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Dog ate lighter fluid and torch fuel? Toxic: what to do now

Swallowed lighter fluid or torch fuel can upset a dog's stomach and slow its nervous system, and breathing it in can cause pneumonia.

If your dog ate or touched this, call your vet or a pet poison line now

United States

ASPCA Poison Control+1 (888) 426-443524/7, 365 days a year · A consultation fee may apply · Run by the ASPCA for pet owners and vets.
Pet Poison Helpline+1 (855) 764-766124/7 · A fee applies; their website has the current price · Serves the US, Canada and the Caribbean.

Poison lines in other countries: United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, France, JM, PR, Singapore, Switzerland, TT, VI

United Kingdom

Animal PoisonLine+44 1202 50900024 hours a day · A fee applies; their website has the current price · Run by the Veterinary Poisons Information Service for pet owners; for collapse, fits or breathing trouble, call your vet.

Canada

Pet Poison Helpline+1 (855) 764-766124/7 · A fee applies; their website has the current price · Serves the US, Canada and the Caribbean.

Australia

Animal Poisons Helpline1300 869 73824/7 · From A$79 per consultation; their website has the current price · Staffed by poisons information consultants with emergency vet or pharmacy backgrounds.

New Zealand

NZ Animal Poisons Helpline0800 869 73824/7 · Charges apply · The NZ National Poisons Centre does not advise on animals and refers pet owners here.

Belgium

Centre Antipoisons / Antigifcentrum070 245 245Animal questions: weekdays 8:00 to 16:00; weekends and public holidays 10:00 to 16:00 · Free call · Human poison center that also takes animal questions; human emergencies get priority, so call your vet first.

France

CNITV (Centre National d'Informations Toxicologiques Vétérinaires)+33 4 78 87 10 408:30 am to midnight, every day · Veterinary poison center that answers vets and pet owners; call your own vet first if you can.

JM

Pet Poison Helpline+1 (952) 853-171624/7 · A fee applies; their website has the current price · Serves the US, Canada and the Caribbean. This is the number it gives for other Caribbean islands; it also lists a toll-free number for the Caribbean, +1 (877) 416-7319.

PR

Pet Poison Helpline+1 (877) 416-731924/7 · A fee applies; their website has the current price · Serves the US, Canada and the Caribbean; this is its toll-free number for callers in the Caribbean and the US Virgin Islands.

Singapore

Animal Poisons Helpline+65 3106 421624/7 · Ask about the fee when you call · Australia-based animal poison service; this is the Singapore number listed on its site.

Switzerland

Tox Info Suisse14524/7 · Swiss poison center that also tells owners how risky an animal exposure is; from abroad call +41 44 251 51 51.

TT

Pet Poison Helpline+1 (952) 853-171624/7 · A fee applies; their website has the current price · Serves the US, Canada and the Caribbean. This is the number it gives for other Caribbean islands; it also lists a toll-free number for the Caribbean, +1 (877) 416-7319.

VI

Pet Poison Helpline+1 (877) 416-731924/7 · A fee applies; their website has the current price · Serves the US, Canada and the Caribbean; this is its toll-free number for callers in the Caribbean and the US Virgin Islands.

Find an emergency vet

Lighter fluid and torch fuel and dogs: key facts

Verdict: Toxic · Emergency: get help now
What it can do: Drooling, vomiting, coughing or wheezing, fast breathing and walking drunk. All 7
How fast: Often within a few hours
What to do now: Call your vet or a pet poison line now. All steps
Sources: American College of Veterinary Pharmacists, ASPCA, Merck Veterinary Manual. Reviewed 9 October 2026.

What should I do if my dog ate lighter fluid and torch fuel?

Call your vet or a pet poison line now.
If it's on the skin, bathe your dog with a non-medicated degreasing shampoo or hand dishwashing liquid.
Keep the container and bring it with you.

Don't

Don't make your dog vomit. It can pull the fuel into the lungs.

Symptoms to watch for

Drooling
Vomiting
Coughing or wheezing
Fast breathing
Walking drunk
Low energy
Skin or eye irritation

When signs appear: Often within a few hours

Why

These are liquid fuels. If a dog breathes them into its lungs while swallowing or vomiting, they can cause aspiration pneumonia.

Sources

Guide reviewed 9 October 2026. Page updated 7 November 2026.

General information from the sources above, not a diagnosis. When in doubt, call your vet.