Why it is dangerous to dogs
Nicotine is found in cigarettes, cigarette ends, cigars, chewing tobacco, e-cigarette liquid, nicotine gum and patches. A dog can eat a cigarette end on the pavement or from an ashtray, or chew a pack or an e-cigarette pod left lying around.
Nicotine is absorbed quickly and acts on the nervous system and the heart. Signs can start soon: the dog drools, vomits, becomes restless, its muscles tremble, its heart races, and later it can become weak and collapse. The amount that causes harm differs from dog to dog and cannot be judged at home.
If your dog may have eaten tobacco or anything containing nicotine, contact a vet or an emergency clinic straight away, even if it seems well. Tell them what was eaten and when, and take the packaging with you.
What to watch out for
- Drooling and vomiting can follow.
- The dog can become restless, and its muscles can tremble.
- Seizures can develop.
- Later the dog can become weak and collapse.
- Some nicotine gums also contain xylitol, which is very dangerous to dogs too.
The forms it comes in
The same substance can turn up in different places.
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Cigarette ends
DangerousNicotine stays in them, so a cigarette end found on the pavement is dangerous too.
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E-cigarette liquid
DangerousThe nicotine in it is highly concentrated, and a dog easily bites through a pod.
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Nicotine gum and patches
DangerousUsed patches are dangerous too, and some gums also contain xylitol.
What it can cause
Signs that can appear after eating it. Each page explains what to look out for and when to hurry to a vet.