Food poisoning (chocolate, onion, grapes)
CRITICAL
Food poisoning (chocolate, onion, grapes)
Poisoning
Your pet has eaten chocolate, onion, garlic or grapes — what you do in the first 1-2 hours matters enormously.
Symptoms to watch for
- ▸ Repeated vomiting
- ▸ Diarrhoea
- ▸ Trembling, seizures
- ▸ Lethargy, laboured breathing
- ▸ Gums unusually pale or red
- ▸ Rapid heartbeat / irregular heart rhythm
DO THIS NOW (in order)
- 1 Write down what was eaten + how much + when (photograph the packaging)
- 2 Call the clinic immediately — name the toxin so they can prepare an antidote
- 3 Watch for symptoms and note the time each one appears
- 4 Keep your pet somewhere quiet and moderately warm
- 5 Bring the packaging or a sample of the food with you to the vet
NEVER DO THIS
- ✕ DO NOT make your pet vomit yourself (only the vet has a safe emetic)
- ✕ DO NOT give milk/oil/salt to 'flush the gut' (it makes things worse)
- ✕ DO NOT wait to see if it passes — chocolate toxicity depends on dose and time
- ✕ DO NOT give any more food
Getting there safely
Put your pet in a carrier lined with a towel. Keep them upright if they are vomiting. Go to the nearest clinic — not necessarily Mon Min if it is more than 30 minutes away.
While you wait for the vet
- ▸ Keep the airway clear
- ▸ If your pet vomits — turn the head to one side to prevent choking
- ▸ Monitor breathing rate + gums (report any change to the vet at once)
- ▸ DO NOT give water if your pet is lethargic
RED FLAG — get emergency care right away if you see:
- Full-body seizures
- Loss of consciousness
- Blue or purple gums
- Severe difficulty breathing
- Heart rate <60 or >180 bpm
This guide does NOT replace a vet's diagnosis. Always contact the clinic, even if your pet seems fine.