A cat or dog eats poisonous plants. What should you do? How to provide first aid before going to the doctor.

Last checked 2026-07-02

3 things to do immediately

First, take your cat or dog away from the plant and look in its mouth if there are any leaves or flowers remaining. Gently remove as far as you can see. Don't try to go deep down your throat. Because of the risk of being bitten and may push plant debris deeper than before.

Second, collect information as quickly as possible. Take clear photos of the entire plant, leaves, and flowers. If you know the name, write it down. Estimate how many leaves or words are missing. And write down the time you think you ate it. These three pieces of information are what the doctor will ask for first. and has a direct effect on treatment methods

Third and most important Do not induce vomiting without your veterinarian's order. This is the number one misconception that animal owners have. The ASPCA Pet Poison Control Center emphasizes that inducing vomiting at home may be more dangerous than the poison itself. Because some plants are corrosive. If you vomit, it will burn your esophagus again. And animals that begin to become lethargic or convulse may choke and vomit into their lungs, causing severe pneumonia.

Folk methods like adding salt or hydrogen peroxide are even more dangerous. Large amounts of salt can cause convulsions and coma. As for hydrogen peroxide, the Merck Veterinary Manual states that it must not be used in cats. Because it causes severe gastritis to the point of bleeding. The best thing to do is call the animal hospital immediately, tell them the plant name, dosage, and time, and only follow the doctor's instructions.

What kind of symptoms require you to go to the hospital now?

Groups that must leave home immediately Don't call first to ask: Seizures, tremors, or muscle spasms. Difficulty breathing or unusual panting The gums are pale white or purple, the person walks unsteadily and is unconscious or rarely awakens. This group of symptoms means that the poison is already acting on the nervous system or circulatory system. Every minute there is an effect.

The group that had to call the doctor immediately and prepare to go: vomited repeatedly, had loose bowel movements, salivated excessively, was clearly lethargic, and refused to eat anything. or peeing less frequently than is noticeable Especially the last point in cats. This may be a sign that your kidneys are starting to have problems.

Mouth irritation syndrome, such as shaking the head, rubbing the mouth with paws, drooling, swollen mouth or tongue It is usually caused by plants in the calcium oxalate crystal group that Thai people grow all over their homes, such as Lily, spotted betel, and Monstera. Most of these symptoms are not life-threatening. But if the tongue or throat is very swollen, it will affect breathing. You should call your doctor every time.

Important exception: If the plant eaten is a lily (in cats) or a cycad, do not wait for symptoms to appear. Go to the hospital immediately. The reason is in the next two sections.

What do I need to prepare to give to the doctor?

Take plant samples with you if you can. Remove leaves or branches and place them in a zipper bag or plastic bag. If it's not convenient, take a photo instead. By taking one picture of the entire plant. One close-up photo of a leaf and flowers or fruits, if any If it's a recently purchased tree and still has a name tag on it. Take a photo of the sign as well.

If the animal has vomited Collect a vomit sample and put it in a bag and take it to the doctor. It doesn't sound pleasant. But it helps confirm what you eat and how much comes out.

Prepare information to answer: What time do you eat? How much is the approximate quantity? The animal's body weight, congenital diseases, and medications taken The reason this information is so important is Most poisons do not have ready-made test kits. The doctor must know what he or she is dealing with in order to choose the right treatment. Identifying the type of plant early means starting to treat it in the right way sooner.

Special case: Lily and Cat, just a little bit and it's an emergency.

True lilies (Lilium) and day lilies (Hemerocallis) are highly toxic to cats' kidneys and all parts of the plant, including petals, leaves, stems, pollen, and even the water in vases. The Pet Poison Helpline states that cats simply lick the pollen off their fur. Or drink water from a vase filled with lilies. It can cause acute kidney failure.

The first symptoms within 0 to 12 hours include lethargy, vomiting, drooling, and not eating. Then the kidneys begin to fail within 24 to 72 hours. The worst part is that some symptoms initially seem to improve. Even though my kidneys are collapsing inside

So there's only one rule for Lily: Doubt the cat hit Lily in any way. Go to the hospital immediately. No need to wait to see symptoms. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that if treatment is started early, there is a high chance of survival. But if left until kidney failure, then The damage may be permanent or life-threatening. If there are lilies in the house It's safest to throw it away with the water in the vase today.

Special case: Cycads are life-threatening to both dogs and cats.

Cycas (sago palm, Cycas family) are popular ornamental plants in Thai gardens and are grown as bonsai in some homes. All parts of the plant contain the liver-damaging toxin cycasin, with the seeds being the most concentrated. The Pet Poison Helpline states that just one or two seeds are deadly.

Symptoms begin quickly, from 15 minutes to a few hours after eating, including vomiting, drooling, not eating, and loose diarrhea. Within about 4 hours, neurological symptoms such as weakness, staggering, seizures, and liver failure may begin to appear within 2 to 3 days.

Numbers to Know: Data from the ASPCA Pet Poison Control Center that the VCA cites indicate a death rate of 32 to 50 percent, even with treatment. This is another case where you should not wait and see the symptoms. When do you eat cycads? Go to the hospital then The more it reaches the doctor before the poison is absorbed. The chance of survival is higher.

Arrived at the hospital What will the doctor do?

Know this beforehand so you don't panic and make decisions faster. First, the doctor will take a history from the information you have prepared. Then evaluate how you should remove the poison from your body. If you've eaten it recently and the plant type is safe to do. The doctor will use a medicine to induce vomiting that is specially designed for animals. Unlike the home method, you can control it and have a team ready to help if there are any problems.

The next step is usually activated charcoal to absorb any remaining toxins in the digestive tract. along with intravenous saline to support the kidneys and liver and medicine according to symptoms such as anti-vomiting medicine and gastric protection medicine.

The doctor will periodically draw blood to check kidney and liver values. In the case of lilies or cycads, you usually need to stay in the hospital for 1 to 3 days to continue receiving IV fluids and to monitor for organ failure. These are standard guidelines according to the Merck Veterinary Manual on Treating Poisoning. The point that I want you to remember is Comes faster, easier to treat The animal suffers less. And the costs are often much lower.

Precaution: Check the name of the plant before bringing it into the house.

Almost all poisonous plant cases can be prevented with just one habit. That is, check the name of every plant before buying. Whether it's a potted plant flowers in a vase or garden plants. The ASPCA has a database of plants poisonous to dogs and cats that can be used as a reference around the world, and MeowNavi has a checker for poisonous plants in Thai for you to search.

There are more popular plants in Thai homes that are on the ASPCA's list of poisons than you think, such as betel lilies, daemons, monstera, dragon's tongue, and aloe vera. and Indian tires Most are toxic to the irritating level. But lilies and cycads are life-threatening levels.

For homes with cats Placing plants out of reach is not the answer. Because cats can climb almost everywhere. The only sure way is not to bring highly poisonous plants into the house in the first place. And finally, write down the number of the nearest 24-hour animal hospital on your refrigerator or save it in your phone. The day you actually need it, you won't have time to sit and figure it out.

If right now you are in urgent need of a doctor, MeowNavi has included a list of 24-hour animal hospitals throughout Thailand. and before buying the next tree Always try to search the name in our poisonous plant checker first.

Frequently asked questions

Can drinking milk help with detoxification?

No. This is one of the most common myths. The Pet Poison Helpline states that milk does not help with detoxification in most cases. Plus, many dogs and cats are allergic to lactose. Milk can cause more vomiting and diarrhea. Instead of getting milk, use that time to call the animal hospital.

Can you make yourself vomit at home?

Do not do this unless your veterinarian has prescribed it. especially in cats The Merck Veterinary Manual clearly states that hydrogen peroxide should not be used in cats because it can cause gastritis severe enough to cause bleeding. Adding salt can cause convulsions and coma. And if the plant is corrosive Vomiting burns the esophagus repeatedly. If it's really necessary to do it. The doctor will prescribe and tell you the method.

Still don't have any symptoms. Do I have to see a doctor?

Depends on plant type If it's a lily (in cats) or a cycad, you must go immediately even if you look fine. This is because the kidneys and liver may be damaged before symptoms appear. And if you wait until you have symptoms, it's often too late. As for other types of plants or if you're not sure what type of plant it is, Always call the animal hospital to consult first. Don't decide for yourself that it's okay.

Just chew and spit it out, don't swallow it. Is it dangerous?

Can be dangerous. Plants in the calcium oxalate group such as daisy, betel, monstera, just chewing them can cause the mouth and tongue to swell. And if it's Lily and the cat Chewing or even licking pollen stuck to the fur is enough to cause kidney failure. Therefore, treat it as if you have eaten it. That is, take pictures of the plants, call the doctor, and closely monitor the symptoms.

Can I buy activated charcoal and feed it myself?

No. Activated charcoal is only effective for certain types of poisoning. Giving it at the wrong time or the wrong size can cause it to choke into the lungs. or causing the sodium level in the blood to be dangerously high And in animals that are depressed or convulsive, do not feed anything by mouth. Giving activated charcoal is a veterinarian's decision only after evaluating the type of poison and symptoms.

Reference source: www.aspca.org · www.aspca.org · www.petpoisonhelpline.com · www.fda.gov · www.petpoisonhelpline.com · vcahospitals.com · www.merckvetmanual.com · www.merckvetmanual.com · www.petpoisonhelpline.com · www.petpoisonhelpline.com · vcahospitals.com · www.chula.ac.th