Your home is full of temptations for your cat or dog. Whether it's toys they love to chew on or food that's safe for humans but not for animals, your furry friend will likely eat something bad for them at least once in their life. When this happens, make sure you have an emergency vet on call, and follow these steps.

5 Steps to Take If Your Pet Eats Something They Shouldn't

1. Get the Pet Away

Whatever it was your dog or cat was eating, it won't do them any good to eat even more of it. Get it out of their mouth if you can and get them away from the area. If possible, have someone in your household clean up the spill or debris while you tend to the animal. Also, keep the pet from grooming themselves in case more of the substance is on their fur or paws.

2. Take Note of What Was Eaten

What your pet swallowed makes a big difference to their potential symptoms and the treatment they need. Take note of the food items, chemicals, or objects, as well as how much they appear to have eaten, so you can explain the situation accurately to the emergency vet.

3. Call Your Emergency Vet

With some objects, you only need to wait for your pet to pass the material. With others, you need to get your pet to an animal hospital immediately. Sometimes inducing vomiting can help, and sometimes it makes your pet's injuries worse. A veterinarian will guide you through your next step based on your description of the incident.

4. Induce Vomiting (If Recommended)

You can't safely induce a cat to vomit with materials you have at home. However, for a dog, inducing vomiting is appropriate if your vet recommends it. This is usually the case if they’ve eaten something poisonous very recently, and it isn't a caustic chemical that will cause more damage on the way up. To do this, give your dog 3% hydrogen peroxide solution at a dose of 1/2 to 1 milliliter per pound of body weight. For example, if your dog weighs 40 pounds, you can give them 20 to 40 milliliters.

5. Bring Your Pet to the Vet

Unless your vet tells you otherwise, head to an emergency clinic immediately. The treatment your pet will receive depends on what they've eaten. They may need to be dosed with activated charcoal or given fluids, or they may need more intensive veterinary treatment. Either way, the veterinary staff will help your pet begin to recover.

If you're worried your dog or cat has eaten something they shouldn't, call Clermont Animal Hospital right away. This emergency vet in Batavia, OH, has provided over 35 years of animal care in Clermont County, and they offer 24/7 support because they understand that emergencies rarely happen during office hours. In addition to cats and dogs, this clinic also cares for birds, reptiles, and exotic pets. To schedule an appointment, call (513) 732-1730, and visit their website to learn more about how their staff can help your pet.