If you think your dog ate something toxic, don't wait for symptoms. Call poison control immediately.
ASPCA Poison Control: (888) 426-4435
Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661
Time is critical with toxins, some work within minutes (xylitol, certain medications), others take hours to cause visible damage (grapes/raisins, certain mushrooms). Never assume your dog is fine because they seem fine right now.
ASPCA’s List of Poisonous Household Products
ASPCA’s List of Seasonal Toxins
Common toxic foods:
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Grapes and raisins, can cause sudden kidney failure; no safe amount is known
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Xylitol (artificial sweetener in gum, peanut butter, candy, baked goods), causes rapid blood sugar crash and liver failure
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Chocolate, especially dark chocolate and baking chocolate; causes heart arrhythmias, seizures
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Onions, garlic, leeks, chives, destroy red blood cells; toxic even in small amounts
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Macadamia nuts, cause weakness, vomiting, tremors
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Alcohol and yeast dough, rapidly absorbed; causes seizures, respiratory failure
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Avocado, toxic to dogs in larger amounts; causes vomiting and diarrhea
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Coffee, tea, caffeine, causes cardiac arrhythmias and seizures
Common household toxins:
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Human medications, ibuprofen, acetaminophen (Tylenol), antidepressants, sleep aids, ADD medications (the #1 cause of pet poisoning calls to ASPCA)
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Rat and mouse poison (rodenticide), causes internal bleeding; symptoms may not appear for days
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Certain plants, sago palm (extremely toxic, causes liver failure), azaleas, rhododendrons, lilies, oleander, foxglove
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Cleaning products, bleach, disinfectants, laundry pods, drain cleaner
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Antifreeze (ethylene glycol), sweet-tasting, extremely deadly in tiny amounts
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Batteries, pennies (zinc toxicity)
Signs of poisoning:
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Vomiting or diarrhea (may be bloody)
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Drooling excessively
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Tremors or seizures
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Sudden weakness or collapse
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Pale, yellow, or bluish gums
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Difficulty breathing
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Loss of coordination
What to do:
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Call poison control immediately, have the product name, amount eaten, and your dog's weight ready
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Follow their instructions, they will tell you whether to induce vomiting or go to the ER
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Do not induce vomiting unless specifically instructed to, for some toxins (like corrosives or petroleum products), it causes more damage on the way back up
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Bring the packaging or a sample of what your dog ate to the vet