Tell us what your dog or cat is doing. We tell you whether to go to a vet now, today, in the next few days, or to watch them at home, and what to do while you decide.
Reviewed by Dr. Deborah Udaw, DVM, VCN reg. no. 12252
General guidance, not a diagnosis. If you're worried about your pet, talk to a vet.
Paracetamol is poisonous to cats even in tiny amounts, and painkillers such as ibuprofen and diclofenac can cause stomach bleeding and kidney failure in dogs. If your pet is in pain, a vet can give medicine that is safe for them.
Go to a vet straight away if your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, has a fit lasting more than five minutes, may have eaten poison, has been hit by a vehicle, is bleeding heavily, has a swollen belly and is retching without bringing anything up, or is straining to pee with nothing coming out.