Toxicity in Puppies: Signs, What to Do, and How to Prevent It

If you think your puppy swallowed something toxic, call your veterinarian, an emergency veterinary hospital, or a pet poison hotline right away. Don't wait for signs to appear. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is available 24 hours a day, every day, at (888) 426-4435, and a consultation fee may apply (ASPCA, n.d.).

Pet Poison Helpline is available around the clock at (855) 764-7661 and charges a $99 fee per incident (Pet Poison Helpline, n.d.). Don't make your puppy vomit or give a home remedy unless a veterinarian or poison expert tells you to (Pet Poison Helpline, n.d.).

Toxicity in puppies means poisoning from something a puppy has swallowed, licked, or touched. Puppies are inquisitive and good at getting into trouble and childproof lids don't stop them from chewing (VCA Animal Hospitals, n.d.).

The most common pet toxins reported to ASPCA Poison Control in 2025 were over-the-counter medications and supplements, food and drink, human prescription medications, chocolate, and veterinary products such as flavored chews (ASPCA, 2026). Signs of poisoning can include vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, restlessness, tremors, and seizures (Benzow, 2023), but some poisons cause no signs for hours or days. Grapes and raisins, for example, usually cause vomiting or diarrhea within 6 to 12 hours, with kidney failure following later (Hayes, 2024a).

That delay is why calling right away matters. Early veterinary treatment gives the best chance of success (Khan & Schell, 2026).

Key points

• Call your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline as soon as you suspect exposure, even if your puppy seems fine (ASPCA, 2026; Pet Poison Helpline, n.d.).
• Don't induce vomiting or give home antidotes unless told to (Pet Poison Helpline, n.d.).
• Over-the-counter medications and supplements were the top toxin category in 2025, at 16.9% of cases (ASPCA, 2026).
• Xylitol, a sugar substitute, can cause dangerously low blood sugar within 30 minutes and liver injury later (Hayes, 2024b).
• Rat and mouse poisons work in different ways, so knowing the exact product matters (Khan & Schell, 2026).
• Childproof lids don't stop a puppy from chewing through a bottle (VCA Animal Hospitals, n.d.).

Detailed explanation

What to do right now

Pet Poison Helpline recommends these steps if you suspect poisoning (Pet Poison Helpline, n.d.):

1. Move your puppy away from the substance.
2. Check that your puppy is breathing and acting normally.
3. Don't give any home antidotes.
4. Don't induce vomiting unless a veterinarian or poison expert tells you to.
5. Call a poison hotline, and contact your veterinarian or an emergency clinic if your puppy needs care.

Owners often don't see their dog eat something until signs appear (Benzow, 2023), so look around for chewed wrappers or open containers that could tell your veterinarian what happened.

Signs of poisoning in puppies

Common signs of poisoning in dogs include (Benzow, 2023):

• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Excessive thirst
• Nausea
• Restlessness or agitation
• Drooling
• Tremors or muscle spasms
• Seizures

Some signs appear quickly, while others take time to develop (Benzow, 2023). A puppy with shaking or trembling, pale gums, or collapse needs emergency care, whatever the cause. Our article on dog symptoms you should never ignore covers other warning signs.

The most common toxins

ASPCA Poison Control's top toxins of 2025, based on calls about more than 376,000 items, were (ASPCA, 2026):

1. Over-the-counter medications and supplements (16.9%)
2. Food and drink (16.4%)
3. Human prescription medications
4. Chocolate (13.6%)
5. Veterinary products (9.1%)
6. Plants and fungi (7.5%)
7. Rodenticides (6.5%)
8. Household products (6.4%)
9. Insecticides (3.8%)
10. Recreational drugs (1.9%)

Flavored chewable veterinary products, including calming and joint care chews, are a growing concern because pets may eat a whole container (ASPCA, 2026). Keep supplements and medications, including your puppy's own, in closed cabinets.

Foods that are toxic to puppies

Chocolate. Dogs are the most common chocolate poisoning cases (ASPCA, 2026). Signs usually begin within 6 to 12 hours and can include vomiting, diarrhea, thirst, restlessness, and a swollen belly, progressing to tremors, seizures, and dangerous heart rhythms. Cocoa powder and unsweetened baker's chocolate are the most concentrated sources of the toxic compounds, followed by semisweet and dark chocolate and then milk chocolate. White chocolate contains very little (Hayes, 2026). Cocoa bean hull mulch can also be toxic (Hayes, 2026).

Xylitol. This sugar substitute is found in sugar-free gum, candy, mints, some peanut butters, baked goods, toothpaste, vitamins, and some liquid medications. Low blood sugar can develop within 30 minutes, causing vomiting, weakness, wobbliness, seizures, or coma. Liver injury can follow, with signs sometimes not appearing until 24 to 48 hours later. Dogs with uncomplicated low blood sugar usually do well with prompt treatment, but severe liver injury carries a guarded outlook (Hayes, 2024b). If your veterinarian checks bloodwork, our guide to liver values in dogs explains the numbers.

Grapes, raisins, and currants. Grapes, raisins, Zante currants, and tamarind can cause kidney injury in dogs. Most affected dogs vomit or have diarrhea within 6 to 12 hours, and kidney failure can follow within about three days. The amount that causes harm isn't predictable, because the toxic compound varies between fruits. Once a dog stops making urine, most die or are euthanized unless dialysis is available (Hayes, 2024a).

Other foods. Onions and garlic are also among the most common food exposures (ASPCA, 2026). Caffeine, alcohol, and macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs too, and garbage is a frequent source of trouble because it smells good to puppies (VCA Animal Hospitals, n.d.).

Rat and mouse poisons

Rodenticides don't all work the same way, which is why knowing the exact product matters (Khan & Schell, 2026):

• Anticoagulants stop blood from clotting and are the most frequent cause of rodenticide poisoning in pets. Dogs may become depressed and stop eating before bleeding starts, and blood loss can cause anemia, which shows up on a complete blood count.
• Bromethalin affects the nervous system, causing tremors and seizures. Milder poisoning may not show signs for 1 to 4 days.
• Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) raises blood calcium and damages the kidneys, with signs usually developing within 18 to 36 hours.
• Zinc phosphide causes rapid vomiting, belly pain, and convulsions.

Marijuana and other drugs

Recreational drugs, including marijuana, were 1.9% of 2025 cases (ASPCA, 2026). In a survey of North American veterinarians, edibles were the most commonly suspected source of cannabis poisoning in pets, and the most common signs were urine leaking, disorientation, wobbliness, and lethargy. Most pets recovered completely (Amissah et al., 2022).

Household products and the yard

Cleaners and paints made up many household product exposures (ASPCA, 2026). Concentrated or undiluted household chemicals pose the main risk, while areas where products have been used properly rarely cause serious problems (Gwaltney-Brant, 2026). Fertilizers, insecticides, antifreeze, and plants such as azaleas and daffodils are other hazards to keep away from puppies (VCA Animal Hospitals, n.d.). Our article on the dangers of pesticides and herbicides looks at longer-term concerns with yard chemicals.

Puppy-proofing your home

These steps reduce the risk (ASPCA, 2026; VCA Animal Hospitals, n.d.):

• Keep medications, supplements, and veterinary chews in closed cabinets. Childproof lids won't stop a determined chewer.
• Keep purses and backpacks closed and off the floor.
• Use trash cans with latching lids, or keep them out of reach.
• Keep human food and drinks off low tables and counters.
• Check plants against a toxic plant list before bringing them home.
• Place rodent bait where pets can't reach it, and follow label directions for insecticides.
• Save both poison hotline numbers in your phone.

When to contact a veterinarian

Go to an emergency veterinary hospital now if your puppy:

• Is having a seizure, tremors, or trouble breathing
• Has collapsed or can't stand
• Is bleeding from the nose, mouth, or rectum, or has pale gums
• Is very weak or unresponsive

Call your veterinarian or a poison hotline right away if:

• You know or suspect your puppy ate medication, a supplement, chocolate, xylitol, grapes or raisins, rodent bait, or a drug, even if your puppy seems fine
• Your puppy is vomiting, has diarrhea, or is drooling and you can't explain why

Questions to ask your veterinarian

• Based on what my puppy ate, what signs should I watch for, and for how long?
• Does my puppy need bloodwork, and should it be repeated later?
• Should my puppy be hospitalized or monitored at home?
• Is there a delayed effect I should know about, such as kidney, liver, or bleeding problems?
• Which plants and products in my home and yard are safe?
• Which of my own medications and supplements are most dangerous to dogs?

References

Amissah, R. Q., Vogt, N. A., Chen, C., Urban, K., & Khokhar, J. (2022). Prevalence and characteristics of cannabis-induced toxicoses in pets: Results from a survey of veterinarians in North America. PLoS ONE, 17(4). 

ASPCA. (n.d.). ASPCA Animal Poison Control. Retrieved November 10, 2026, from https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control

ASPCA. (2026, March 15). The top 10 toxins of 2025. https://www.aspca.org/news/top-10-toxins-2025

Benzow, A. (2023, November 6). What are the common symptoms of dog poisoning? Pet Poison Helpline. https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/uncategorized/what-are-the-common-symptoms-of-dog-poisoning/

Gwaltney-Brant, S. M. (2026). Overview of household hazard toxicoses in animals. Merck Veterinary Manual, Professional Version. Retrieved November 10, 2026, from https://www.merckvetmanual.com/toxicology/toxicoses-from-household-hazards/overview-of-household-hazard-toxicoses-in-animals

Hayes, C. (2024a). Raisin and grape toxicosis in dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual, Professional Version. Retrieved November 10, 2026, from https://www.merckvetmanual.com/toxicology/food-hazards/raisin-and-grape-toxicosis-in-dogs

Hayes, C. (2024b). Xylitol toxicosis in dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual, Professional Version. Retrieved November 10, 2026, from https://www.merckvetmanual.com/toxicology/food-hazards/xylitol-toxicosis-in-dogs

Hayes, C. (2026). Chocolate toxicosis in animals. Merck Veterinary Manual, Professional Version. Retrieved November 10, 2026, from https://www.merckvetmanual.com/toxicology/food-hazards/chocolate-toxicosis-in-animals

Khan, S. A., & Schell, M. M. (2026). Rodenticide poisoning. Merck Veterinary Manual, Pet Owner Version. Retrieved November 10, 2026, from https://www.merckvetmanual.com/special-pet-topics/poisoning/rodenticide-poisoning

Pet Poison Helpline. (n.d.). Is it an emergency? Retrieved November 10, 2026, from https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/

VCA Animal Hospitals. (n.d.). How to puppy-proof your house. Retrieved November 10, 2026, from https://vcahospitals.com/pediatric/puppy/prep-supplies/how-to-puppy-proof-your-house