Human medications are the leading cause of pet poisonings. Learn the key signs of overdose in dogs and cats - from NSAIDs to antidepressants - and what to do immediately to save their life.
Dog Poison Symptoms: What to Watch For and When to Act
When a dog ingests something toxic, dog poison symptoms, the visible signs that a dog has been poisoned by ingesting a harmful substance. Also known as canine toxicity, these symptoms can appear within minutes or take hours to show up—depending on what was eaten and how much. Unlike humans, dogs can’t tell you they feel sick. They don’t say "my stomach hurts" or "I ate something bad." You have to watch for changes in behavior, movement, or breathing. Delaying action can mean the difference between recovery and tragedy.
Common triggers include chocolate, a household item that contains theobromine, a compound toxic to dogs, xylitol, a sugar substitute found in gum, peanut butter, and baked goods that causes rapid insulin spikes in dogs, and cleaning products, including bleach, antifreeze, and disinfectants that dogs may lick off floors or paws. Symptoms range from vomiting and diarrhea to seizures, collapse, and internal bleeding. Some poisons, like grapes or raisins, damage the kidneys slowly—so your dog might seem fine for a day or two before things go south. Others, like rat poison, cause internal bleeding that isn’t obvious until it’s too late.
It’s not just food. Human medications like ibuprofen, antidepressants, or blood pressure pills are deadly in small doses. Even certain plants like lilies, sago palms, or azaleas can kill a dog if chewed. You don’t need to catch them in the act. If your dog suddenly seems weak, drools excessively, can’t stand, or has pale gums, treat it like an emergency. Don’t wait for symptoms to get worse. Don’t try home remedies. Call your vet or an emergency animal clinic right away. Time is everything.
The posts below cover real cases, hidden dangers, and what vets actually recommend when a dog shows signs of poisoning. You’ll find clear advice on what to do before you get to the clinic, which common household items are most dangerous, and how to prevent accidents before they happen. This isn’t theory. These are lessons from pet owners who learned the hard way—and the vets who helped them save their dogs.
