As owners we all spend a lot of time worrying about our pets, whether that be how much exercise they are doing, if they are showing any signs of illness, or what they are eating that maybe they shouldn’t be! Unknown to a lot of people, there are a host of potentially toxic household items that can be frequently found at home with our pets. Some of these are more important to know than others, and if you have any of these at home it may be worth either making sure they are stored well out of your pet’s reach, or even removing them from your home completely!
Below I will run through some of the toxins that have the potential to be toxic to dogs, the possible signs you can see if your dog has been exposed to them, and what you should do next. All of these are dependent on the scale of exposure, for example how much your dog has eaten of a certain substance, and the amount of time that has passed since exposure, however if you are at all worried about your dog then you should contact your local veterinarian as soon as you can.
- Antifreeze (Ethylene glycol)
- Anti-inflammatories (e.g. Ibuprofen, Naproxen, and Aspirin)
- Chocolate
- Grapes and raisins
- Nicotine
- Onions (also leeks, garlic and spring onions)
- Paracetamol (Acetaminophen)
- Prescription medications
- Rodenticides (rodent poison)
- Alphachloralose
- Anticoagulant rodenticides (e.g. Brodifacoum, Difenacoum, and Warfarin)
- Slug pellets (Metaldehyde)
- Vitamin D containing products (vitamin supplements, psoriasis creams, etc)
- Xylitol
Antifreeze (Ethylene glycol)
Ethylene glycol is a compound usually found in car screen-washes to prevent it freezing, and is usually brightly coloured and sweet tasting, however when it is processed in the kidneys it forms toxic breakdown products which can cause severe kidney injury. Most commonly this is ingested by licking it up off of the roads after cars have been filled up, and can also be licked off of paws in smaller amounts. If you have any suspicion that your pet has ingested ethylene glycol, it is urgent that you take them to your local veterinarian, as this can cause irreversible damage to the kidneys that may be fatal for your pet.
Clinical signs associated with ethylene glycol ingestion occurs in stages, initially (up to 12 hours after ingestion) your pet may show vomiting, appear to be drunk, become weak, or start convulsing. After 12-24 hours your pet may have an increased breathing and heart rate, but can also fall into a coma or have further convulsions at this point, and after 24 hours your pet is likely to suffer severe kidney damage and go into kidney failure, and may be showing signs of abdominal pain, an increase in drinking, and either an increase in urination or none at all.
If your pet is seen soon after ingestion then your local veterinarian will try and remove as much ethylene glycol from your pet’s system, start supportive treatment to reduce the likelihood of damage to the kidneys and manage any convulsions, however if kidney damage has already started then the prognosis is poor.
Anti-inflammatories (e.g. Ibuprofen, Naproxen, and Aspirin)
These medications are frequently used as pain killers and anti-inflammatories for humans, however dogs and cats are extremely sensitive to these medications and ingestion of them can result in damage to the stomach and kidneys. These should always be stored in places that your pet cannot get to, as the resulting kidney damage can be life-threatening.
The damaging effects begin within two hours of ingesting these medications, usually starting with vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain or discomfort, and restlessness, before progressing to vomiting with fresh or digested blood (which looks like coffee grounds), diarrhoea, ulceration of the stomach and damage to the kidneys.
Due to the possibility of significant damage to a number of organs, if you have any suspicion of your pet ingesting any of these medications, or similar medications, then you should contact your local veterinarian and have your pet seen. Initially they will try and empty your pet’s stomach, then provide treatments that will support your pet and try to prevent the damaging effects to the stomach and kidneys.
Chocolate
The ingredient in chocolate which is toxic to dogs is a chemical called theobromine – it is toxic to dogs because they are very sensitive to the effects it has on the brain and muscles. Theobromine is found in much higher concentrations in dark chocolate, or cocoa products (cocoa beans or cocoa powder), and as such these are the most toxic products for dogs.
Usually within 4 hours of eating a toxic dose of chocolate, your dog will begin to show signs of toxicity, and this will include vomiting, excitability, a high heart rate, and possibly walking as though they are drunk (commonly termed ataxia – as though they don’t know where their legs are). These signs can progress further into having rigid muscles, tremors, seizures, rapid breathing and an irregular heart rhythm.
The signs of toxicity seen are usually proportional to the amount of chocolate (and therefore theobromine) ingested, there are some calculators which will allow you to work out how toxic the amount your dog has eaten is likely to be, such as the Vets Now calculator, however if you are concerned or are seeing obvious clinical signs then you should take your dog to your local veterinarian immediately.
Grapes and raisins
For a long time we have known that grapes and raisins are toxic to dogs, as ingesting them often leads to severe injury to the kidneys, however, it was not until recently that the main suspects of tartaric acid and potassium bitartrate, two chemicals found in grapes and raisins, were identified. It is suspected that these are the cause of the toxicity. This now explains why some dogs are more severely affected than others by this kind of toxicity, because these chemicals occur in different amounts based on the type of grape and where they were grown.
These chemicals can quickly cause damage to the kidneys which can be life threatening if left untreated, and the main clinical signs associated with this toxicity is vomiting (including vomiting fresh or digested blood), diarrhoea, bloody stools, weakness, lethargy, and sometimes a reduction in urine production.
If your pet has eaten grapes or raisins, then it is important to take them to your local veterinarian as soon as possible so that their stomach can be emptied to reduce absorption of the toxin. Depending on how soon after this happens, your local veterinarian may also recommend keeping them in on fluids to protect the kidneys and flush out any of the remaining toxin.
Nicotine
Well known as the addictive ingredient in tobacco, nicotine can have toxic effects on our pets as well by acting on the neurological system.
After ingestion of a product containing nicotine, your pet may show signs of vomiting, production of lots of saliva, seeming drunk when walking around, a high heart and breathing rate, followed by a slow heart and breathing rate. If a large amount has been ingested, you may see convulsions or your pet fall into a coma.
Signs usually occur within 15-90 minutes, so if your pet has ingested a nicotine containing product, you should take them your local veterinarian immediately so that they can empty your pets stomach and provide supportive treatment.
Onions (also leeks, garlic and spring onions)
Also know as the Allium family, these plants cause changes within red blood cells which can lead to the red blood cells working ineffectively or breaking down, they can also cause vomiting and diarrhoea over the course of a few days. In cases of large exposure you may see your animal become jaundiced (where the whites of the eyes and gums will appear slightly yellow in colour). Treatment usually consists of emptying the stomach and giving activated charcoal to bind the toxins, and depending on the degree of clinical signs your local veterinarian may want to monitor your pet’s red blood cell count.
Paracetamol (Acetaminophen)
Paracetamol is a pain relief medication used very frequently in humans, and can be very commonly found in households. Dogs are more resistant to the toxic effects of paracetamol than cats are, and are sometimes treated with paracetamol as a pain relief, however at higher doses it can also be toxic just like with people.
The main clinical signs associated with paracetamol toxicity in dogs are related to the liver damage one of the break-down products causes, and also the damaging effects this break-down product causes to the red blood cells. The most common clinical signs include vomiting, depression, brown gums, a high heart rate and breathing rate, and sometimes difficulty breathing.
It is critical that you take your pet to your local veterinarian as soon as you suspect they have eaten paracetamol, there is an antidote that can be used to help reduce the damage it causes, as well as supportive treatment to help them through the side effects.
Prescription medications
At home we often have a variety of medications for our own health conditions, however if our pets accidentally gain access to these then that can cause an issue. Whilst not all medications will be harmful to our pets, it is definitely not worth taking the risk if you suspect they have eaten some of them, as we can see based on some of the other toxins on this list, so taking the details of the medications and how many you think your pet has ingested to your local veterinarian is highly recommended. They will most likely need to contact a poisons helpline to work out what the main risks of the medication are for your pet, and if any specific treatments are necessary for your pet.
Rodenticides (rodent poison)
There are two main types of rodent poison that are available in preparations to be used at home, and unfortunately they are made in preparations that dogs are often very keen to eat. Thankfully they are usually bright colours and so it is easy to notice if your dog has eaten them, and if you have any suspicion that they could have been exposed, for example if they have found some in the garage or shed, then you should take them to your local veterinarians immediately.
Alphachloralose
Alphachloralose can be very harmful to your dog, as it interacts with the neurological system (mainly the brain), and can cause life threatening clinical signs.
The signs of onset are usually 1-2 hours after exposure, initially you may see hyperactivity or your dog walking as though they are drunk (commonly termed ataxia – as though they don’t know where their legs are), followed by producing lots of saliva, becoming drowsy or weak, shallow breathing, and in severe cases falling into a coma or having convulsions.
As these clinical signs are so severe, you should take your dog to your local veterinarian immediately if you suspect them to have eaten any type of poison, and it is very useful if you bring information about the poison (for example the box it came in or a label) when you bring them in. Your local veterinarian will focus on removing the poison from your pet’s system as soon as possible, in addition to trying to control the consequences of the poison (e.g. giving medications to manage convulsions, and cooling or warming your pet as appropriate).
Anticoagulant rodenticides (e.g. Brodifacoum, Difenacoum, and Warfarin)
Anticoagulant rodent poisons can also be very harmful to your pet, and it works by preventing the normal blood clotting pathways from working. This can lead to your pet spontaneously bleeding internally and can quickly become life-threatening so again, if you have any suspicion of your pet eating one of these then you should bring them to your local veterinarian immediately.
The signs that your pet is suffering from eating this type of poison may not become evident for 5-7 days after ingestion, and the main signs they will present with include lethargy, becoming tired very quickly compared with normal when exercising, difficulty breathing, pale gums, and signs of bleeding (this can include nose bleeds and large bruises appearing under the skin).
Similarly to the alphachloralose poisons, if recently ingested your veterinarian will focus on removing as much of the poison from your pet’s system first, and will then try to prevent as much bleeding as possible, in some cases blood transfusions may be necessary to help your pet survive this type of poisoning.
Slug pellets (Metaldehyde)
Metaldehyde is a common ingredient in slug pellets that you might sprinkle on your garden to prevent your plants being eaten but unwanted visitors, and in cats and dogs it is thought to work in the brain, leading to severe side effects in a short amount of time (often within 30 minutes).
The common effects of ingestion of metaldehyde include exaggerated movements, muscle spasms or rigidity, tremors and twitching, convulsions, and difficulty breathing.
Because the clinical signs are so extreme and occur very shortly after ingestion, it is vital that you get your pet to your local veterinarian as soon as possible, as they made need to administer medications to control the muscle spasms and convulsions to prevent your pet from injuring themselves and overheating.
Vitamin D containing products (vitamin supplements, psoriasis creams, etc)
Many vitamin supplements and human medications contain vitamin D, and whilst animals do also require vitamin D, it is very easy for them to overdose on it. An overdose of vitamin D leads to excess calcium being present in the blood which can result in damage to the kidneys, mineralisation of tissues, and alterations to muscle function (including the heart).
The clinical signs associated with an overdose of vitamin D include increased thirst and urination, weakness, lethargy, profuse vomiting and diarrhoea, and signs associated with the muscle, including muscle spasms, twitching, arching of the back, and convulsions.
Due to the risk to the kidneys and heart function, it is critical that you get your pet seen as soon as you suspect they have ingested anything containing a large amount of vitamin D, as they will require urgent and aggressive treatment to prevent the damaging effects that high calcium in the blood can cause.
Xylitol
Xylitol is an artificial sweetener found in a variety of confectionary and medications, with the most frequent toxicity in dogs being seen after the ingestion of chewing gum or sweets. Xylitol is toxic because it causes the release of a large amount of insulin which leads to a rapid drop in blood sugar levels, and can also damage the liver.
Clinical signs can be seen within 2 hours, and are initially related to low blood sugar. These include vomiting, walking as though they are drunk (commonly termed ataxia – as though they don’t know where their legs are), drowsiness, and in extreme cases collapse, convulsions, or falling into a coma. The longer term effects of xylitol toxicity may take a while to become evident, and are related to liver damage. Damage to the liver can cause vague clinical signs such as vomiting, diarrhoea, and lethargy, but more specifically can cause jaundice (where your dog’s gums and white’s of the eyes will appear slightly yellow), and also clotting issues (which may appear as bruising under the skin, nosebleeds, pale gums and lethargy).
Due to the rapid drop in blood sugar levels with the release of insulin, it is vital that you get your pet seen as soon as possible so that the low blood sugar levels can be managed, and so that the xylitol can be removed from your pet’s system, in addition to other supportive treatment measures. Your local veterinarian may also recommend monitoring bloods after the initial toxicity to assess for indicators of liver damage.
Conclusion
This is by no means an exhaustive list, however these cover the most dangerous toxins likely to be found at home. If you are suspicious of something else your cat has eaten, there are various resources that you can use to check if your cat needs to be seen, however a quick call to your local veterinarian is another good way to check if you should be concerned.
Other resources you can look at include:
The Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) is an organisation that provides support for both owners and veterinarians regarding the poisons and toxins that animals may be exposed to, and they offer free information online but you can also call them for further information.
The ASPCA also offers a poison helpline service and their website includes a huge amount of helpful information for pet owners about a variety of topics.