ASPCA Poison Control Hotline: When, Why, and How to Use It

The ASPCA Poison Control number is 888-426-4435. It’s a 10-digit number every pet parent should know. Many of the calls we receive in the veterinary emergency room are inquiries about whether or not something is toxic to pets, helping pet parents determine if their dog needs to see an emergency vet. These inquiries can include questions about medications, vitamins and supplements, common and unusual household items, as well as various food.

With thousands of medications and oddities that pets can get into, it becomes nearly impossible to know what is toxic, at what dose toxicity becomes a concern, and the treatment for each of these substances. So when we receive a call, we often refer pet parents to ASPCA Poison Control for further information regarding the “dietary indiscretion.”

This invaluable service provided by the ASPCA is truly beneficial when there are questions or concerns about the potential toxicity of any given substance. The center is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, by experts who have an expansive database at their disposal, which includes every imaginable substance ever known to be toxic to dogs and cats. Here’s what you need to know about pet poison helplines.

How does a call to ASPCA Poison Control work?

When you call the hotline for the ASPCA Poison Control Center, you will be connected with veterinary staff who can determine if your pet needs medical attention, if you can induce vomiting at home (especially important for those who live far from veterinary care), or if you can potentially administer other home treatments.

They’ll ask for information about your pet (such as weight, breed, and age), the potential toxin, how much they were exposed to, and their symptoms. With the available information, they can prepare a treatment plan to get your pet healthy at home or direct you to a vet.

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When to Take Your Dog to an Emergency Vet

The best thing you can do for your pup in an emergency is to identify critical symptoms and know where they can be treated.

Upon completion of the call, pet parents are given a case number that can be referenced should your pet’s condition change or other signs develop. If your pet does happen to need urgent medical attention, once you arrive at the hospital for treatment, your veterinarian can call the center (also referencing this number) and continue your pet’s care based on the toxicologist’s recommendations. If your pet doesn’t need emergency care, the report is helpful for you to take when you go to your normal veterinarian’s office to update their pet health records.

It's a veterinarian’s responsibility to call back the toxicologist and report the response to treatment. This follow-up information continues to help others in the future as each toxic exposure, treatment, and response to treatment gets added to the ever-growing database.

How much is a call to ASPCA Poison Control?

A fee up to $95 (at the time of publishing) may apply for the ASPCA Poison Control service, but a call might actually save you a more expensive trip to the ER or to your veterinarian, and give you peace of mind. This is truly priceless information, especially considering the misinformation that can be found online.

Benefits of poison control helplines

In fact, I have had to treat pets whose conditions actually worsened due to inappropriate at-home treatments. One situation that comes to mind involved a well-meaning pet parent who induced vomiting at home, based on what she had read online, after her dog ingested Tide laundry detergent. Detergents can be highly caustic (making vomiting a big no-no), and her dog subsequently suffered from erosive ulcers along the entire length of their esophagus. As a result, her pup required a feeding tube to bypass the esophagus, allowing it to heal.

Every pet parent should have the ASPCA Poison Control number (888-426-4435) in their phone or on their refrigerator. This number may save your pet’s life and help other pets in the process.

Commonly asked questions

How long is the wait time for ASPCA Poison Control?

Although average wait times vary, expect to wait at least 10 minutes for assistance when calling the ASPCA Poison Control helpline.

What is the phone number for the poison control center?

If you need assistance with a pet poisoning incident, please call your veterinarian, the ASPCA Poison Control helpline (888-426-4435), or the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661).

What is Pet Poison Helpline?

Similar to the ASPCA helpline, the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) is a 24/7 emergency hotline for pet parents to get help when their dog, cat, or other small pet ingests something concerning. Staffed by veterinarians, toxicologists, veterinary technicians, and pharmacists, they’ll walk you through what to do. The fee for the Pet Poison Helpline tends to be around $89 per incident.

References

“Animal Poison Control.” ASPCA, 2015, www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control.

‌“ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC).” Aspcapetinsurance.com, 2025, www.aspcapetinsurance.com/veterinarians/apcc-animal-poison-control-center.

‌“24/7 Animal Poison Control Center.” Pet Poison Helpline, www.petpoisonhelpline.com.