1. Why pets go for them
A coin cell is the size of a treat and can be swallowed whole. Dogs in particular will pick one up and swallow it without chewing, so you may never see it happen.
2. Treat it as an emergency
Call a vet or an emergency animal hospital straight away, and say it is a coin or button battery. That changes what they do and how quickly they need to act.
3. Don’t wait for signs
There may be no symptoms at first. A dog can look completely normal for hours while a battery burns the tissue in its throat or stomach.
4. Lithium cells are the worst case
A lithium cell does more damage than an alkaline one because it can burn a hole. If you know it was a lithium battery, say so on the phone.
5. Stop it happening again
Keep spare batteries in a closed drawer or a high cupboard, and check that battery doors on toys, remotes and scales are screwed shut. Tape both sides of used cells and take them out of the house.