Common Symptoms of a Poisoned Dog

When a dog gets into something toxic, the hardest part is that symptoms can look like many other illnesses. As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I have seen how quickly some toxins can affect a dog, and how much better outcomes can be when families act fast.

This overview will help you recognize common warning signs of poisoning, understand what to do right away, and know what information your veterinarian will need. If you suspect poisoning, it is always safer to call your vet or a pet poison helpline immediately.

Note: This article is not a substitute for veterinary care. If you are worried your dog was exposed, call a professional right away.

What counts as poisoning?

Poisoning happens when a dog eats, drinks, licks, inhales, or absorbs something that harms the body. That could be a human medication, a household cleaner, a plant, certain foods, pest products, recreational drugs, or even a “normal” dog product used the wrong way.

Some toxins act within minutes. Others take hours to days to show signs, especially if they damage organs like the liver or kidneys.

Common symptoms of poisoning

No single symptom proves poisoning, but certain patterns are common. If your dog has any of the signs below and there is even a chance of exposure, treat it as urgent.

1) Stomach and intestinal signs

• Vomiting (especially repeated, forceful, or with blood)
• Diarrhea (watery, frequent, or with blood)
• Drooling or foaming at the mouth
• Loss of appetite or sudden refusal of favorite food
• Abdominal pain (hunched posture, restlessness, guarding the belly)

2) Neurologic and behavior changes

• Weakness, wobbliness, or acting “drunk”
• Tremors or muscle twitching
• Seizures
• Extreme agitation, pacing, confusion, or unusual vocalizing
• Sudden lethargy or unresponsiveness

3) Breathing and heart-related signs

• Rapid breathing or labored breathing
• Coughing or gagging after exposure to fumes, sprays, or powders
• Pale or blue-tinged gums
• Very fast heart rate or an unusually slow heart rate

4) Mouth, eyes, and skin clues

• Burns or redness around the mouth
• Pawing at the mouth or refusing to swallow
• Sudden eye irritation (squinting, tearing, redness)
• Skin irritation after contact with a chemical, fertilizer, or topical product

5) Urination, thirst, and delayed organ signs

Some poisons do not look dramatic at first. Watch for:

• Increased thirst or urination
• Decreased urination
• Yellow gums or eyes (jaundice) which can point to liver injury
• Unusual breath odor (chemical or unusually foul)

Common toxins and what they can cause

It can help to connect symptoms to possible exposures around the home. This is not a complete list, but it covers frequent culprits seen in clinics.

Human medications

• Ibuprofen, naproxen, acetaminophen: vomiting, black or tarry stool, lethargy, stomach ulcers, organ damage
• ADHD meds, antidepressants: agitation, tremors, high heart rate, overheating, seizures
• Heart and blood pressure meds: weakness, collapse, abnormal heart rate

Foods that can poison dogs

• Xylitol (in some sugar-free products, including some gums, candies, and peanut butters): vomiting, weakness, low blood sugar, seizures, liver injury. Always check the label.
• Chocolate: vomiting, restlessness, rapid heart rate, tremors, seizures
• Grapes and raisins: vomiting, lethargy, kidney failure in some dogs
• Alcohol: wobbliness, low body temperature, slow breathing, collapse

Pest products and rodenticides

• Rat and mouse bait: effects depend on the active ingredient. Some cause internal bleeding (anticoagulants), some cause brain swelling and seizures (bromethalin), and some cause dangerous calcium changes and kidney damage (cholecalciferol).
• Slug and snail bait: tremors, seizures, overheating
• Flea and tick products used incorrectly: drooling, tremors, skin irritation

Household and garage items

• Antifreeze: early signs may be subtle at first, then rapid, severe kidney failure without quick treatment
• Cleaners, detergents, disinfectants: drooling, mouth burns, vomiting, breathing irritation
• Marijuana and THC products: wobbliness, urinary accidents, lethargy, low heart rate, agitation in some cases

What to do right now

If you think your dog may be poisoned, time matters. Here is the safest step-by-step approach.

1) Remove access and secure your dog

• Move your dog away from the substance.
• Remove any remaining material from the mouth only if it is safe to do so. Avoid getting bitten. Wearing gloves can help if you have them.
• If your dog is seizing, keep hands away from the mouth and move objects away to prevent injury.

2) Call for expert help immediately

Contact your veterinarian or your nearest emergency vet clinic right away. You can also call a pet poison helpline. Be ready to share details like product name, active ingredients, how much might have been eaten, and your dog’s weight.

In the U.S., these are commonly used resources (verify numbers before publication):

• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435 (consult fee may apply)
• Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661 (consult fee may apply)

If you are outside the U.S., contact your local emergency vet clinic or a regional animal poison service.

3) Do not induce vomiting unless told to

This is so important. Vomiting can be dangerous with caustic chemicals (like cleaners), petroleum products, or if your dog is lethargic or having neurologic signs. The safest move is to call first.

4) Do not give home “antidotes”

Do not give milk, oil, salt, activated charcoal, or human medications unless a veterinarian or poison expert tells you to. Some of these can make things worse or delay real treatment.

5) Save evidence and bring it with you

• Bring the packaging or bottle (even if it is empty).
• If there is vomit, a sample can sometimes help.
• Take a photo of plants or mushrooms if you do not know the name.

6) For skin or eye exposure

If a product is on the fur or skin, keep your dog from licking and call right away. If a poison expert or vet advises rinsing, use lukewarm water (or sterile saline for eyes) and follow their timing guidance.

When to go to the ER now

Go to an emergency vet clinic right away if you see any of the following:

• Seizures, tremors, collapse, or severe weakness
• Difficulty breathing, open-mouth breathing at rest, or blue or pale gums
• Repeated vomiting or vomiting blood
• Bloody diarrhea or black, tarry stool
• Known exposure to rodent bait, antifreeze, xylitol, or a large medication ingestion
• A toxin exposure in a puppy, senior dog, or a dog with chronic disease

Also, do not wait for symptoms if you know your dog got into a high-risk toxin. Some of the most dangerous exposures can look mild at first.

What your vet may do

Treatment depends on the toxin, the dose, and how long ago exposure happened. In clinic, your veterinary team may recommend:

• Decontamination: inducing vomiting (when appropriate), activated charcoal, bathing the skin or flushing eyes
• IV fluids: to support blood pressure and protect kidneys
• Bloodwork and urinalysis: to check organ function and clotting
• Antidotes: for certain toxins (for example, some rodenticides)
• Medications: to control seizures, nausea, pain, heart rate, or stomach ulcer risk
• Hospital monitoring: especially for neurologic signs, severe GI upset, or organ risk

One reassuring note: even when a dog looks “fine,” early treatment can prevent serious damage. That is why calling quickly is so valuable.

At-home care after a poison scare

Follow your veterinarian’s instructions closely. At home, supportive care often includes:

• Strict rest and supervision, especially after neurologic episodes
• Fresh water access, unless your vet restricts it for a specific reason
• Bland diet only if your vet recommends it and only for the time advised
• Medication schedule with alarms so doses are not missed
• Monitoring: appetite, energy, gum color, vomiting or diarrhea, urination, and stool color

If symptoms return, worsen, or new symptoms appear, call your vet right away. Some toxins can have delayed effects.

Prevention tips that work

Most poisonings are accidental and preventable. Here are a few habits I wish every family had in place:

• Keep medications in closed cabinets, not on nightstands or counters.
• Store xylitol products, gum, and candy like you would store rat bait: locked away. Check labels on “sugar-free” items.
• Use dog-safe pest control and follow label directions exactly.
• Clean spills immediately, especially antifreeze and cleaning products.
• Know your plants. Many “pretty” houseplants can be unsafe.
• Teach a reliable “leave it” cue and practice it often.

Quick fridge checklist

• Dog’s weight (updated monthly)
• Your vet’s number and nearest emergency vet clinic address
• ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435
• Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661
• A habit of saving packaging when an exposure happens

If you are deciding whether to call, call. It is always okay to be “not sure.” Poison questions are exactly what veterinary teams and poison specialists are there for.

Sources

• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: toxicology resources and exposure guidance
• Pet Poison Helpline: toxin database and triage recommendations
• Merck Veterinary Manual: toxicology and clinical signs of common poisonings
• FDA: pet food and product safety alerts (including harmful ingredients and recalls)