Many everyday foods and household products are dangerous to dogs and cats. Learn what to keep out of reach and when to rush to Royal Veterinary Center's 24/7 emergency service.
Some of the most serious poisonings we treat at Royal Veterinary Center begin with something completely ordinary: a square of chocolate dropped on the floor, a few grapes shared as a treat, or a cleaning bottle left open after a humid-weather scrub-down. In Macau's compact high-rise apartments, pets live close to the kitchen, the bathroom and the rubbish bin, so the margin for error is small. The good news is that almost every one of these emergencies is preventable, and knowing the warning signs can save your pet's life. This guide covers the most common toxins in local homes, what to do if your pet ingests one, and when a poisoning becomes a true 24/7 emergency.
Foods that are toxic to dogs and cats
Chocolate, especially dark and baking chocolate, contains theobromine and caffeine that can cause vomiting, racing heart, tremors and seizures. Grapes and raisins can trigger sudden kidney failure even in tiny amounts, and there is no safe dose. Onions, garlic, leeks and chives, common in Cantonese and Portuguese-Macanese cooking, damage red blood cells and cause anaemia, so never feed pets table scraps from a stew or stir-fry. Xylitol, a sweetener found in sugar-free gum, mints, some peanut butters and many medications, causes a dangerous drop in blood sugar and liver failure in dogs. Macadamia nuts, alcohol, caffeine, raw bread dough and cooked bones round out the list. Cooked bones splinter and can puncture the gut or cause a fatal obstruction, so dispose of leftover chicken, pork and fish bones in a sealed bin your pet cannot open.
Household products, plants and medications
Human medications are a leading cause of pet poisoning. Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is especially deadly to cats, and a single tablet can be fatal; ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatories damage the kidneys and stomach. Never give your pet any human medicine without veterinary advice. Cleaning products, bleach, drain cleaners, insecticides, cockroach and rodent baits, and mothballs are all hazards, and Macau's heat and humidity mean these are used often. Lilies deserve special mention: every part of the plant, even pollen brushed off onto fur, causes fatal kidney failure in cats. Other risky plants include sago palm, dieffenbachia and azalea. Store all chemicals and medicines in closed cabinets, and keep lilies out of any home with a cat.
What to do if your pet ingests something toxic
Act quickly and stay calm. Remove any remaining product from your pet's reach and check how much may have been swallowed. Do not try to make your pet vomit at home unless a veterinarian instructs you to, because some substances, such as bleach or sharp objects, cause more damage coming back up. Call Royal Veterinary Center immediately on +853 6677 6611, even at night, and have key information ready: what was eaten, roughly how much, your pet's weight and the time of ingestion. If you can, bring the packaging or a photo of the product so our team can identify the toxic ingredient. The sooner treatment begins, often within the first one to two hours, the better the outcome.
When to rush to RVC's 24/7 emergency service
Some signs mean you should not wait. Repeated vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, tremors, twitching, seizures, collapse, difficulty breathing, pale or yellow gums, or sudden weakness all signal a medical emergency. Cats that have brushed against a lily, dogs that have eaten grapes, raisins or xylitol, and any pet that has swallowed a human medication should be seen even if they look fine, because the most dangerous effects can be delayed by hours. Our hospital is staffed around the clock, so you never have to decide alone in the middle of the night. When in doubt, call our 24/7 emergency line on +853 6677 6611 and let our veterinary team guide you.
Key Takeaways
- Chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic and xylitol are highly toxic to pets.
- Lilies cause fatal kidney failure in cats, and human painkillers can kill in one dose.
- Never induce vomiting at home unless a veterinarian tells you to.
- Bring the packaging or a photo so we can identify the toxin fast.
- Call RVC's 24/7 emergency line on +853 6677 6611 the moment you suspect poisoning.