Dog poisoning is a veterinary emergency. Knowing what to do in the first minutes can be the difference between life and death.
Most Common Causes of Dog Poisoning
- Chocolate (theobromine)
- Grapes and raisins (kidney failure)
- Xylitol — sugar substitute in many foods
- Ibuprofen and paracetamol
- Rat poison (rodenticides)
- Antifreeze (ethylene glycol)
- Certain plants (azalea, yew, foxglove)
- Permethrin — in some flea products, highly toxic to dogs if misused
Symptoms of Poisoning
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Drooling excessively
- Trembling or seizures
- Collapse or weakness
- Pale or blue gums
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Loss of coordination
What to Do Immediately
- Stay calm and remove the dog from the source
- Do NOT induce vomiting unless specifically instructed by a vet
- Call your vet or emergency animal poison line immediately
- Take the packaging or substance with you to the vet
- Note when the dog was exposed and how much was consumed
Do Not Wait for Symptoms
If you know or suspect your dog has eaten something toxic, do not wait for symptoms to appear. Some poisons act slowly — by the time symptoms appear, organ damage may have occurred. Call immediately.