Dog Poison Control: What to Do If Your Dog Ate Something Toxic: At a Glance
Minutes matter with toxins. Know what to do before an emergency happens.
Poison Emergency Protocol
Common Toxin
| Common Toxin | Toxic Dose (Approx) | Symptoms | Immediate Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xylitol (Gum, Peanut Butter) | 0.1g/kg — very small amount | Vomiting, lethargy, seizures, liver failure within 30-60 min | EMERGENCY — go to vet immediately |
| Grapes/Raisins | Individual sensitivity — any amount can be toxic | Vomiting, lethargy, kidney failure in 24-72 hours | Induce vomiting if recent, IV fluids at vet |
| NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, Naproxen) | Varies by drug — even 1 pill can be toxic | Vomiting, GI ulcers, kidney failure | Induce vomiting if recent, activated charcoal, vet care |
| Antifreeze (Ethylene Glycol) | ~1 tbsp for medium dog — extremely toxic | Drunkenness, increased thirst, kidney failure in 36-72 hrs | EMERGENCY — go to vet immediately (antidote available) |
| Rat Poison (Anticoagulant) | Varies by product | Bleeding, bruising, weakness (may take 3-5 days) | Induce vomiting if recent, vitamin K at vet |
Poison Emergency Checklist
| Stay calm — your dog needs you thinking clearly | |
| Identify what they ate, how much, and when — save the package | |
| Call vet or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) immediately | |
| Follow professional instructions — do NOT induce vomiting unless told | |
| Bring the product packaging to the vet | |
| Induce vomiting without veterinary instruction (can cause more harm) | |
| Wait to see if symptoms develop before calling (time is critical) | |
| Give home remedies (milk, oil, salt) — these don't work and can harm |
Pet Poison Helpline: 855-764-7661 ($85 fee). ASPCA Animal Poison Control: 888-426-4435. Save BOTH numbers in your phone NOW. The fee is worth it — they calculate exact toxic doses and tell you and your vet exactly what to do.
Xylitol (birch sugar) is increasingly common in peanut butter, gum, candy, and baked goods. It causes rapid insulin release in dogs, leading to life-threatening hypoglycemia within 30-60 minutes and liver failure within 24-48 hours. ALWAYS check peanut butter labels for xylitol before giving to your dog.
If your dog ate something toxic, the first 10 minutes matter: remove them from the source, do not make them vomit unless a vet or poison control tells you to, and call for guidance immediately with the substance, amount, and your dog's weight ready to report. Neither your vet nor poison control needs you to already know how serious it is; that's what the call is for.
The next 10 minutes matter more than you think
Here's exactly what to do, in order.
petstore.comWhat to do right now
Don't make them vomit on your own
Some poisons do more damage coming back up. Wait for a vet or poison control to tell you it's safe before trying anything at home.
Have this ready when you call
What you do in the first 10 minutes can matter more than the drive to the vet
The instinct to make a dog vomit immediately is understandable, but it's wrong for some poisons and can make others worse. Caustic substances, sharp objects, and some petroleum products cause more damage coming back up than staying down, so inducing vomiting without guidance is a real risk, not just an unnecessary step.
The right first move is getting your dog away from the source and figuring out exactly what they got into.
The information you gather now saves time when it matters
Before you call anyone, try to identify the exact substance (a label, packaging, or plant name helps), roughly how much is missing or eaten, and when it happened.
Your dog's weight changes the math on almost every toxin, since a dose that's mild for a 70-pound dog can be lethal for a 10-pound one. Having this ready when you call means faster answers, not a longer conversation.
ASPCA Poison Control and your vet are built for exactly this call
The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is staffed around the clock and can tell you within minutes whether a specific ingestion is an emergency, a wait-and-watch, or nothing to worry about, based on the substance and your dog's size. Your regular vet or the nearest emergency clinic can do the same and start treatment immediately if needed.
Neither option requires you to already know how serious it is; that's what the call is for.
The ASPCA operates the Animal Poison Control Center as a 24-hour hotline specifically for suspected pet poisonings, staffed to assess a specific substance and amount against a pet's size and species and advise whether at-home monitoring, a vet visit, or emergency treatment is needed. The Merck Veterinary Manual's toxicology guidance notes that inducing vomiting is contraindicated for caustic, corrosive, or sharp-object ingestions and should only be attempted under professional direction, which is why "call before you act" is the standard first step rather than a home remedy.
Not sure if what your dog ate is actually dangerous? Use the Toxicity Checker to look up the specific substance before you call, so you already know what questions to ask.