PupkeeperToxicEmergency
Dog ate tramadol and other opioid painkillers? Toxic: what to do now
Toxic. Opioid painkillers like tramadol can make dogs very sleepy, wobbly or agitated, and can slow breathing enough to be deadly.
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
Tramadol and other opioid painkillers and dogs: key facts
What should I do if my dog ate tramadol and other opioid painkillers?
- Call your vet or a pet poison line now.
- Get to a vet quickly. Without treatment, opioid poisoning can stop a dog's breathing.
- If your dog chewed a fentanyl pain patch, even a used one, bring it. Used patches still hold a lot of drug.
Don't
- Don't make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to.
- Don't leave used pain patches where your dog can reach them.
Symptoms to watch for
- Heavy sleepiness
- Walking drunk
- Agitation or crying out
- Tremors
- Slow breathing
- Seizures (rare)
- Coma
Why
Opioids are absorbed quickly, and without treatment a dog can die from deep sedation and stopped breathing. Tramadol also acts on serotonin, a brain chemical, so vets watch for serotonin overload.
Sources
- Pet Poison Helpline: Opioids and Opiates
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Toxicoses From Human Analgesics in Animals
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Toxicosis in Animals From Human Topical Agents
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.