My Dog Ate Rat Poison
Rat poison exposure is a veterinary emergency because different products can cause life-threatening bleeding, brain swelling, kidney failure, or toxic gas formation. Here’s what to do right now, when to get emergency help, and what treatment may involve.
This is a veterinary emergency.
If your dog may have eaten any rat poison, call your vet, an emergency animal hospital, or Pet Poison Helpline right away—do not wait for symptoms to start.
Talk to a vet now →Need Emergency Help Right Now?
If your dog has consumed rat poison and is showing severe symptoms — such as vomiting, tremors, seizures, or collapse — they may need in-person emergency veterinary care immediately. If this is the case, we recommend calling our partner Pet Poison Helpline ($85 consultation fee). They work directly with your emergency vet to guide treatment and help resolve your pet's case faster.
When to call a vet
Go to the ER now
- ● Your dog definitely or possibly ate rat poison, even if they seem normal.
- ● Your dog is having tremors, seizures, weakness, collapse, trouble breathing, or severe vomiting.
- ● You see bleeding from the nose, gums, urine, stool, or vomit, or your dog has pale gums or bruising.
- ● Your dog ate a phosphide-based bait or may have vomited after eating it.
See a vet within 24 hours
- ● You found torn bait packaging, missing bait blocks, or colored bait in your dog’s mouth, stool, or vomit.
- ● Your dog may have eaten a poisoned rodent as well as bait directly.
- ● You know the product name or have the package, but are not sure how much was eaten.
Watch at home, call if it worsens
- ● There is no true home-monitoring window for suspected rat poison ingestion—call your vet or Pet Poison Helpline for guidance even if your dog has no symptoms yet.
What Happened & Why It's Dangerous
There are several kinds of rat poison
Common rodenticides include anticoagulants, bromethalin, cholecalciferol (vitamin D3), and zinc phosphide. Each can cause a different medical emergency.
Some types cause internal bleeding
Anticoagulant rodenticides interfere with blood clotting. Dogs may not look sick at first, then can develop dangerous internal bleeding days later.
Others affect the brain or kidneys
Bromethalin can cause brain swelling and neurologic signs like tremors or seizures, while cholecalciferol can raise calcium and phosphorus enough to damage the kidneys and heart.
Fast treatment matters
Treatment depends on the exact product, dose, and timing. Early veterinary care gives your dog the best chance of avoiding severe poisoning.
What to Do Right Now
Stay calm and act quickly. Remove your dog from the bait, pick up any remaining poison, and prevent other pets from accessing it. Call your veterinarian, the nearest emergency animal hospital, or Pet Poison Helpline immediately. If you can, bring the bait package or take a clear photo of the active ingredients—this helps determine the risk and treatment. Do not give food, milk, charcoal, or home remedies unless a veterinary professional tells you to. Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian or poison expert specifically instructs you to do so.
Common questions
How much rat poison is toxic to dogs?
What symptoms can rat poison cause in dogs?
How long until symptoms appear?
Can the vet treat rat poison poisoning?
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute veterinary medical advice. Reading this content does not establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. Every pet is different — always consult a licensed veterinarian before making decisions about your pet's health, diet, or care. If you'd like personalized guidance, you can talk to one of our vets. If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency, contact your local emergency animal hospital immediately.