"My Dog Ate Something": Pet Poison Prevention and DIY First Aid

Categories: Emergencies, Love + Health-Published On: April 2, 2023-

short-haired chihuahua with daisy on green grass

We’ve all said it: “I think my dog ate something.”

And it’s never a good thing, like “my dog ate a blueberry” or

“Yay! she ate her breakfast!”

No. It’s “my dog ate chocolate,” or “my puppy swallowed an Advil” or “my dog licked something from the road and now she’s sick.”

Nearly half a million pets are poisoned every year.

The key is understanding how to prevent accidental dog poisoning, what to watch out for, and steps to take now that prepare you in case of emergency.

And that key is especially important for our little breed pups.

Are Small Dogs More Likely to Have Poor Outcomes When They Get Into A Toxin?

Small dog puppy standing and sniffing jar of chocolates

Because of their metabolism and low body weight, small dogs can react much more quickly to any toxin they eat.

In fact, emergency veterinarians caution that “the smaller the dog, the greater the poison emergency.”

What Precautions Should I Take So I Can Avoid Saying “My Dog Ate Something”?

Small, fluffy white dog with muddy face and paws leaning over a rock.

The booklet below (which you can read online as a FlipBook here or download as a PDF) contains the most important reminders:

Know what’s toxic.
Keep those dangerous substances secured where your dog can’t reach them.
Be sure guests in your home have a safe place to store their medications or any gum, candy, etc. they bring.
Know what’s toxic. Yes, I know I said that, but it bears repeating.
Be hyper-alert on walks. Sniffaris are important, but so is being sure your pup doesn’t scarf up something she shouldn’t.

What If The Worst Happens, and My Dog Eats Something Poisonous?

Black, tan, and white small terrier sleeping on bed with white blanket and orange pillows in background

You’ll find the ASPCA 24/7 Emergency Hotline and their Poison App referenced in our Poison Emergency Guide below.

In addition, I’ve provided a script and guidance gathered from researching the issue.

You can either download your own PDF or use our FlipBook, below.

Hopefully, you’ll never have to say “my dog ate something.” But if she does, you’ll know what to do and you’ll have the tools you need to help her quickly.

What Other Safety Issues Do I Need to Consider with My Small Dog?

In the next two weeks, I’ll do a short post putting together a DIY First-Aid kit that will cover both pups AND their humans. So, stay tuned. In the meantime…

with Spring veterinary appointments coming up, you’ll want to read about our encounter with the Lyme vaccine.

You can find it here: The Lyme Vaccine: What to Know Before the Appointment