Pesticide Poisoning in Dogs: Signs and What To Do

Pesticide poisoning in dogs occurs when a dog is exposed to a toxic pesticide, such as an insecticide, herbicide, or rodenticide. Symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening, depending on the product and amount involved.

If you suspect your dog has ingested pesticide, contact your veterinarian immediately. Pesticide poisoning should be treated as an emergency because the severity of exposure may not be immediately apparent.

Here’s what pet parents should know about common pesticides, symptoms of poisoning, treatment, and prevention.

What Is Pesticide Poisoning in Dogs?

Pesticide poisoning in dogs occurs when a dog ingests a toxic pesticide. Pesticides are products used to kill, repel, or control plants, insects, or animals considered pests.

Ingestion of pesticides is common in dogs and is consistently one of the top 10 toxicities among pets reported by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.

Toxicity from pesticide poisoning can range from mild to life-threatening—depending on what specific substance was ingested and how much.

Because it can be difficult to determine how toxic a pesticide is, pesticide poisoning in dogs should be treated as an emergency. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your dog has ingested any form of pesticide.

What Pesticides Are Poisonous to Dogs?

Common pesticide categories that can cause poisoning in dogs include herbicides, insecticides, rodenticides, nematicides, molluscicides, fungicides, and larvicides.

There are more than 17,000 pesticide products on the market, grouped by the pests they are designed to eliminate. Common categories and brand examples include:

• Herbicide: Herbicides are chemicals used to control undesirable plant or vegetation growth. Some common product brand names include Roundup, Rodeo, and Spectracide.
• Insecticide: Insecticides are chemicals used to kill or repel insects. Common brand names include Orthrene, Sevin, and Raid.
• Rodenticide: Rodenticide, also known as rat poison, is designed to kill rats but is toxic to all mammals. Top brands include d-CON and Tomcat baits.
• Nematicide: Nematicides are substances used to kill worms. These are used frequently for crops and gardening. Additional lines of nematicides are offered by Garden Safe and Ortho.
• Molluscicide: Molluscicide, also known as snail bait or slug pellets, are products used to kill slugs and snails that damage crops and plants. Common brands that carry molluscicides include Garden Safe, Dr. Earth, and Corry’s.
• Fungicide: Fungicides prevent the growth of molds on food crops and plants. Fungicide is often included in lawn care products, including BioAdvanced and Scotts.
• Larvicide: Larvicides are substances used to kill mosquitoes and larva. Altoside and BioAdvanced are other brand examples of larvicide.

What Are the Symptoms of Pesticide Poisoning in Dogs?

Symptoms of pesticide poisoning in dogs may include vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, weakness, difficulty breathing, tremors, or seizures.

Clinical signs vary depending on the type and amount of pesticide ingested. In most cases, symptoms may be seen in the first few minutes after exposure but can be delayed for up to a few days. 

Some common clinical signs include:

• Vomiting
• Drooling
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Decreased appetite
• Irritation to the skin, eyes, or mucous membranes
• Uncontrolled urination or defecation
• Weakness/lethargy
• Stumbling or trouble walking
• Trouble breathing
• Tremors or seizures

What To Do if Your Dog Licks or Eats Pesticide

If your dog licks or ingests pesticide, contact your veterinarian immediately. Try to identify the type of pesticide, active ingredient, and amount consumed to help determine the level of toxicity.

It is very helpful to have the packaging (or what is left of it) from any product your pet ingested. You may also call the company that applied the product for specific product information.

You can also contact a pet poison-control service for guidance:

• Pet Poison Helpline: 855-764-7661
• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: 888-426-4435

These services can help determine whether your dog needs emergency veterinary care. Dogs should be treated as quickly as possible.

How Veterinarians Treat Pesticide Poisoning in Dogs

Treatment for pesticide poisoning in dogs may include veterinary decontamination, activated charcoal, IV fluids, hospitalization, and additional medical therapy, depending on the type and amount of pesticide ingested.

How Veterinarians Diagnose Pesticide Poisoning in Dogs

The recommended baseline evaluation includes a complete blood count, serum blood chemistry, and urinalysis.

Given the extremely large number of pesticide products available for purchase, it can be very difficult to identify which ones are low toxicity versus high toxicity. The veterinarian will likely utilize one of the pet poison helplines to make this determination and identify recommendations for treatment.

Decontamination and Treatment

If your pet ingested pesticide in the past hour, your veterinarian may recommend inducing vomiting at the hospital as a means of decontamination. If your dog is already showing clinical signs, it may be too late to induce vomiting, as there is a risk of aspiration pneumonia. 

Activated charcoal may also be used to bind any additional toxin remaining in the stomach. The toxin passes when the dog defecates.

If the active ingredient was extremely toxic, or your dog ingested a large amount of pesticide, your pet may need to be hospitalized for IV fluids and additional medical therapy—depending on the type of pesticide and its symptoms.

Recovery and Prognosis of Pesticide Poisoning in Dogs

Pesticide poisoning can be deadly, but, with early diagnosis and aggressive therapy, the prognosis is typically good. Most dogs that recover typically go on to live normal lives and no long-term follow-up will be needed.

How To Prevent Pesticide Poisoning in Dogs

To prevent pesticide poisoning in dogs, store lawn and garden products securely, keep dogs away from areas where pesticides are being applied, and follow safety precautions before allowing pets back into treated areas.

Keep all lawn and garden products—including herbicides, insecticides, and pesticides—in a secure place pets cannot access. Do not leave products open or unattended while working in the yard. Consider letting your furry friends relax indoors away from the area where the pesticides are being applied.

While specific directions can vary for each individual product, a general rule of thumb is to allow all liquid herbicides, insecticides, and pesticides to completely dry and keep the pet off the area for a minimum of 48 hours.

Keep a detailed record of what pesticides are used as well as when and where they were applied. Take special care in documenting the location of any baits, pellets, or traps which will remain in the environment.