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How the ASPCA’s animal poison-control service began
Animal poison prevention took shape in the late 1960s and early 1970s, according to the ASPCA. Veterinary toxicologist Dr. William Buck launched the first Animal Toxicology Hotline in 1978 at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. The ASPCA acquired the hotline in 1996. It remains allied with the university and is now known as ASPCA Poison Control. The ASPCA’s history of the service describes its evolution from a university-based hotline into a round-the-clock resource.
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The service reached its five-millionth case in July 2025. In its March 2026 account, the ASPCA said more than 200 veterinary professionals support the service, including over 50 veterinarians and nearly 100 licensed veterinary technicians. The ASPCA also says its experts determine that 50–75% of cases can be safely managed at home, while critical cases are coordinated with the pet’s veterinarian. That describes the service’s case assessments; it is not a reason to wait, treat a pet at home, or assume a particular exposure is safe.
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What pets were exposed to most often in 2025
The ASPCA’s March 2026 annual list covers more than 376,000 items pets were exposed to in cases reported to its Poison Control staff during 2025. The percentages below are the shares of reported exposures in each category. This is a record of cases the service received—not a population-wide measure of pet risk, a severity ranking, or a way to judge an individual incident. Categories and examples are reported by the ASPCA in The Top 10 Toxins of 2025 and its related 2026 report.
| Rank | Exposure category | Share of 2025 reported exposures | Examples noted by the ASPCA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Over-the-counter medicines and supplements | 16.9% | Vitamins, dietary supplements, pain medicines, and skin-care products |
| 2 | Food and drink | 16.4% | Grapes, raisins, xylitol gum, onions, and garlic |
| 3 | Human prescription medicines | 14.6% | Cardiac medicines, antidepressants, and ADHD medicines |
| 4 | Chocolate | 13.6% | Chocolate |
| 5 | Veterinary products | 9.1% | Flavored chewables and soft chews |
| 6 | Plants and fungi | 7.5% | Plants and fungi |
| 7 | Rodenticides | 6.5% | Rat and mouse poisons |
| 8 | Household products | 6.4% | Cleaners and paints |
| 9 | Insecticides | 3.8% | Insecticides |
| 10 | Recreational drugs | 1.9% | Recreational drugs |
These figures reflect the ASPCA service’s reported 2025 cases, not the odds that a pet will encounter a substance or how dangerous an exposure will be. For example, a category’s position on this list does not tell you whether a particular amount is safe.
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Common exposure lists and severe-toxin lists answer different questions
The annual list shows what came up frequently in the service’s cases. A separate ASPCA list, published October 1, 2026, highlights toxins it associates with serious or potentially life-threatening signs. Its examples include 5-fluorouracil, an ingredient in some human skin-cancer medicines; amphetamines, including ADHD medicines; baclofen; calcium-channel blockers; lamotrigine; 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP); hops used in brewing; metaldehyde in some slug and snail baits; blue-green algae; and methomyl in some fly baits. The ASPCA’s severe-toxin list says concern depends on the amount ingested, the pet’s size, and medical history.
Neither list can determine the risk of an individual exposure. Do not wait for symptoms or use a list to self-triage: if you suspect contact or ingestion, call a veterinarian or Poison Control promptly, especially if one of these hazards may be involved.
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How to reduce everyday exposure risks
Secure medicines and supplements
Keep human prescription and over-the-counter medicines in closed cabinets pets cannot reach. Store veterinary medicines and supplements securely, too: flavored chewables may attract pets, and an animal may consume the contents of an accessible container. After giving a dose, put the container away rather than leaving it on a counter or bedside table.
Keep risky foods, drinks, and rubbish out of reach
Put food, drinks, and garbage where pets cannot get to them. The ASPCA identifies grapes, raisins, xylitol-containing gum, onions, garlic, and chocolate among common concerns. Do not assume that a small amount is harmless; contact a veterinarian or Poison Control if your pet may have eaten something concerning.
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Check plants before bringing them home
Use the ASPCA’s Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants database to look up plants before adding them to a home or garden. The database is not exhaustive, and appearance alone may not reliably identify a plant. The ASPCA also notes that any plant material may cause gastrointestinal upset in dogs and cats.
Use pest-control products as directed
Store rodent bait where pets cannot reach it. Follow insecticide label directions, including any dilution instructions, and put product bags away after use. If you suspect a pet got into bait or pesticide, have the product packaging available when you call for advice.
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Use household cleaners with care, especially around birds
The ASPCA says most cleaning products are safe around dogs and cats when used according to label directions. Birds are especially sensitive to fumes, so seek veterinary advice when using cleaning products around them. Its household-products guide is general information, not a substitute for advice about a suspected exposure.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to do if your pet may have been exposed
- Call promptly. Contact your veterinarian or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435. The service says it is available 24/7, 365 days a year; a consultation fee may apply.
- Share what you know. Be ready to describe the substance or product, when exposure may have happened, how much may be missing, and your pet’s size and medical history. Keep packaging or a plant photo available if you can do so without delaying the call.
- Follow professional instructions. Do not induce vomiting or give a home remedy unless a veterinary professional specifically tells you to. The ASPCA’s historical account notes that an old 1956 suggestion to induce vomiting in cats was inappropriate; that history is not a treatment protocol.
- Seek urgent veterinary care when directed. Poison Control can coordinate with your veterinarian in critical cases. If your pet is showing severe signs, contact an emergency veterinarian immediately while following professional guidance.
ASPCA Poison Control’s reference pages provide general awareness and prevention information; they do not assess or manage a time-sensitive exposure. As Dr. Tina Wismer, senior director of toxicology at ASPCA Poison Control, said in a March 11, 2026 ASPCA statement: “If you think your pet may have gotten into something harmful, contact us right away.”
Which ASPCA resource should you use?
| Resource | Useful for | What it cannot do |
|---|---|---|
| Annual “Top 10 Toxins” list | Seeing which exposure categories appeared most often in the ASPCA’s reported cases in the prior calendar year | It does not rank severity or establish an individual pet’s risk. |
| “Top 10 Deadliest Pet Toxins” list | Recognizing examples the ASPCA associates with serious or potentially life-threatening signs | It cannot assess a specific exposure; amount, pet size, and medical history matter. |
| Plant and household reference guides | General prevention and identification information | They are not exhaustive and do not manage a time-sensitive exposure. |
| ASPCA Poison Control or your veterinarian | Getting case-specific advice after a suspected exposure | A Poison Control consultation fee may apply. |
What the service’s reach means for pet owners
In March 2026, the ASPCA reported that Poison Control handled more than 376,000 toxic-substance exposures and helped over 334,000 animals during 2025; the number of animals helped was 3.7% higher than the year before. The organization also reported that six in ten surveyed American pet owners lacked confidence in their ability to afford a medical emergency for a pet. That is the ASPCA’s survey finding, not a claim about every pet owner. It underscores why knowing where to call matters, but cost concerns should not lead owners to delay seeking advice about a possible poisoning.
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