Toxic Household Hazards for Dogs

Most homes contain items that can be toxic to dogs. Dogs are curious by nature and tend to get into things they shouldn’t, and many products that are safe for humans can put dogs at risk. With awareness and appropriate precautions, however, you can avoid disaster and keep your dog safe.

How does a dog become poisoned?

The most common cause of poisoning is the ingestion of a toxin. Other causes include topical exposure and inhalation of toxic fumes or gases. With topical exposures, the skin may absorb the toxin, but the dog can also ingest it when grooming its fur.

What are the signs of poisoning?

Symptoms vary depending on the type and quantity of toxin ingested, as different body systems may be targeted. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. 

• Gastrointestinal signs include drooling, lack of appetite, gagging, vomiting, and diarrhea (potentially with blood).
• Neurological signs include hiding, hyperexcitability, incoordination, tremors, seizures, lethargy, or coma.
• Respiratory signs include coughing, sneezing, panting, difficulty breathing, and pale or bluish gums.
• Skin and oral signs include redness, inflammation, burns, and swelling.
• Liver injury causes signs such as stomach upset, dehydration, jaundice, increased thirst and urination, and weight loss.
• Cardiovascular signs include rapid heart rate, arrhythmias, and high blood pressure. Bleeding disorders can also occur when toxins affect blood clotting.
• Kidney injury causes signs such as stomach upset, halitosis (bad breath), increased thirst and urination, lethargy, poor appetite, and weight loss.
• Anemia may include signs such as yellow or pale gums, lethargy, weakness, and heavy breathing.

Some toxins act on more than one body system and can produce any combination of the above signs. It is important to remember that, while most cases of intoxication cause acute (sudden) problems, chronic, delayed intoxication can also occur.

What types of household products are toxic to dogs?

Many household products can cause poisoning. While not an exhaustive list, here are some of the more common ones.

Human Foods

• Chocolate and Caffeine: Can be toxic to dogs even in small amounts. Symptoms range from gastrointestinal to cardiac to neurological. 
• Grapes, raisins, and currants: Acute kidney injury and failure can result from ingestion of even small amounts. 
• Onions, leeks, and garlic: These are members of the Allium family of plants. They can cause damage to red blood cells, leading to anemia that may be severe.
• Raw bread dough: Can expand in a dog's stomach, causing painful bloating and potential stomach twisting, while the fermenting yeast produces toxic alcohol.
• Macadamia nuts: Can cause weakness, vomiting, and tremors.
• Cooked and raw bones: Can splinter, creating sharp points that can penetrate the gastrointestinal tract. Bowel obstructions can also occur. Raw bones carry the added risk of bacterial contamination.
• Fruit pits and seeds: Apple seeds and pits from cherries, peaches, and plums contain cyanide, which can be toxic if ingested in high quantities.
• Fatty foods: Ingestion of large amounts of fatty food can lead to pancreatitis, a serious illness that can make your dog very sick.
• Xylitol: An artificial sweetener present in many sugar-free or low-sugar gums, candies, and nut butters. It can cause a rapid drop in blood sugar and potential liver failure.
• Compost: Dogs who get into compost can be poisoned by the toxins produced by molds and fungi that are breaking down the food waste. Gastrointestinal symptoms, liver damage, and neurological signs such as tremors and seizures can occur.

Household Chemicals

• Laundry and dish detergents: Pods are especially dangerous, as they are highly concentrated. Depending on the amount and type ingested, exposure can result in oral and stomach irritation or ulcers, gastrointestinal distress, and chemical burns.
• Chlorine bleach and ammonia: If your dog ingests these highly irritating chemicals or inhales the fumes, their lungs and gastrointestinal tract may be damaged, and they may have chemical burns. Respiratory distress can result.
• Paints and varnishes: Gastrointestinal problems and skin irritation are the most common symptoms, but if these substances are inhaled, they can lead to respiratory distress.
• Expanding glues: Ingestion of liquid forms of these glues can cause them to expand in the stomach, leading to a bowel obstruction that requires surgical removal.
• Antifreeze (ethylene glycol): This substance is lethal, even in small amounts. Initial signs are similar to alcohol poisoning, followed by rapid kidney failure. 
• Insecticides and pesticides: These are designed to be lethal to their intended targets. Rat poisons can cause internal bleeding, brain swelling, and blood calcium elevations, while certain insecticides can lead to neurological issues like tremors and seizures. 
• Essential oils: While popular for aromatherapy, oils like tea tree, peppermint, and citrus are toxic via ingestion and skin exposure.
• Batteries: Ingesting alkaline batteries can cause corrosive chemical burns, and intestinal obstructions.

Prescription and Non-Prescription Medications and Supplements

• Over-the-counter pain and fever medications: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen, can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, kidney damage, and neurological signs. High doses of acetaminophen can lead to liver damage and red blood cell damage. 
• Vitamin and mineral supplements: While most vitamins are safe for dogs, there are a few exceptions. For example, high doses of vitamin D can lead to dangerous levels of calcium in the body, which primarily affects the kidneys.
• Prescription medications: Heart and blood pressure medications, antidepressants, ADHD medications, sleep aids, and narcotic pain relievers are among the most common poisons. Symptoms vary depending on the drug ingested.

Household Plants

• Aloe vera, snake plant, Dracaena, and English ivy can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
• Philodendron, Peace lily, Pothos, and Dieffenbachia can cause oral irritation and burning, in addition to gastrointestinal symptoms. 
• Sago palm is an extremely toxic and potentially fatal plant for dogs. Ingestion of small amounts can result in liver failure. 

Other Substances

• Alcohol: Dogs cannot metabolize alcohol in the same way as people. Signs of intoxication include gastrointestinal symptoms, severe lethargy, incoordination, low body temperature, and neurological symptoms.
• Cannabis: The increasing human use of cannabis products containing THC, especially edible versions, has led to increased pet exposures. Symptoms are primarily neurological and can include lethargy or hyperactivity, disorientation, incoordination, and urinary incontinence. In severe cases, respiratory and cardiovascular depression and coma can result.
• Nicotine products including smoking-cessation aids: Cigarettes, vapes, patches, gums, lozenges, and other products containing nicotine are extremely toxic to dogs if ingested. Gastrointestinal symptoms, elevated heart rates, and neurological symptoms can occur, such as hyperactivity, tremors, seizures, and coma. Some oral products such as gum also contain the artificial sweetener xylitol.

My dog has a chemical on their coat. What should I do?

You can bathe the dog or rinse the fur at home to prevent absorption through the skin or ingestion from grooming. It is best to bathe with liquid dish soap and lukewarm water. Remove your dog’s collar or harness, if present, as it may have been contaminated. Avoid using solvents or other cleaning products to strip the fur, as they rarely remove the chemical as thoroughly as liquid dish soap. It is best to use clippers to remove any residue that cannot be washed out. Never attempt to cut your pet’s fur.

I think my dog has been poisoned. What should I do?

Call your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline, a 24/7 animal poison center, at 1-800-213-6680, as soon as you realize your pet was exposed to a toxin. If your dog has ingested a chemical or other irritating substance, rinse their mouth if it is safe.

Decontamination is often the first step. Your veterinarian may induce vomiting and then administer medical grade activated charcoal to minimize absorption of any remaining toxin from the gastrointestinal tract. Inducing vomiting can be hazardous with some toxins (e.g., chemicals that cause irritation and burns, oil-based liquids or solvents, sharp objects such as bone fragments, or expanding products like certain glues and raw bread dough). Your veterinarian will determine if vomiting induction is appropriate.

Supportive therapy may include fluids to help flush the system and manage electrolyte and pH changes in the blood. Medications to treat the pet’s clinical symptoms will be given as needed, such as anti-nauseants, sedatives, and anti-seizure medications. Some toxins have specific antidotes, such as N-acetylcysteine for acetaminophen poisoning and fomepizole for antifreeze.

Blood and urine testing, X-rays, and heart and blood pressure monitoring may be done to determine if there has been any damage to organ systems or other changes. Plan for your pet to be in hospital for as long as needed, sometimes several days, with follow-up treatment and testing often required for certain toxins.

How can I prevent my dog from becoming poisoned?

• It is important to keep all chemicals, medications, and other potentially toxic products in secure, high cabinets out of reach of pets. 
• Do not leave food out and block access to garbage containers. 
• Teach your dog obedience commands such as “leave it” and “drop it” — it can save your dog’s life!

With all poisoning cases, early intervention is key to successful treatment. 

Pet Poison Helpline, an animal poison control center based out of Minneapolis, MN, is available 24/7 for pet owners and veterinary professionals that require assistance treating a potentially poisoned pet. The staff provides treatment advice for poisoning cases of all species, including dogs, cats, birds, small mammals, large animals, and exotic species. As the most cost-effective option for animal poison control care, Pet Poison Helpline’s per-incident fee includes follow-up consultations for the duration of the poison case. Pet Poison Helpline is available in North America by calling 800-213-6680. Additional information can be found online at www.petpoisonhelpline.com.