If you think your dog has eaten something poisonous, the single most important thing is to act fast and phone for advice rather than wait to see what happens. The short answer: contact your vet or the Animal PoisonLine straight away, keep any packaging or a sample of what they ate, and do not try to make your dog sick unless a professional tells you to. Many poisons do the most damage in the first hours, so quick action genuinely saves lives.
Dogs are curious, food-motivated and not fussy about what they hoover up, so accidental poisoning is more common than most owners realise. Here is what to watch for and exactly what to do.
Common household and garden poisons
A surprising number of everyday things are toxic to dogs. The most common culprits I hear about include:
- Foods: chocolate, grapes and raisins, onions and garlic, and anything containing xylitol (a sweetener in sugar-free gum, sweets and some peanut butters)
- Human medicines: painkillers like ibuprofen and paracetamol, and antidepressants
- Rodent poison (rat bait) and slug pellets
- Antifreeze, which tastes sweet and is deadly in tiny amounts
- Plants and bulbs such as lilies, daffodil bulbs, spring bulbs and blue-green algae in ponds
- Cleaning products and garden chemicals
The RSPCA put it well: never watch and wait if you suspect poisoning, act fast and get advice.
Signs and symptoms of poisoning
Symptoms vary depending on what your dog has eaten and how much, and some appear within minutes while others take hours or even days. Common warning signs include:
- Vomiting or diarrhoea, sometimes with blood
- Drooling, or pawing at the mouth
- Loss of appetite, lethargy or weakness
- Wobbliness, tremors, twitching or seizures
- Rapid breathing or a racing heart
- Pale, yellow or very red gums
- Excessive thirst or urination
- Collapse or unconsciousness
Do not wait for symptoms to appear if you know or suspect your dog has eaten something toxic. It is always better to call early.
Act fast: what to do
- Remove your dog from the source and take away anything they are still eating.
- Phone for advice immediately. Call your own vet, or the Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 (a paid 24-hour UK service, staffed by specialists who advise on whether your dog needs to be seen).
- Gather information: what they ate, roughly how much, and when. Keep the packaging, a photo of the plant, or a sample to show the vet.
- Follow the professional advice you are given and get to the vet if they tell you to.
- Stay calm and keep your dog quiet while you sort out the next step.
Worth knowing: The Animal PoisonLine is run by the same experts who advise vets, and one call can tell you whether a trip to the surgery is even needed. It is a paid service, but it can save an unnecessary emergency visit, or tell you to go in fast.
Do not make your dog vomit unless told
It is tempting to try to bring the poison back up, but do not do this unless a vet or the poison line specifically tells you to. Making a dog sick can cause serious harm, especially with:
- Corrosive substances like bleach or descaler, which burn on the way back up
- Petroleum products such as white spirit, which can be inhaled into the lungs
Home remedies like salt water are dangerous in their own right and should never be used. Let the professional guide you, they will decide the safest way to treat your dog.
Frequently asked questions
What are the symptoms of a poisoned dog?
Common dog poison symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, weakness, tremors or seizures, wobbliness, rapid breathing, pale or unusual gum colour, excessive thirst and collapse. Signs can appear within minutes or be delayed for hours or days.
What should I do if my dog eats something poisonous?
Remove them from the source, then phone your vet or the Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 straight away. Keep the packaging or a sample to identify what they ate, and follow the advice you are given.
Should I make my dog vomit if it's been poisoned?
No, not unless a vet or poison line tells you to. Making a dog sick can cause serious harm with corrosive or petroleum-based substances, and home remedies are dangerous. Always get professional advice first.
How quickly do symptoms of poisoning show in dogs?
It depends on the poison. Some cause signs within minutes, while others such as certain rodent poisons and antifreeze can take hours or even days. This is why you should act on suspicion and not wait for symptoms.
This isn't veterinary advice
We're professional dog groomers, not vets, so please treat this as friendly general guidance. If you're worried about your dog, or before acting on anything here, speak to your local vet. In an emergency, contact your vet or nearest out-of-hours clinic.
Fluffs is a professional dog grooming salon in Wigginton, York, offering one-to-one grooming for dogs of every breed and coat type across Haxby, Strensall, Huntington, New Earswick and the surrounding villages. Keeping treats, chemicals and tempting hazards well out of reach is one of the simplest ways to keep a curious dog safe. Get in touch with the Fluffs team.