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Did your dog eat something they shouldn’t have? Well, you’re not alone! Pups commonly get into things they shouldn’t when they’re bored or smell something tasty. Read on to learn what to do when your dog eats common household items and how pet insurance can help cover costs in an emergency.
If you catch your dog in the act, take the object away so they don’t ingest any more. Once they have stopped consuming the dangerous substance, take the following steps:1,2
If your dog is actively choking, it’s important to know the appropriate precautions to take, which may include techniques such as the Heimlich maneuver when necessary.
Dogs navigate through the world with their noses and mouths, which means they can get into all sorts of things when we aren’t looking. If your dog swallowed something they shouldn’t have, they may show symptoms, like:3
It depends. Symptoms can show immediately, or they may take a few days to develop. The onset of symptoms often depends on factors like what your pet ate and how much they consumed, as well as your pet’s size.3
If you suspect your dog ate something that could be potentially toxic, contact your veterinarian. If they’re unavailable, don’t wait; call an emergency clinic or pet poison control.3
Here’s what to look for and immediate steps to take:4,5,6
Drug Type | Symptoms | What To Do |
Ibuprofen (Advil® and Motrin®) | Vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, seizures, coma | Contact your veterinarian. If they’re unavailable, contact an emergency clinic or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. |
Naproxen (Aleve®) | Black stools, stumbling, pale mucous membranes | Contact your veterinarian. If they’re unavailable, contact an emergency clinic or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. |
Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) | Usually not seen in dogs unless doses are high, but high doses can cause liver failure and red blood cell damage | Contact your veterinarian. If they’re unavailable, contact an emergency clinic or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. |
Antidepressants | Agitation, confusion, lethargy, fever, muscle contractions, constipation, serotonin syndrome | Contact your veterinarian. If they’re unavailable, contact an emergency clinic or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. |
Muscle Relaxants | Drooling, vomiting, vocalization (e.g., whimpering), lack of coordination, seizures | Contact your veterinarian. If they’re unavailable, contact an emergency clinic or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. |
You can reach the ASPCA Poison Control Hotline at (888) 426-4435. Consultation fees may apply.
Human medications that have been accidentally ingested by pets are one of the top causes of pet poisoning.4 Here are some tips to help keep your pets safe:
Here are some common foreign objects dogs can ingest:
This list isn’t extensive. Dogs are curious creatures and explore with their mouths. Not all foreign objects are necessarily toxic, but eating one can pose significant health risks.7
Ingesting a foreign object could cause your pet to choke. This can be a scary moment for a pet parent, but do your best to stay calm. If your dog is choking, contact an emergency vet immediately and follow their instructions.
You may not be present when your dog ingests something they shouldn’t. Here are some clinical signs your pet may have eaten a foreign body:7
If you suspect your dog has ingested something they shouldn't have, it’s recommended to take your pup to their vet or an emergency clinic so a vet can perform an ultrasound and take X-rays to locate a foreign object.7
Depending on the size of the swallowed object, surgery may be required to prevent further damage to your pet’s internal organs. In other cases, if the object is small enough, your pet may be able to pass it on its own.7
The best course of action is to try your best to keep your dog out of the bathroom and away from potential hazards. But things happen to even the most attentive pet parents, so here’s what you need to know about common items dogs may swallow in our bathrooms.8,9
Object | Symptoms | What To Do |
Tampons & Pads | Vomiting, lethargy, abdominal pain, straining to defecate, swollen or firm abdomen, diarrhea | Contact your veterinarian. If they’re unavailable, contact an emergency clinic. |
Soap | Upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea | Flush your pet's mouth with tap water. Use a turkey baster if needed. Contact your vet or an emergency veterinarian. |
Cleaning products | Pawing at mouth, severe drooling, fever, tearing of the eyes, blistering of the skin | Contact ASPCA Animal Poison Control immediately. They may ask you to flush your dog’s mouth with water and/or go straight to the emergency clinic. |
Certain chemical cleaning products can be especially dangerous for dogs. Think drain cleaners, oven cleaners, and any cleaner that’s designed to be corrosive. These can cause chemical burns if accidentally exposed to the fur and skin.9
Keep your pets away from cleaning products by securing the cabinets they’re stored in. It’s recommended you secure them with childproof locks. When you are using these products, make sure to keep your pets away from the area.9
Dogs evolved along with humans, so there are plenty of dog-safe foods they can eat. However, they shouldn’t eat everything on our plates. Let’s walk through the most common human foods that could ruin your dog’s day.10, 11, 12, 13, 14
Food | Symptoms | What To Do |
Raw meat | Vomiting, diarrhea | It may be okay in small doses, but it can cause food poisoning. Monitor your dog. Call your vet if you notice symptoms or if they ate a large amount of raw chicken. |
Animal bones | Vomiting, excessive drooling, hard swallowing, lack of appetite, diarrhea | The concern is cooked bones can splinter and take longer to dissolve. Call your vet. They may advise you to monitor your dog for any symptoms that develop. Keep them in the loop on any changes in your pet’s condition. |
Onions and garlic | Lethargy, weakness, decreased appetite, pale gums, fainting | Onions and garlic are toxic to dogs. Call the ASPCA Poison Hotline or an emergency veterinarian. Follow their instructions. They may ask you to induce vomiting, but don’t do so unless instructed. |
Gum | Vomiting, weakness, lack of coordination, difficulty walking, tremors, seizures, coma | Gum often contains xylitol, which is extremely toxic, even in small doses. Call the ASPCA Poison Hotline and be prepared to rush your dog to an emergency clinic. |
Chocolate | Vomiting, diarrhea, increased urination, tremors, elevated heart rate, seizures, collapse | Chocolate is toxic for dogs. Cocoa powder is the most toxic. Call the ASPCA Poison Hotline. |
Many different types of food humans eat can be toxic to dogs. And it can be all too easy for dogs to access it, especially if you have children that drop food frequently on the floor.14
Has your curious pup decided that bugs are fun to chase? Well, this can be harmless — until it isn’t. There are certain bugs your dog shouldn’t play around with. Here are common bugs that should raise questions for pet parents when their dog eats them.15,16,17,18
Bug | Symptoms | What To Do |
Bees | Swelling in mouth or throat, drooling, pawing at face, weakness, lethargy, difficulty breathing | Some dogs are allergic to bees. They could also have been stung inside their mouths. If you notice symptoms, call your vet. If you notice extreme swelling or if they’re struggling to breathe, take them to an emergency clinic. |
Stink bugs | Vomiting, drooling, lack of appetite, eye irritation (if chemicals from bug get in eyes) | Stink bugs aren’t toxic. They may eat one or two without major problems. But if a more severe reaction develops, like continued vomiting or trouble breathing, contact your vet. |
Caterpillars | Drooling, head shaking, pawing, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face | They can be poisonous and their hairs can enter the skin and break off. If your dog’s face swells or they’re having trouble breathing, get to an emergency clinic. You can also call the ASPCA Poison Control Hotline. |
Generally, it’s more of a concern if your dog gets bitten by a spider than if they eat one. However, if your dog eats a spider that’s known to be venomous, it’s worth contacting your veterinarian to ask for their advice. If you aren’t sure what type of spider it was, your vet may advise you to monitor your dog’s condition for signs of abnormal behavior.19
Two spiders of special concern are the black widow and the brown recluse because of how toxic they are. If you suspect your dog ate or was bitten by one of them, you should take your dog to a veterinary hospital.19
We may not always be able to watch our dogs and prevent them from eating something they shouldn’t, but there are steps pet parents can take to prepare for potential incidents. Consider a dog insurance policy to help protect your dog when their curious mouths get the better of them.
MetLife Pet Insurance policies can provide reimbursement options to pet parents for up to 90% of the vet bill after an emergency vet visit.20 Get started with a free quote today so you can get back to what matters most: spending time with your family.
Sherry Jude began working as a veterinary technician in 2015 and has done a little bit of everything along the way, from canine and feline general medicine to emergency and specialty care to physical rehabilitation, poison control, and — most recently — pet insurance. She has a soft spot for senior pets, client education, and supporting animals during post-operative physical rehabilitation, wound care, and preventative medicine.
Sherry has a bachelor’s in Veterinary Medicine from Morehead State University.
