Top 10 Pet Toxins of 2020

Each year the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) compiles its data from the calls they receive about pets exposed to toxins and releases the Top 10 categories of potential poisons.   

In 2020, the APCC helped over 370,500 animals. They have grouped the hundreds of thousands of exposures they assisted with into the following categories, starting with the most frequent. 

 

1. Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications  

Like last year, OTC meds were number one in 2020. The APCC received almost 17% of their calls in this category.  The most common items were cold medications, vitamins, and pain relievers (ibuprofen, naproxen, acetaminophen). 

2. Human Prescription Medications  

Prescription meds for people also held its number two spot with 15% of the exposures.  Antidepressant, anticonvulsant, and cardiac medication ingestions were very common. 

3. Human Food  

Food is number three with 13% of the exposures.  This year there were many protein and snack bar ingestions along with the typical grapes/raisins, xylitol, and onions/garlic. 

4. Chocolate 

Always a top exposure, chocolate remains at number four but has increased to almost 76 exposures per day. The higher the cocoa content, the more dangerous it is. 

5. Plants 

During the pandemic, more people found themselves purchasing plants for their homes (especially succulents) or sending bouquets to friends and family. Plants moved up from eighth last year to fifth place. 

6. Household toxicants  

Home-improvement toxicants like paint and spackle remained at number six (8.3%) on the list. 

7. Rodenticide  

Rat and mouse poison exposures remained at number seven with 8% of APCC’s call volume.  Unfortunately, these cases are becoming more difficult to treat with the rising popularity of cholecalciferol (vitamin D)-based baits. 

8. Veterinary Products  

Medications for pets tumbled from number five last year to number eight this year.  Chewable medications (pain medications, incontinence medications, calming treats) make up a large part of this category.  

9. Insecticides 

Cases for insecticide poisoning continue to decrease and are down to 4.7% of cases. 

10. Garden products  

Outdoor gardening products remain at number ten with 2.9% of cases. 



 

APCC is available to support veterinarians treating pets for suspected poisonings and can be reached on their 24-hour hotline (888) 426-4435. 

Download and share the Top 10 Pet Toxins in 2020 with your community.