. Check yours in the tool.
Does the tool replace the vet?
No. It's a quick guide. If your pet ate something dangerous, always call a professional.
Was it helpful? Tell us
Share your opinion, an idea or a bug you spotted. Your message reaches us by email and is not published on the site.