What should I do if my dog has been poisoned?
If you think your dog has been poisoned stay calm and make sure the source of the poison is out of your dog's reach. Call your daytime vet straight away or, if it's at night, on a weekend or bank holiday, your nearest Vets Now, and follow their advice.
There's no time to waste if your dog is showing signs of poisoning. Getting them to a vet quickly as possible will give them the best chance.
How do I know if my dog has been poisoned?
Symptoms of poisoning in dogs can vary tremendously depending on the type of poison they've encountered. These signs can range from vomiting to breathing difficulties to drooling.
Swallowed poisons, for example, often cause sickness, diarrhoea, agitation and heart issues. If your dog has inhaled something toxic they may find it difficult to breathe or lose consciousness. Poisons that come into contact with your dog's skin can cause irritation and pain.
What are the symptoms of poisoning in dogs?
The table below shows the main clinical signs in some of the most common poisons.
Product | Chemical/Name | Some common signs |
|---|---|---|
Chocolate | Theobromine | Agitation, tremors, convulsions, heart issues |
Human drugs | Ibuprofen, Diclofenac | Sickness, diarrhoea, kidney failure |
Anticoagulant rat poison | Bromadiolone, Difenacoum, Warfarin | Excessive bruising or bleeding although these effects may not be seen until several days later |
Slug pellets | Metaldehyde | Unsteady on feet, convulsions, breathing problems |
Grapes and raisins | Vitis Vinifera | Kidney failure |
Vitamin D | Sickness, diarrhoea, convulsions, abnormal heart beat, kidney failure | |
Onions | Thiosulphate | Drooling, nausea, oral irritation, sickness, diarrhoea, pale gums |
If you think your dog has been poisoned, your vet will assess your dog's condition before deciding on a treatment path
How is dog poisoning diagnosed?
What to do in an emergency
Prevent your dog from eating or breathing in any more of the toxin
Phone your vet and take their advice
Gather up any packaging from the poison, or a sample if it's safe
Drive your dog to the vet, keeping them calm and cool on the journey
Show your vet the packaging or sample
Your vet will want to know what's caused toxicity in your dog so, as long as it's safe, take any packaging or substances with you. While it's not possible to test for all toxins, analysis of blood samples should help determine the cause.
How is dog poisoning treated?
Your vet will assess your dog's condition before deciding on a treatment path. Their priority will be to stabilise your pet before carrying out any diagnostic tests or procedures.
The three categories of swallowing dangers are:
Poisons, such as chocolate, human drugs and raisins
Toxic and caustic substances, including bleach
Foreign bodies, such as toys, bones and sticks
Treatment can be diverse ranging from endoscopy and remove, inducing sickness, or severe cases, surgery.
There are also antidotes for some poisons, including adder venom, some rat poisons and antifreeze, but not all. In most cases, your dog's symptoms will be treated to ensure their organs aren't badly affected.
Is activated charcoal used to treat poisoning in dogs?
In veterinary medicine, activated charcoal is sometimes used to absorb toxins. It acts like a magnet, in that it attracts and holds the poison to its surface, before passing through the gastrointestinal tract. It's never given to animals who have ingested caustic materials or chemicals such as ethanol, fluoride and fertiliser.
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Will the vet make my dog sick if they've been poisoned?
Awareness of dog poisoning dangers
Surveys have shown that only 30% of pet owners whose dog has swallowed something poisonous would rush them to their vet immediately. Around 40% said they would wait for signs of illness. If you're worried your dog has ingested a toxic substance don't take that risk. Early action is the key to a positive outcome.
You may hear your vet talking about 'inducing emesis'. This is the act of making your dog sick in a bid to empty the contents of their stomach. Vets often use apomorphine to do this. Emetic agents are not used when alkalis, acids, corrosive agents, or hydrocarbons have been swallowed due to the risk of chemical burns or aspiration.
How can I prevent my dog from being poisoned?
Keep all potentially toxic substances, plants, flowers and foods well out of reach of your dog. If you're treating pets with insecticides, separate them from other pets in the house, and always ensure your dog's water supply is fresh.
What is poisonous to dogs?
According to studies, human drugs and medicines are commonly swallowed by dogs than any other poison. These are followed by human foods, such as chocolate, grapes and raisins, insecticides, rat poison and dietary supplements such as vitamin tablets.
The tables below show some of the most common poisons to harm dogs:
Common inhaled poisons
smoke
tear gas
insecticides
household chemicals
some paints
Common ingested poisons
acids
household and garden chemicals
petroleum products
antifreeze, screen wash
rat poison
slug pellets
alkalis
drugs and medications
some human foods
luminous necklaces and glow sticks
batteries
some paints
paintball pellets
some plants and flowers
children's modelling compounds
Dangerous to the skin
tar
petroleum and gasoline products
household chemicals
paint or paint remover
stinging nettles
flea and tick medication – if overdosed, or if dog products are used on cats
Authors and contributors
Disclaimer
Vets Now assumes no liability for the content of this page. This advice is not a substitute for a proper consultation with a vet and is only intended as a guide. Please contact your local veterinary practice for advice or treatment immediately if you are worried about your pet’s health, even if they are closed, they will always have an out-of-hours service available.