Getting your facts straight before you call the clinic
Enter the time since it was swallowed and the travel time to the clinic, then check what applies. The tool returns the elapsed time, the elapsed time on arrival, how many items apply and which ones. The screen is built to be read aloud on the phone, so it never clears any item.
Elapsed time on arrival is the time since swallowing plus the travel time. There is no official table that sets a dangerous amount for each type of object, so this tool does not ask about amount and only counts the characteristics. The emergency grouping and the stance on induced vomiting follow AVMA and ASPCA poison guidance and American Red Cross pet first aid guidance. Current as of October 2026.
Do not make your pet vomit at home. Sharp, caustic and petroleum items injure the esophagus on the way back up and can enter the airway. Do not offer food or water, and bring the packaging of the same product with you. This tool is for reference only and does not replace veterinary care. Contact your veterinarian right away if you notice symptoms or suspect a problem.
Frequently asked questions
Do not wait. No table defines how little is too little to matter, and some items such as button batteries and magnets cause damage within hours regardless of amount. Call now even for a small amount.
No. Salt causes poisoning on its own, and hydrogen peroxide can injure the stomach and esophagus further depending on what was eaten. Your veterinarian decides on the phone whether to induce vomiting.
String-like items and batteries often cause no symptoms for the first several hours. Once symptoms appear, surgery tends to be larger, so call even while your pet still looks normal.