Symptoms of Dog Poisoning and Natural Treatments

★ 5.5 min read

 

In This Article:

1. Introduction
2. Symptoms of Poisoning
3. Treatments to Mitigate the Effects of Poisoning 
1. To Induce Vomiting 
2. To Dilute Caustic Poisons
3. To Remove Absorbed Poisons
4. Inhaled Poisons
5. Snake Bites
6. Insect Bites
7. Chocolate and Cocoa
8. Grapes and Raisins
9. Other Foods
4. A Natural First Aid Kit
   
5. If you Think Your Dog or Cat is Suffering from Poisoning
6. Poison Control Centre Helplines

1.0 Introduction

Dogs and cats can suffer from poisoning for many reasons - some foods are toxic to dogs, if you do not know what foods can harm your cat and dog you may end-up accidentally poisoning your dog. Some times dogs are accidentally exposed to chemicals (e.g., household cleaning products), or toxins such as anti-freeze. Dogs and cats can suffer poisoning from snake bites, , poisonous toads and caterpillars, ingesting poisonous plants or rodent poison, eating grass that fertilizer, herbicides or pesticides have been applied to, ingesting and/or surface contact with road salt (de-icer), surfaces treated with chemical-based household cleaners, etc. Some dogs and cats are intentionally poisoned by unhappy neighbours. 

Dogs and cats can inhale or ingest a poisonous substance. For example a dog may absorb poison by inhaling tiny air-borne particles. Toxins may enter there blood stream via surface contact with  the pads of their paws. They may directly ingest a toxic substance or may inadvertently ingest it by brushing against/walking or lying on a toxic substance and then licking/grooming themselves.

It is always better to be pro-active, accidents happen, and so too, intentional cruelty by others - by familiarizing yourself with the symptoms and treatments of poisoning you can save your cat and dog’s life.

2.0 Symptoms of Poisoning

Absorbed, ingested and/or absorbed poisonous/toxic substances can cause a wide range of reactions such as:

• Breathing difficulty
• Bleeding disorders
• Bleeding from various parts of the body
• Chemical burns
• Coma
• Death
• Diarrhea
• Drooling
• Elevated temperature
• Hallucination resulting in over-reaction to sound or light
• Heart and organ failure
• Kidney or liver problems
• Loss of appetite
• Loss of balance - staggering
• Lethargy
• Mouth irritation
• Muscle tremor and rigidity
• Seizure
• Skin rash
• Swelling of the tongue
• Vomiting
• Weakness

Some toxic substances result in immediate signs of poisoning, typically signs of poisoning are apparent within 3 days after contact with the substance. However, some poisons/toxins can be insidious - toxic load may take weeks, months or years to build-up before symptoms surface.

The earlier you notice symptoms and the quicker your dog receives treatment the lesser the chance of permanent damage or death. But there are some poisons for which there is no cure.

3.0 Treatments to Mitigate the Effects of Poisoning

The following provides a list of some of the interventions that your veterinarian may ask you to do, they may also request that you bring your dog in ASAP.

3.1 To Induce Vomiting:

This should be done only if: 

1. Your emergency clinic or veterinarian has advised you to proceed, and;
2. Ingestion of the problem substance/item occurred no more than two hours ago.
   

To induce vomiting:

1. Give your dog 1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) of 3% food grade hydrogen peroxide for every 5 lbs (2.26 kg) of body weight.  Use an eye dropper or syringe to administer the hydrogen peroxide directly into your dog's mouth. 
2. If vomiting fails to occur after 15 minutes, you may be asked by the emergency clinic or your veterinarian to repeat the dosing.  
3. Vomiting may occur multiple times and last up to approximately 45 minutes after dosing the hydrogen peroxide. 
   

 

3.2 To Dilute Caustic Poisons such as pine oils, detergents, bleaches, and swimming pool chemicals:

Give your dog or cat water, cow or goat milk, or egg whites. 

 

Activated charcoal is helpful to help absorb herbicides, pesticides, overdose of multivitamins, conventional drugs and other substances. Activated charcoal must be administered within 60 minutes of poisoning, and prior to onset of symptoms. Activated charcoal should not be used if your dog or cat is: exhibiting symptoms of poisoning, has ingested a corrosive substance.

3.3 To Remove Absorbed Poisons:

Absorbed poisons are substances that get on your pet’s paws and coat and are absorbed through the skin. 

 

Road salt is one of the most common of such substances and can cause serious damage to health.

 

Remember your dog walks on, lies on, and licks the floor, Don't use chemical based cleaners to clean floors, other horizontal or vertical surfaces that your dog comes into contact with. Use dog and cat-friendly, natural household cleaning products, examples in this article.

 

Absorbed poisoning can happen through ingestion when the animal grooms himself. 

 

For oil-based toxins (petroleum products) use a gentle natural soap and herbal rinse. Examples in this article.

 

Carefully vacuum powdery poisons away because water can activate certain toxins. 

 

If the poison is in your dog or cat’s eye, carefully flush the eye with water or a sterile saline solution. A simple saline solution eye flush recipe is provided in this article.

 

To remove toxins from a dog or cat's paws you can use a natural paw soak recipe.  Simple, natural paw soak recipes are provided in this article.

 

Herbs such as milk thistle help support the liver and aid in detoxing the body.

 

3.4 Inhaled poisons include aerosol sprays, carbon monoxide, gases, and other fumes inhaled by your pet that you may not consider poison to dogs or cats because you use them safely on a regular basis. Quickly get your dog and cat to fresh air and administer Rescue Breathing if necessary.

3.5 Snakebites 

Carry your dog or cat if at all possible, to prevent increased circulation of venom throughout his body via walking. Get him to an animal emergency centre ASAP.

3.6 Insect Bites

• Rather than use a chemical-based antihistamine (i.e. Benadryl) you can use nature's antihistamine - Quercetin
• For calming pain and inflammation due to a bite there are many natural options, for topical treatments, for example:
• 100% Aloe Vera juice or gel
• Arnica Montana
• Chamomile
• Calendula
• Goldenseal
• Honey, raw, unpasteurized, pure
  
• Feverfew
• Marjoram
• For calming the irritation resulting from insect bites, to speed healing and prevent infection:
• Honey, raw, unpasteurized, pure
• Colloidal silver
• Applying a cold pack to the bite can alleviate swelling
• Immediately seek professional help if you detect breathing problems 

 

3.7 Chocolate and Cocoa

 

If your dog has eaten chocolate or cocoa, learn about:

1. Symptoms of toxicity.
2. Risk factors for toxicity.
3. What you should do.
   

Go to this article.

 

 
3.8 Grapes and Raisins

 

If your dog has eaten grapes or raisins, learn about:

1. Symptoms of toxicity.
2. Risk factors for toxicity.
3. Treatments.

Go to this article.

3.9 Other Foods That Can Cause Toxicity

 

Learn about other foods that can cause toxicity.

• Go to this article. 
  

4.0 A Natural First Aid Kit Can Help You Be Prepared

Find out how to make your dog's own natural first aid kit.

• Go to this article.

5.0 If You Think Your Dog or Cat Is Suffering From Poisoning

(e.g. food poisoning, chemical poisoning, insect or snake bite toxins)

If you think your dog or cat is suffering from symptoms related to poisoning from food, plants , chemicals, snake bite, etc., call your emergency clinic or contact a pet poison control centre right away. 

 

6.0 Poison Control Centre Helplines

Canada, USA, Caribbean

• Pet Poison Helpline: call 855-764-7661

USA

• ASPCA Poison Help Line: call 888-426-4435

Note:

There are errors on the ASPCA's list of dangerous and poisonous items. For example - aloe vera juice, fresh lemon, select dairy products, garlic, chamomile, other specific herbs and herbal teas such as decaffeinated green tea and rooibos tea are actually not poisonous for your dog. You can read my articles on those items to learn more.

 

UK

• PDSA Animal Poison Line (APL): call 01202 509000

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Article and graphics by Karen Rosenfeld.