Table of Contents
- The Top 10 Toxins of 2024, According to ASPCA
- Signs Your Dog Ate Something Bad
- Dog Ate Something Bad: How Long Before the Signs Appear
- What to Do If Your Dog Ate Something Bad
- How to Prevent Your Dog from Eating Something Bad
- FAQs related to Signs a Dog Ate Something Bad
- Dog Ate Something Bad? Before You Go…
Did you know that in 2024, The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center responded to more than 451,000 calls related to toxic substances?
Many of them happen because a dog ate something bad—often without their owners immediately realizing it!
Dogs will always be curious creatures and get their paws on anything that interests them, whether toxic foods, foreign objects, or harmful substances.
If this sounds like your pup, recognizing the early warning signs can help you save your dog's life!
The Top 10 Toxins of 2024, According to ASPCA
The National Poison Prevention Week is recognized every third week of March.
This month, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals published the most common culprits of dog poisoning that they responded to last year.
| Top 10 Toxins | Most reported causes | Related reading |
|---|---|---|
| 1. OTC Medicines | - Ibuprofen - Acetaminophen - Cold and flu medicines - Vitamins & supplements - Joint rubs | Is Paracetamol Safe for Dogs? |
| 2. Human Food and Drinks | - Protein drinks and bars - Xylitol gums - Grapes - Raisins - Onions and garlic | 10 Human Foods Dogs Should Not Eat |
| 3. Human Prescription Medications | - Antidepressants - ADHD medications | 27 Unsafe Human Medications for Dogs |
| 4. Chocolate | What To Do if Your Dog Eats Chocolate | |
| 5. Veterinary Products | Whole bottle of flavored chewable tablets or soft chews, including calming chews. | |
| 6. Plants and Fungi | Both indoor and outdoor plants | The Ultimate List of Plants, Flowers, & Seeds Toxic to Dogs |
| 7. Rodenticides | What to Do if a Dog Eats Rat Poison | |
| 8. Household Products | - Deoxidizers (packets often found in jerky and soft treats packaging) - Batteries | 6 Cleaning Products That May Be Poisoning Your Dog |
| 9. Insecticides | How Getting Rid of Insects Could Poison Your Dog | |
| 10. Recreational Drugs | - THC - Hallucinogenic mushrooms |
Signs Your Dog Ate Something Bad
If only our dogs can talk.
Unfortunately, they can't tell us they don't feel good, so it's up to us, pet parents, to spot the early warning signs that our dogs ate something bad.
Recognizing these signs means the world between a mild upset stomach and a life-threatening emergency.
Mild Symptoms (Early Warning Signs)
These symptoms might indicate your dog ate something that is upsetting their stomach but may not be immediately life-threatening:
- Vomiting or diarrhea – Common reactions to mild irritants like spoiled food.
- Excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth – A sign of nausea or irritation from toxins.
- Loss of appetite – Your dog may refuse food or water due to stomach discomfort.
- Mild lethargy or restlessness – They might act “off” or seem unusually tired.
- Gagging, coughing, or choking – could indicate a foreign object stuck in the throat.
- Pawing at the mouth or face rubbing – A sign of discomfort, especially if they ate something spicy, toxic, or irritating.
RELATED: Can Dogs Eat Spicy Food?
Severe Symptoms (Signs of Poisoning or Blockage)
If your dog shows any of these severe symptoms, seek veterinary care immediately:
- Repeated vomiting or diarrhea (with blood) – Could indicate poisoning, intestinal damage, or internal bleeding.
- Difficulty breathing – A potential sign of an allergic reaction or airway obstruction.
- Abdominal bloating or pain – A sign of gastrointestinal distress, blockages, or bloat.
- Tremors, seizures, or muscle weakness – Common in cases of poisoning (e.g., chocolate, xylitol, or certain plants).
- Sudden collapse or unconsciousness – A medical emergency requiring immediate vet attention.
- Jaundice (yellow gums or eyes) – Can indicate liver failure, often caused by ingesting toxins like xylitol or certain mushrooms.
Behavioral Changes to Watch For
Not all symptoms are physical—changes in your dog’s behavior can also signal distress:
- Hiding or avoiding interaction – If your normally friendly dog suddenly hides, they may feel unwell.
- Whimpering or excessive vocalization – Dogs often cry or whine when in pain or distress.
- Unusual aggression or confusion – Certain toxins, like antifreeze or rodent poison, can cause neurological changes.
- Excessive licking of the lips or air – A sign of nausea or discomfort in the stomach.
RELATED: Dying Dog Signs: 21 Vital Things To Look Out For
Dog Ate Something Bad: How Long Before the Signs Appear
Unfortunately, there's no specific timeframe for signs appearing after your dog ingested something bad—it can be as fast as 30 minutes or as late as several days.
This largely depends on the toxin that your dog ate.
Poisonous foods like grapes or xylitol can cause rapid reactions, while blockages from swallowed objects may take 12-24 hours to show signs.
Also, it's best not to wait for any signs or symptoms before contacting your veterinarian, especially if you saw what your dog ate.
Note every detail, like what they ate, the size or amount, and when it happened—these details are very important, and we'll discuss them later.
When to Act Fast
If your dog is experiencing any severe symptoms, don’t wait—seek emergency vet care.
The faster you act, the better your dog's chances of recovery.
If they’re choking, carefully remove the object from their mouth and call your vet.
Watch out for persistent vomiting, extreme lethargy, or abdominal pain and swelling—these could indicate an intestinal blockage.
IMPORTANT:
You can save these numbers on your phone or print/write them and post them somewhere you can easily check, along with your veterinarian's contact details.
ASPCA Poison Control Center Hotline: (888) 426-4435
Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661
What to Do If Your Dog Ate Something Bad
Don't panic. I know that's easier said than done, but panicking will only cloud your judgment and likely cause your dog distress.
Step 1: Identify What Your Dog Ate
The first thing to do is to identify what your dog ate.
If you witnessed it yourself, that's good. If not, there should be ways you can try to identify whatever your pup ate.
Check your home for missing food, packaging, chewed-up, or misplaced objects.
They're no smooth criminals, our dogs. They will likely leave a trail wherever they put their paws on.
If possible, try to determine how much they consumed.
If it's a plastic container, how much of the container is missing?
If it's chewed-up packaging, are all the contents missing or just some?
These will be important for the next step.
Step 2: Call Your Vet or Pet Poison Helpline
Immediately contact your dog's veterinarian or these helplines:
- ASPCA Poison Control: (888-426-4435)
- Pet Poison Helpline: (855-764-7661)
Provide your dog's details, such as breed, weight, age, what it ate and how much, and the signs and symptoms you're seeing.
Remember, for certain toxins like xylitol, you will only have minutes to spare before your dog becomes seriously ill—so act fast and call for help!
Step 3: To Induce Vomiting or Not?
In some cases, the veterinarian or even the poison hotline rescuers will instruct you to induce your dog to vomit.
If you have it on hand, they will likely ask you to give your dog a teaspoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide for every 20 lbs. of body weight.
Read the linked article below for more details on how to do this safely.
RELATED: How to Make a Dog Throw Up
However, this is NOT always the case. Some ingested toxins, such as sharp objects or acid cleaners, will do more damage when vomited.
Step 4: Vet Treatment
Once your dog has received first aid, you'll still need to rush him to the vet for further assessment.
If you weren't successful in getting your dog to throw up at home, the vet will do it at the clinic if it is safe and necessary.
They will likely inject your dog with Apomorphine to induce vomiting.
In some cases, activated charcoal will also be administered to help absorb the toxins and prevent them from being absorbed by the body.
However, do not do it yourself at home—activated charcoal can be toxic to dogs when not given properly.
Your dog will also receive IV fluids to prevent dehydration.
If an object is stuck somewhere in the stomach, an endoscopy and/or surgery will likely be done.
Step 5: Monitor for Worsening Symptoms
At this point, your dog should have been attended to by the experts already.
Follow the treatments prescribed by the veterinarian strictly and bring your dog for scheduled follow-up check-ups.
Most importantly, monitor your dog for worsening symptoms, if any.
Watch out for persistent vomiting, lethargy, or difficulty breathing.
Return to the vet hospital immediately if you feel the treatment is not working and your dog is getting worse.
RELATED: 9 Emergency Dog Health Conditions That Cannot Be Delayed
How to Prevent Your Dog from Eating Something Bad
Sure, dogs will always be curious no matter what we do—but at least you can try to minimize the possibility of them getting poisoned because of something they ate.
Dog-proof your home
Always keep toxic foods and medications out of their reach. If your pill bottles are in your purse, store them somewhere your dog can't get his paws on.
If your dog is a smarty-pants, who can open cabinets, put childproof locks on them.
RELATED: 15 Tips on Pet Proofing Your Home in Preparation for a New Dog
Teach the “Leave It” Command
You can teach your dog to ignore dangerous objects or things they shouldn't even go near.
This can save their lives.
RELATED: 16 Commands You Must Teach Your Dog After Adopting
Provide Plenty of Safe Toys or Chews
Dogs, especially young ones, tend to chew a lot. It's in their nature!
The best way to keep them entertained is to provide toys that stimulate them mentally and satisfy their chewing instincts.
Check out our top picks here:
Be Cautious Outdoors
Daily outdoor walks are good for both your and your dog's health unless there are poisonous plants, mushrooms, or even discarded food around!
Read these tips to keep your daily walks safe:
1. Can a dog recover from eating something toxic?
Yes, many dogs recover with quick treatment. The sooner you act, the better their chances.
Mild cases may resolve at home, but serious poisonings require veterinary care.
2. What home remedies can help if my dog eats something bad?
Unfortunately, there are no universal home remedies for dog poisoning or when they eat something they shouldn't.
The best steps are to call your vet, offer water, and monitor symptoms.
3. Are there foods that can help a dog recover after eating something bad?
Yes! Bland diets like boiled chicken and rice can help soothe an upset stomach after food poisoning.
Pumpkins or probiotics can aid digestion but always check with your vet first.
RELATED: Recipe: Chicken and Rice Dog Food for Upset Stomach
Dog Ate Something Bad? Before You Go…
If you're reading this now, even before your dog ate something bad, that means you're being proactive, and that is good.
I'm sure you won't have time to search the internet if it happens.
The bottom line is that, as cliche as it may sound, prevention is always better than cure!
Keep dangerous foods out of reach, train your dog to avoid harmful objects, and act quickly if poisoning occurs.
Has your dog ever eaten something they shouldn't have? Share your experience in the comments section!
We also have several articles discussing in detail what you can do when dogs eat certain things, like these:
