My Dog Ate Something They Shouldn't Have — What Do I Do?

What this symptom can mean

When a dog eats something toxic, fast action is often the difference between simple treatment and life-threatening complications. Many common items in homes are risky, including human medications, xylitol gum, rodenticides, grapes/raisins, cannabis products, cleaning agents, and some plants. Symptoms may start mild and worsen over hours.

Do not wait for severe signs. Contact poison support and your veterinarian right away with product details and estimated amount. Never induce vomiting unless a professional instructs you, because some substances can cause more injury coming back up. Use triage now to decide if emergency transport is needed immediately.

Use this page as a fast decision guide, not a diagnosis. A symptom can look mild early and become urgent later, especially overnight. The safest approach is to combine your dog's symptom details with behavior, breathing, hydration, and gum color. If multiple warning signs appear together, urgency rises quickly.

If you are unsure, choose the safer option and run triage now. The goal is to avoid missing emergencies while also reducing unnecessary panic trips. Taking two minutes to assess timing, progression, and red flags gives your veterinary team better information and helps you act with confidence.

Related Symptoms

FAQ