PupkeeperHousehold poisons and dogs
59 of the 72 household products and human medicines in the Pupkeeper guide are toxic to dogs. Emergencies include rat and mouse poison, antifreeze, drain cleaners, batteries, and laundry pods, and medicines such as ibuprofen, naproxen, acetaminophen (paracetamol) and antidepressants. Each entry says what to do now, the symptoms to watch for and its sources.
If your dog ate or touched one of these, 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
Home and garden products 29
- Antifreeze (Ethylene Glycol)ToxicAntifreeze tastes sweet, and a tiny amount can kill a dog.
- BatteriesToxicChewed or swallowed batteries can burn a dog's mouth and gut. A button battery stuck in the food pipe can burn through it.
- BleachToxicHousehold bleach usually causes mild vomiting and drooling, but concentrated bleach can burn the gut, and strong fumes can harm the lungs.
- Bug Sprays and Foggers (Pyrethrins, Pyrethroids)ToxicPyrethrin and pyrethroid bug sprays usually cause drooling and mild tremors in dogs, but large or concentrated amounts can cause seizures.
- Dog Flea and Tick Products Used WronglyCautionToo much dog flea product, or a dog licking or eating it, can cause drooling, vomiting, twitching and, rarely, seizures.
- Drain CleanersToxicDrain cleaners are strong acids or alkalis that can badly burn a dog's mouth, throat, stomach, skin and eyes.
- Dryer Sheets and Fabric SoftenerToxicDryer sheets and fabric softeners contain cationic detergents that can cause mouth sores, drooling and vomiting in dogs.
- Essential Oils (Including Tea Tree Oil)ToxicConcentrated essential oils like tea tree oil can poison dogs through the skin or mouth, causing drooling, wobbliness, tremors and liver damage.
- Expanding Glue (Polyurethane)ToxicSwallowed expanding glue foams up in a dog's stomach into a hard mass that almost always needs surgery to remove.
- Hand Warmers and Oxygen Absorbers (Iron)ToxicSome hand warmers and food oxygen-absorber packets contain iron, which can cause vomiting, bloody diarrhea, shock and liver damage in dogs.
- Homemade Play Dough and Salt DoughToxicHomemade play dough and salt dough ornaments are full of salt and can cause deadly salt poisoning in dogs.
- Laundry and Dishwasher PodsToxicBiting a detergent pod can cause heavy vomiting and drooling, and detergent breathed into the lungs can cause severe pneumonia.
- Lead (Old Paint, Fishing Weights)ToxicSwallowing lead from old paint chips, fishing sinkers or curtain weights can cause stomach upset, seizures and blindness in dogs.
- Lighter Fluid and Torch FuelToxicSwallowed lighter fluid or torch fuel can upset a dog's stomach and slow its nervous system, and breathing it in can cause pneumonia.
- Liquid PotpourriToxicLiquid potpourri can cause chemical burns to a dog's lips, tongue, gums and throat, and breathing trouble that may start hours later.
- MothballsToxicMothballs poison dogs. Old-style naphthalene mothballs are worse than newer PDB ones, and signs can be delayed for days.
- Organophosphate and Carbamate InsecticidesToxicOrganophosphate and carbamate insecticides overstimulate a dog's nerves, causing drooling, tiny pupils, vomiting, trembling, breathing trouble and seizures.
- Paint and VarnishCautionWater-based paint usually causes only stomach upset, but oil-based paint and varnish can harm the lungs, and old lead paint is the biggest danger.
- Paint Thinner, Turpentine and SolventsToxicPaint thinner, turpentine and fuels irritate a dog's mouth and skin, and if breathed into the lungs while swallowing or vomiting they cause pneumonia.
- Pennies, Coins and Zinc MetalToxicSwallowed pennies and other zinc metal can poison dogs by destroying red blood cells. US pennies made after 1982 have a zinc core.
- Rat and Mouse PoisonToxicAll rat and mouse poisons can be deadly to dogs.
- Rat Poison: Anticoagulant TypeToxicAnticoagulant rat poisons stop a dog's blood from clotting.
- Rat Poison: Bromethalin TypeToxicBromethalin rat poison makes a dog's brain swell, causing tremors and seizures or slowly worsening paralysis.
- Rat Poison: Vitamin D3 Type (Cholecalciferol)ToxicVitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) rat baits are very concentrated. A small amount can raise a dog's calcium and damage the kidneys.
- Rat, Mole and Gopher Bait: Phosphide TypeToxicZinc phosphide baits release a poisonous gas in a dog's stomach, causing vomiting, bloating and collapse.
- Silica Gel PacketsCautionSilica gel packets are not really poisonous, but they can upset a dog's stomach, and a large packet could cause a blockage.
- Toilet Bowl CleanersToxicToilet bowl cleaners can be strong acids or alkalis that burn a dog's mouth and throat.
- Weed Killers (Herbicides)CautionMost weed killers cause only stomach upset if a dog gets into them, but some, like paraquat, can cause severe organ damage.
- Windshield Washer Fluid (Methanol)ToxicWindshield washer fluid contains methanol, which makes dogs act drunk, and some products also contain antifreeze, which can be fatal.
Human medicines and supplements 43
- 5-HTP SupplementsToxic5-HTP mood and sleep supplements can cause serotonin syndrome in dogs, with tremors, seizures, high temperature and even short-term blindness.
- ACE InhibitorsCautionACE inhibitor overdoses are usually low risk for dogs but can cause low blood pressure, weakness and vomiting, more so in dogs with heart or kidney disease.
- Acetaminophen (Paracetamol)ToxicAcetaminophen (paracetamol) can damage a dog's liver and red blood cells. Large amounts can be deadly.
- ADHD MedicinesToxicADHD stimulant pills can overstimulate a dog's brain and heart, causing agitation, high body temperature, tremors and seizures, even in small amounts.
- Antacids and Acid ReducersCautionCaution. Extra antacids, or acid reducers like famotidine or omeprazole, usually cause only mild stomach upset in dogs.
- AntidepressantsToxicAntidepressant pills can make dogs drowsy or dangerously overstimulated, with tremors, fever and seizures.
- Antihistamines (Diphenhydramine)CautionCaution. Antihistamines like diphenhydramine are safe only at a dose your vet sets; too much can cause sleepiness or agitation, drooling and a racing heart.
- AspirinToxicToo much aspirin can cause severe poisoning in dogs, with stomach ulcers, fever, fast breathing, kidney damage and seizures.
- Asthma Inhalers (Albuterol)ToxicA chewed asthma inhaler releases many doses at once, causing a racing heart, dangerous drops in potassium, collapse and possibly death.
- Baclofen and Other Muscle RelaxantsToxicBaclofen is very dangerous for dogs.
- Birth Control PillsCautionMost birth control pills are low risk for dogs and may only cause mild stomach upset, but large amounts of estrogen can harm bone marrow.
- Bismuth Subsalicylate (Upset Stomach Medicine)ToxicToxic. Bismuth subsalicylate, a common upset-stomach medicine, is a salicylate like aspirin.
- Caffeine Pills and Energy SupplementsToxicCaffeine pills, diet pills and energy products overstimulate dogs, causing a racing heart, restlessness and pacing.
- Camphor Balms and RubsToxicToxic. Camphor balms and chest or muscle rubs can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and seizures in larger amounts.
- Cannabis and THC ProductsToxicTHC from cannabis makes dogs wobbly, sleepy or jumpy and can cause leaking urine. Concentrated edibles can be more serious.
- CBD Oil and TreatsCautionA CBD overdose usually causes only mild stomach upset in dogs, but some products are mislabeled or contain THC.
- Cough and Cold MedicinesToxicCough and cold medicines mix several drugs that can poison dogs, and some contain xylitol, which is very toxic to dogs.
- Decongestant Nose Sprays and Eye DropsToxicChewed decongestant nose sprays and redness-relief eye drops can slow a dog's heart and upset its blood pressure within hours.
- Decongestants (Pseudoephedrine, Phenylephrine)ToxicDecongestants like pseudoephedrine can overstimulate dogs, causing agitation, a racing heart, high blood pressure, tremors and high temperature.
- Dog Pain Pill Overdose (Carprofen)ToxicDogs may eat a whole bottle of flavored chewable pain pills.
- Flea and Tick Chewables OverdoseCautionEating extra flea and tick chews can upset a dog's stomach, and this drug group can cause tremors, wobbliness or seizures in some dogs.
- Gabapentin and PregabalinToxicToxic. Too much gabapentin makes dogs sleepy and wobbly, and some human liquid forms contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.
- Heart and Blood Pressure PillsToxicBeta-blockers and calcium channel blockers can drop a dog's heart rate and blood pressure to life-threatening levels, even after a small overdose.
- IbuprofenToxicIbuprofen is poisonous to dogs. It can cause stomach ulcers and bleeding, kidney damage and, at high doses, seizures or coma.
- Iron SupplementsToxicIron overdoses irritate a dog's stomach and gut and can lead to bloody vomiting, shock and liver failure.
- Ivermectin and Livestock DewormersToxicToxic in overdose. Ivermectin, often from horse or cattle dewormer, can cause wobbliness, blindness and coma; collies and other MDR1 dogs are most at risk.
- Loperamide (Diarrhea Pills)ToxicToxic. Loperamide (Imodium) can make dogs very sleepy, wobbly and drooly, and collies, shelties and other MDR1 dogs can be poisoned by a normal dose.
- Medicated Oils and Pain Patches (Methyl Salicylate)ToxicToxic. Medicated oils and pain patches often contain methyl salicylate, an aspirin-like drug, plus menthol; licking or chewing them can poison dogs.
- Melatonin (Sleep Gummies and Tablets)CautionCaution. Melatonin usually causes only mild sleepiness or vomiting, but some products, including gummies, may contain xylitol, which can be deadly.
- Minoxidil (Hair Regrowth Products)ToxicMinoxidil hair-regrowth products can cause dangerously low blood pressure, heart rhythm problems and fluid in the lungs in dogs.
- NaproxenToxicNaproxen is very poisonous to dogs. It can cause severe stomach ulcers, bleeding in the gut and sudden kidney failure.
- Nicotine (Vapes, Gum, Patches, Cigarettes)ToxicNicotine is a fast-acting poison for dogs.
- Non-Drowsy Allergy Pills (Cetirizine, Loratadine)CautionCaution. An overdose of non-drowsy allergy pills is usually low risk for dogs, but pills that also contain a decongestant can be dangerous.
- NSAID Pain Pills (Mefenamic Acid, Diclofenac, Celecoxib)ToxicToxic. Human NSAID pain pills, like mefenamic acid and diclofenac, can cause severe stomach ulcers and sudden kidney failure in dogs.
- Pain Relief Gels and CreamsToxicLicking or chewing pain relief gels, such as diclofenac, can cause vomiting, stomach ulcers and kidney injury in dogs.
- Prenatal Vitamins and MultivitaminsToxicMost multivitamins are low risk, but iron (high in prenatal vitamins), vitamins A and D, and xylitol in sugar-free chewables can poison dogs.
- Psoriasis Cream (Calcipotriene)ToxicPsoriasis creams with calcipotriene act like strong vitamin D.
- Skin Cancer Cream (5-Fluorouracil)Toxic5-Fluorouracil skin cream is extremely poisonous to dogs.
- Sleeping Pills and SedativesToxicSleeping pills and sedatives can make dogs very sleepy and wobbly or slow their breathing. Some dogs become agitated instead.
- Steroid Pills and Creams (Prednisone)ToxicToxic. Swallowing extra steroid pills or creams, like prednisone or hydrocortisone, can cause vomiting, diarrhea and more thirst and peeing.
- Tramadol and Other Opioid PainkillersToxicToxic. Opioid painkillers like tramadol can make dogs very sleepy, wobbly or agitated, and can slow breathing enough to be deadly.
- Vitamin D SupplementsToxicToo much vitamin D raises calcium in a dog's blood and can cause kidney failure. Signs often start 12 to 36 hours after eating it.
- Zinc Oxide and Diaper Rash CreamCautionUsually mild. A one-time lick or swallow of zinc oxide cream, like diaper rash cream, usually causes only stomach upset.
General information from each entry's sources, not a diagnosis. When in doubt, call your vet.