PupkeeperToxicEmergency
Can dogs eat moldy food and garbage? No: toxic
Toxic. Moldy food, garbage and compost can contain mold toxins that cause vomiting, tremors and seizures, sometimes within 30 minutes.
If your dog ate or touched this, call your vet or a pet poison line now
United States
Poison lines in other countries: United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, France, JM, PR, Singapore, Switzerland, TT, VI
Moldy food and garbage and dogs: key facts
- Verdict
- Toxic · Emergency: get help now
- What it can do
- Vomiting, drooling, agitation or restlessness, wobbliness and muscle tremors. All 7
- How fast
- Often within 30 minutes to a few hours
- What to do now
- Call your vet or a pet poison line now. All steps
- Sources
- Pet Poison Helpline, Merck Veterinary Manual, VCA Animal Hospitals. Reviewed 9 October 2026.
What should I do if my dog ate moldy food and garbage?
- Call your vet or a pet poison line now.
- Note what was eaten, roughly how much, and when.
- Go to the vet right away if your dog is trembling or having a seizure.
- Secure trash cans and fence off compost.
Don't
- Don't make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to.
Symptoms to watch for
- Vomiting
- Drooling
- Agitation or restlessness
- Wobbliness
- Muscle tremors
- Seizures
- Fever
When signs appear: Often within 30 minutes to a few hours
Why
Some molds make tremorgenic mycotoxins, toxins that overstimulate the nervous system. In some cases they can also cause fever or liver or kidney injury.
Sources
- Pet Poison Helpline: Moldy Food (Mycotoxins)
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Tremorgenic Neuromycotoxicosis in Dogs
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Summer Toxins to Avoid with Your Pet
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.