Watch Out for these Symptoms of Dog Poisoning

Kimberly Alt Updated: October 20, 2015 Illness 8 Comments

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Dog Poison Symptoms SignIt’s better to learn this now before you think your dog is poisoned. If you see these dog poisoning symptoms you need to act fast. When it comes to life-threatening situations, every minute counts and we all want the same thing, your dog to live! So read this carefully and be prepared in case your dog is suffering.

IF YOU BELIEVE YOUR DOG MAY BE POISONED, STOP READING THIS AND CONTACT YOUR VET NOW!

If you cannot reach your vet, contact the emergency vet or poison control for dogs. You can reach the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-213-6680.

Symptoms of Dog Poisoning

The many different types of dog poisoning have various symptoms. We all know our dogs get into things they aren’t supposed to, so it’s our job to keep harmful objects away from them. Below are the different types of symptoms associated with dog poisoning.

Irregular Heart beats From Dog Poisoning

Dogs with irregular heart rhythms and cardiac symptoms have most likely gotten into a medication or plant. This includes jimson weed, kalanchoe, milkweed, mountain laurel and oleander.

Kidney Failure From Poisoning

Antifreeze poisoning can cause your dog kidney failure and the inability to produce urine. Plants can also cause kidney damage. These types of plants include dieffenbachia, Easter lily, caladium, pigweed and philodendron.

Liver Damage From Dog Poisoning

Medications like acetaminophen and plants such as tansy ragwort or rattlebox can cause liver damage.

Loss of Blood From Dog Poisoning

If your dog has bruising, blood in their stool, nosebleeds or anemia they have most likely gotten into rat or mouse poison. However, if they’ve gotten into your garden or kitchen and eaten too much onion, garlic, sweet clover or bracken fern they could also suffer from anemia and could even die.

Neurological Symptoms From Dog Poisoning

Dogs suffering from seizures and other neurological symptoms have possibly ingested one of many things. This list is long and includes the following: antidepressants, alcohol, aspirin, drain cleaners, dishwasher soap, gasoline, marijuana, flea repellents, tobacco, furniture polish and strychnine. Exposure to, or bites from, poisonous animals can cause dogs to seize as well. These animals include certain breeds of snakes, spiders, toads and frogs. Specifically, you’ll want to look out for Florida marine toads, Coral snakes, Colorado River toads and brown recluse spiders. Plants can cause neurological symptoms as well, this includes buckeyes and horse chestnuts.

Stomach Symptoms From Dog Poisoning

Garbage, lead paint, English ivy, English holly, snake bites, chocolate, medications, poinsettia, iris, Chinaberry, daphne and pokeweed are all dangerous to dogs. Digesting these substances can result in gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, loss of appetite and vomiting.

Signs of Dog Poisoning

Overall, look out for these signs. If your dog is suffering from one of these things you’ll want to get help immediately.

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Seizures
  • Blood in the stool
  • Lethargy
  • Loss of appetite
  • Bruising
  • Nosebleeds
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Inability to urinate

What Foods Are Dangerous to Dogs?

In 2011, dogs eating toxic foods was the #1 cause of dog poisoning. We know it’s impossible to watch your dog 24/7, but if you know there’s something your dog shouldn’t get into you should put it up high in a cupboard, or somewhere else you know they can’t reach. Dogs eating chocolate or grapes is preventable. Be cautious of where you place your food and check out our extensive list of foods dogs should not eat. To learn more about the dangers of dogs eating chocolate, watch this video below.

Tips to Keep in Mind

Program your vet’s phone number into your phone as well as the emergency vet. You should also have it written down in a place you can find easily at home. If you think your dog has poison symptoms don’t hesitate to call. Contact the vet and explain your situation. Ask them for advice on what steps to take next.

If your dog may be experiencing dog poison symptoms, be sure to also read our article on how to treat a poisoned dog. Remember, it’s important that you learn these things now before your dog is in distress, so that you can act quickly and efficiently is trouble arises.

Has your dog every gotten into something they shouldn’t have?

Growing up, Kimberly used to get the sniffles when she was around dogs. Thankfully, she grew out of her allergy and is now able to play and snuggle with dogs as much as she wants! She and her husband adopted Sally, a four-year-old hound mix, in early 2017, and she has brought so much joy into their lives. Life as pet parents has been very rewarding.

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8 Comments on "Watch Out for these Symptoms of Dog Poisoning"

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Lola
My pretty girl Bella (blue eyes) is (was) an All American Pitt. Not what most people think , my pitt baby was very friendly, never knew a stranger. Anyways, my neighbor hated my baby, then one day I noticed she was sick… 5 days total. 1st day she was throwing up, not wanting food, not even her favorite TREATS! Which was really odd…she acted that way for 3 days, then it got worse. 4th day she started to spew rotted smelling blood when she done number one or number two. Now it was a lot worse at number 2. I called the vet but they were all closed except one that was a 2 hr drive which would have been closed when I got there. So I got everything I needed for her ready for the vet first thing the next morning, which was too late. The big dreadful day I was sitting in the living room floor with her in my arms I could hold her head a certain way and she would be able to breath but she would seize out too. I held her for 10 minutes before she took her final but last breath. I need a piece of mind here, what was it?
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November 17, 2016 7:16 am
Kimberly Alt
I’m so sorry for your loss Lola. I’m sure Bella appreciated having you with her during her final hours and having you hold her as she took her last breath. Unfortunately, I cannot say what caused her this illness. Perhaps talking with a vet could help clear some of it up for you. Thank you for sharing your story with us and know that our thoughts are with you.
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November 17, 2016 9:37 am
RAPTURE ANGEL
if you can prove they poisoned your dog you can take legal action against them. try to get them to admit it and record it. and try to find out details like what kind of poison they used and how your dog got it. these jerk need to be stopped.
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April 29, 2017 6:56 pm
Dinorah
It sounds like parvo.. If u missed her yearly vaccination she is highly likely to get that disease. Parvo it’s highly contagious between dogs. Also parvo has a distinctive smell in the blood like u were mentioning.
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January 7, 2018 3:12 am
Lillian Schaeffer
This is some great information, and I appreciate your point that seizures can indicate poisoning in a dog. My dog had a short seizure yesterday, and it’s been a while since he last had one, so I’m not sure what caused it. I’ll definitely keep an eye out, and if he has another one, I’ll be sure to take him to the animal hospital to see what the problem is. Thanks for the great post!
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January 28, 2016 4:53 pm
Karen T.
As I sit here typing, I am watching my little Molly, a Bichon Frise, slowing dying. It’s breaking my heart because I can’t find a vet that will let me make payments for a visit and testing she needs. I am a 66 yr. old disabled senior and money is hard to find. She hasn’t held food down for a week, now nothing stays down, not even water that she was crying for at the onset. Two nights ago, she started vomiting black tarry substance and also her poo looks the same. It’s been almost non-stop vomiting (which is the only thing she stands up for now.) since last night. I’m wondering if she ate something poison on one of our walks. I called her Hoover before she got sick because she would eat any type of food and try to swallow it whole when I tried to get it. I live in a large apartment complex and have heard that animal-haters here have been threatening to poison the animals. Does anyone know how I can get her seen without all the money up front? Any information is appreciated. I rescued her off the streets and she brought me out of a major depression. I have sleep apnea too and she would bark when she noticed I stopped breathing in my sleep to wake me up. I promised her she would never be abused again and now I feel like I am the abuser. All I can do is cry for my baby, Molly. Prayers appreciated too.
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April 15, 2017 5:55 pm
Olivia Pace
Hello Karen, I hope Molly is doing better. Have you tried or contacted Animal Humane Society? If you call them & tell them your situation & Molly’s illness they can help or point you in the right Direction, there are a lot of non-profit organizations that assist with fund’s everywhere even in rural areas. There’s also always Social media you can start a “go fund me” account in which people,s friend’s etc.. donate money to you. On another note I’ve had to rush my dogs to the vets, sometimes emergency vet centers, at the time walking in there I didn’t have a dollar in my pocket however, I was never turned away, I simply explained that I would have to pay them in a week or two when I was paid, and sometimes i would have to tell them I couldn’t pay them the whole amount in one payment.
Hope she recieves the Med. Attention she needs:) sending warm furry hugs & thoughts
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April 20, 2017 9:54 am
Margo
Alot of veterinarian offices offer care credit which is like a credit card you use to pay your vet bills
I hope your sweet baby got better
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May 23, 2017 4:53 pm
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