What ASPCA Animal Poison Control Does and When to Call

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) is a 24-hour phone service staffed by veterinarians and toxicologists who tell you whether something your pet ate is dangerous and what to do right now. You call them when your dog eats chocolate, your cat gets into medication, your bird swallows a toxic plant, or your rabbit chews something you're not sure about. They do not treat the animal themselves — they give you information over the phone so you know whether to rush to an emergency vet, induce vomiting at home, or monitor your pet and watch for symptoms.

The center takes calls from pet owners and from veterinarians who need a second opinion on a poison case. They have a database of thousands of substances and know which ones are truly dangerous to which species at which doses. A substance that is mildly toxic to a dog might be deadly to a cat, or safe at one dose but dangerous at another. That's why calling is faster and more accurate than searching online.

Key Takeaways

  • ASPCA Animal Poison Control answers 24 hours a day, seven days a week at (888) 426-4435, and there is a consultation fee per call.
  • Have the substance name, the amount your pet ate, your pet's weight, and the time it happened ready before you call.
  • The veterinarian or toxicologist will tell you whether your pet needs emergency care or can be monitored at home.
  • If your regular veterinarian is open, you can also call them first — they may have the APCC number on file and can consult directly.
  • Do not induce vomiting or give activated charcoal without instruction from APCC or your vet, because some substances cause more damage coming back up.

The Phone Number and Hours

Call (888) 426-4435. This is the main number for ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. The line is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays. You will reach a live person, not an automated system.

There is a consultation fee for each call — the amount varies and is charged to your credit card at the time of the call. Ask the staff member what the current fee is when you call. Some pet insurance plans cover poison control calls, so check your policy before you hang up.

What Information to Have Ready

Before you dial, gather as much of this as you can: the name of the substance (the actual product name if it's something like a medication or cleaning product), how much your pet ate or was exposed to, your pet's species and weight, and what time it happened. If you have the product bottle or package, read the label — the staff will ask you to do this anyway.

If your pet is showing symptoms right now (vomiting, difficulty breathing, seizures, extreme lethargy), tell the person who answers when ready. They may tell you to hang up and call 911 or drive to an emergency vet instead of staying on the phone. Do not wait for a callback or try to describe symptoms in detail if your pet is in acute distress.

What the Toxicologist Will Tell You

The veterinarian or toxicologist will ask you questions to narrow down the risk. They want to know the exact substance, the dose relative to your pet's weight, how long ago it happened, and whether your pet has any existing health conditions. Then they will tell you one of three things: your pet is fine and does not need treatment; your pet needs monitoring at home for certain symptoms; or your pet needs to go to an emergency veterinary clinic right now.

If they say monitoring is enough, they will tell you what symptoms to watch for and how long to watch. They may tell you to call back in a few hours if symptoms develop. If they say your pet needs treatment, they will explain what the vet should do — sometimes that's inducing vomiting, sometimes it's activated charcoal, sometimes it's IV fluids or other care. Write down what they tell you so you can relay it to the emergency vet.

When to Call Your Regular Vet Instead

If your regular veterinarian is open right now, you can call them first. Many vets have the APCC number on file and can consult with the poison control center directly while you are on the phone with them. Your vet may also know your pet's medical history and be able to give you faster guidance. If your vet is closed, go straight to ASPCA Animal Poison Control or an emergency vet clinic.

Do not delay calling because you are trying to decide between your vet and poison control. If your pet ate something and you are unsure whether it is dangerous, a phone call takes five minutes and costs less than an emergency vet visit. The worst outcome of calling is that you learn your pet is fine.

What Not to Do Before You Call

Do not induce vomiting unless APCC or your veterinarian tells you to. Some poisons cause more damage coming back up than going down — caustic substances like drain cleaner or strong acids will burn the mouth and throat on the way out. Some substances are safe in the stomach but dangerous if aspirated into the lungs during vomiting. The toxicologist will tell you whether vomiting helps or hurts in your specific situation.

Do not give your pet activated charcoal, milk, salt water, or any other home remedy without instruction. Do not try to make your pet vomit by feeding them hydrogen peroxide or anything else. Do not wait to see if symptoms develop — call when ready if you know or suspect your pet swallowed something toxic. The sooner you call, the more options the toxicologist has to help.

After the Call: Following Up With Your Vet

Write down the name of the toxicologist you spoke with and the case number they give you. If your pet needs to go to an emergency vet, bring this information with you. The vet can call APCC back using the case number to get the full details of the consultation without starting over.

If APCC told you to monitor your pet at home, follow their instructions exactly. Call them back if your pet develops any of the symptoms they listed, or if you have questions about what you are seeing. If your pet seems to be getting worse, do not wait — take your pet to an emergency vet and tell them what APCC said.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a charge for calling ASPCA Animal Poison Control?

Yes, there is a consultation fee per call. The amount varies and is charged to your credit card during the call. Some pet insurance plans cover the fee, so ask about your coverage. The cost is usually less than an emergency vet visit, and the call may prevent an unnecessary trip.

What if I do not know exactly what my pet ate?

Tell the toxicologist what you know — the type of product, where you found it, or what your pet had access to. They can work with partial information and will ask follow-up questions to narrow it down. If you can find the product or its label, read it to them during the call.

Can I call ASPCA Animal Poison Control if my pet is not showing symptoms yet?

Yes, call when ready if you know your pet swallowed something toxic. You do not have to wait for symptoms to appear. Early consultation often means the toxicologist can recommend prevention steps that stop symptoms from developing at all.

What if my emergency vet disagrees with what ASPCA Animal Poison Control told me?

Tell your vet the case number and the name of the toxicologist you spoke with. Your vet can call APCC directly to discuss the case. Both are working toward the same goal — keeping your pet safe — and a conversation between them usually resolves any confusion.

Does ASPCA Animal Poison Control treat animals or just give phone information?

They give phone information only. They do not see animals or prescribe medication. They tell you what to do and whether your pet needs to see a veterinarian in person. Your regular vet or an emergency vet clinic provides the actual treatment.