Animal poison control is not free, but the fee is small, one-time, and almost always the cheapest part of a poisoning scare. Both major services charge a single per-incident consultation fee that covers the whole case, including follow-up calls with you and your vet. The fee is the reason some owners hesitate to call, and it should not be: a consultation costs a fraction of the emergency visit it often prevents.
The direct answer
The Pet Poison Helpline charges a one-time consultation fee of $85 per incident, and that fee includes any follow-up calls for the same case, with you or with your veterinarian (fee verified on the Pet Poison Helpline site, checked July 2026). The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center also charges a one-time per-incident consultation fee; the ASPCA does not publish the exact amount on its own poison-control page, so confirm it when you call (checked July 2026). Either way it is one fee for the whole case, not a charge per phone call.
What you actually get for it
You are paying for a veterinary toxicologist and the largest animal-poisoning case databases in existence. They give you a definitive risk assessment for your specific substance, dose, and dog, a clear plan (monitor at home, or go in, and what to watch for), and a case number. That case number matters: if you end up at an emergency vet, they can call the same specialists and pick up your case, so the ER is not starting from scratch. Our how vets treat poisoning guide covers what happens next.
Why the fee is the cheapest part
A consultation is tens of dollars. An emergency-room visit with hospitalization, IV fluids, and monitoring runs into the hundreds or thousands. Often the consultation prevents the bigger bill entirely, by telling you an ingestion is harmless and you do not need the ER, or it makes the ER visit shorter and better-targeted because you arrive with a plan and a case number. Either way the fee earns its keep.
Does pet insurance cover it?
Sometimes, depending on the policy. Some pet-insurance plans reimburse poison-control consultation fees, and some plans and microchip-registration services even bundle poison-control access. Because it varies so much between providers and policies, check yours before you need it rather than assuming coverage. Do not let the question of reimbursement delay the call in an actual emergency.
Who to call first
- Your regular vet, if they are open: they know your dog's history and there may be no separate fee.
- The nearest emergency animal hospital, after hours, especially if your dog is already unwell.
- An animal poison-control line, any time, for a definitive read on a specific substance and dose. They are staffed 24/7 by toxicology specialists.
- In a clear crisis (seizure, collapse, trouble breathing), go to the ER now and call on the way: see first 10 minutes and signs of poisoning.
Have this ready before you dial
Frequently asked questions
Is the ASPCA poison control number free to call?
The phone call connects you for free, but there is a one-time per-incident consultation fee for the toxicology service. The ASPCA does not list the exact amount on its poison-control page, so confirm it when you call (checked July 2026).
How much does the Pet Poison Helpline cost?
A one-time fee of $85 per incident, which includes follow-up calls for the same case with you or your vet (verified on the Pet Poison Helpline site, checked July 2026). It is one fee for the whole case, not per call.
Is it worth paying when I could just go to the vet?
Usually yes. A consultation often costs far less than an ER visit and can tell you the ER is not needed at all, or make it faster and cheaper by giving you and the ER a plan and a case number. In a clear emergency, go to the vet and call on the way.
Will my pet insurance reimburse the fee?
It depends on your policy; some plans do, and some plans or microchip services bundle poison-control access. Check your own coverage in advance. Never let the reimbursement question delay a call during an actual emergency.
What do I need before I call?
Your dog's weight, the substance and its packaging, the amount eaten, the timing, and any symptoms so far. Have it ready to make the call quick and the advice precise.