Signs and Symptoms of Poisoning in Dogs

by Katherine Khoo February 17, 2023 6 min read

Many plants, chemicals, and even human foods are toxic to dogs. Some dogs will eat anything they come across – from grass and toys to rat poison and antifreeze. Teaching your dog not to scavenge can be a lifesaver but we are not always around to monitor our pets. As such, recognising the common signs of poisoning and how to respond in case your dog ate something toxic is important.

Common signs of poisoning in dogs

The symptoms of poisoning will vary depending on the substance and quantity your dog has breathed in or eaten. The following is not a complete list but gives you a general idea of common signs to look for if you suspect your dog has been poisoned.

Diarrhoea

The diarrhoea is often caused by stomach irritation due to the toxin. You may notice blood in the stool (either bright red blood or dark black tarry stools.

Vomiting

This can occur with or without the presence of blood.

Seizures or tremors

During a seizure, your dog may lose all consciousness, convulse, urinate, or defecate involuntarily. Clean up dog seizure urine or poop after your dog has finished their seizure. Use a stain and odour remover like this Kin+Kind Pee+Stain+Odor Destroyer Fabric & Carpet Spray to prevent other pets from re-soiling the same area.

Lethargy and general muscle weakness

This can be due to the general ill effects of the toxin, but it might also be a sign that the toxin is affecting the dog’s muscles, including the heart muscle. With a weakened heart and poor circulation, the dog will suffer from a lack of oxygen and lethargy.

Laboured breathing

Slowed heart function can cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs that leads to breathing difficulty. Poisons that interfere with blood clotting, such as rodenticides, can also result in blood in the chest cavity causing breathing difficulties as well.

Bruising and bleeding

This can be difficult to see on a dog due to their fur, but you may notice small red spots of bruising on the ear flaps, belly, or other areas with less fur covering. In severe cases, you might observe bleeding from the nose, mouth, or blood in their stool, vomit, or urine.

Nausea and excessive drooling

Drooling is a sign of nausea. Your dog drooling excessively. Following excessive drooling, she may begin foaming at the mouth.

Rash, itch, or blister

This typically occurs when a toxin comes into contact with the dog’s skin. You may notice red, irritated skin, blisters, and itching in the affected area.

Kidney failure

In cases of kidney failure, you may notice increased or decreased urination increased drinking, and vomiting. Increased urination may result in accidents in your home and your pup soiling herself. Try to keep her clean with gentle, hypoallergenic pet wipes.

Liver failure

In cases of liver failure, you’ll notice a yellow tinge in the dog’s eyes and gums. Vomiting and diarrhoea may be present too.

Some poisons act immediately, while others can take several hours before any symptoms appear. Some signs will be impossible to notice on your own such as an irregular heartbeat. The ones listed here are some of the more noticeable signs. Look for other signs around the house that may indicate your dog has eaten a toxic substance like missing food items from the kitchen counter, mangled plants, broken or empty bottles, and opened trash bins. In cases of suspected poisoning, do not delay in getting veterinary help. Alert your veterinarian immediately.

What to do in an emergency

If you suspect poisoning, take immediate action. The faster you respond, the better the outlook for your dog. Here are the steps you should take:

Stay calm and remove your dog away from the potentially poisonous substance. If you have other pets or children around, keep them away from the toxic substance to avoid cross-contamination. Put on a pair of gloves or other protective barriers, if necessary.
If your pup ingests the toxic substance, try to rinse, or wipe out your pup’s mouth with a damp towel. Do not induce vomiting unless advised to do so by the veterinarian. Inducing vomiting can result in more harm to your dog depending on what is poisoning them. For example, corrosive household cleaners and other substances can burn the oesophagus on the way back up, which can cause more harm to your pet.
If your pup has chemicals on her skin or in her hair, wash the affected area thoroughly with gentle soap and water. Use a dog collar like this KONG Ez Clear Dog Collar or tie a towel around your dog’s neck to stop her from licking the affected area. After washing, you may use an anti-inflammatory skin spray for dogs like Richard's Organics Incredible Skin Spray for Dogs to provide fast relief and soothe the inflamed skin while waiting for veterinary care to be available.
If your pup has got something in her eyes, irrigate the affected eye with tap water for up to 15 minutes. This is much easier done if you have a second person to help you hold your dog still. Ideally, the eye should be irrigated from the inner corner and washed outwards towards the side of the face. This prevents any chemical from being inadvertently washed into the other eye.
Make a quick note of the situation and your dog’s symptoms.
Contact your veterinarian. It is good practice to have your vet’s number programmed into your phone. If your regular vet is not available, contact the nearest emergency clinic. Ask if you should come in immediately or induce vomiting at home. Follow your veterinarian’s directions completely. If they advise you to come in, go in as soon as possible.
If possible, collect any of the remaining potential poison or the packaging. If your dog has vomited, collect a sample. This can help the vet diagnose and treat your pet.

Common dog poisoning substances to look out for

There are all kinds of substances that can poison your dog. Some are obvious like chemicals or insecticides, but others are safe for people and therefore often assumed to be safe for dogs too. Dogs have different metabolism, and what is safe for us may not be safe for them. Be aware of the following items that can be toxic to our furry friends:

Over-the-counter and prescription medication for humans.
Nutritional supplements for humans.
Over-the-counter or prescription medication for dogs when encountered at higher than prescription doses.
Human foods that are dangerous to dogs like grapes, raisins, chocolates, macadamia, and onions.
Rat poison and insecticides like ant baits or slug pellets.
Household products from bleach and other cleaners to batteries and antifreeze.
Plants that are hazardous to dogs either in the house or out in the garden.
Mouldy dog food. Most dog parents do not suspect their spoilt dog food is a potentially toxic substance. Every year, thousands of dogs are made sick or even killed from eating mouldy dog food. Often, poor food storage plays a role in encouraging mould growth. Store dry dog food in an airtight container like this Stefanplast Premium Air Tight Food Container. Consider buying smaller bags of food instead of a large bag, so there isn’t a large supply of kibble just sitting there for weeks on end.

How to prevent dog poisoning

There are some basic rules we can adhere to prevent our pups from being poisoned. These include:

Keep our dogs away from areas where chemicals and toxins are being used and stored.
Ensure all chemicals are safely contained and locked out of reach of inquisitive paws and noses when not in use. Follow instructions on insecticides and rodenticides carefully.
Do not keep poisonous plants in or around your homes like Dracaena, Golden Pothos (Devil’s Ivy), Dieffenbachia (Leopard Lily), Snake Plant, Lily, and Chrysanthemum.
Label medications and supplements carefully and keep them stored in a safe, secure location that is not within easy rich of your pets.

Many times, dog owners delay seeking treatment for a case of poisoning because they are not familiar with the signs of poisoning. It's better to err on the side of caution and seek help early than to find out it's too late to help. If you ever suspect your dog has come into contact with a poisonous substance, call your vet right away.