Household poisons for dogs
Substances at home, in the yard and in the street that can poison a dog. The most dangerous come first.
This lists substances a pet can meet at home, in the yard or in the street. It is not a complete list: if your pet ate or licked anything that is not food, contact a vet.
Ate or licked it? Contact a vet now
Call a veterinary clinic straight away, day or night, even if your pet seems well: signs can take hours or even days to appear.
Say what was eaten or licked and when, and take the packaging with you.
Dangerous
DangerousIf eaten, licked or even touched, contact a vet straight away, even if your pet seems well.
- Antifreeze Yes, antifreeze is very dangerous to dogs: its sweet taste tempts them, and it damages the kidneys, so contact a vet straight away. Dangerous
- Cigarettes and nicotine Yes, nicotine is very dangerous to dogs: it quickly causes vomiting, tremors or seizures, so contact a vet straight away. Dangerous
- Ibuprofen Yes, ibuprofen is very dangerous to dogs: it can damage the stomach and kidneys, so if your dog swallowed some, contact a vet straight away. Dangerous
- Paracetamol Yes, paracetamol is very dangerous to dogs: it can damage the liver and the blood, so if your dog swallowed some, contact a vet straight away. Dangerous
- Rat poison Yes, rat and mouse poison is very dangerous to dogs, and signs may only appear days later, so contact a vet straight away. Dangerous
- Slug pellets Yes, slug pellets are very dangerous to dogs: they can cause tremors and seizures, so contact a vet straight away. Dangerous
Poisonous
Not safeDo not let your pet chew or lick them; if signs appear, contact a vet.
- De-icing salt Yes, de-icing salt harms dogs: it irritates the paw pads and, once licked off, the stomach; if your dog vomits or staggers, contact a vet. Not safe
- Essential oils Yes, essential oils can be poisonous to dogs: do not put them on your dog or let it lick them; if it vomits or staggers, contact a vet. Not safe
More about health
The sweetener xylitol, found in sugar-free chewing gum and sweets, is very dangerous to dogs too. About xylitol
This is general information, not a consultation with a vet. Every animal is different: if your pet is unwell or you are unsure, ask your vet.