Act now, read later

Cat ate something bad?

Don't wait for symptoms. The first hour is when treatment is simplest — here is exactly what to do.

Do these three things

1. Remove access. Take the food away and move your cat to another room. Save what's left.
2. Note the facts. What was it, roughly how much is missing, and when did it happen? Keep the packaging — ingredient lists matter, especially "sugar-free" (xylitol) and anything seasoned with garlic or onion.
3. Call before symptoms. For chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol gum, alcohol, raw dough, call a hotline or your veterinarian now. Early treatment is easier, safer, and cheaper than waiting.

Never do this

Do not induce vomiting, and do not give milk, salt, oil, or any home remedy. Signs of chocolate or onion-family poisoning can take hours to days to appear, so "acting normal" right now proves nothing.

Go to an emergency vet immediately if

• Your cat collapses, twitches, or has a seizure
• Breathing is labored or the gums look pale or bluish
• Vomiting is repeated, or there is heavy drooling
• Your cat is wobbly, disoriented, or unusually lethargic

Timelines worth knowing

Chocolate signs usually appear within 2–12 hours. Onion and garlic damage red blood cells over 1–5 days — the delay is why calling early matters. Grape and raisin kidney injury can begin within 12–24 hours. Xylitol hypoglycemia can start within 30 minutes.

Outside the US? Call your local emergency veterinary clinic — keep the number saved in your phone before you need it.

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