My dog ate coins – what should I do?

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: Pet Poison Helpline

Call a vet now

Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet right now. Coins can cause zinc poisoning in dogs.

What to do now

What to do right now

Note what was eaten, how much and when.
Bring the packaging.
Keep your dog calm.
Remove any coins left within reach.

Don't

Do not make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to.
Do not give any human medicine.

Why it can be dangerous

Zinc poisoning can occur in dogs after they ingest coins.^[1] Some coins can be safely ingested and passed out in the stool a few days later.^[1]

Signs to watch for

vomiting
weakness
collapse
kidney failure
anemia
pale gums
jaundice

If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

OkPaw is on Android now – an iPhone version is on its way.

Common questions

How much coin is dangerous?

Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet right now.

Can coins cause poisoning in dogs?

Zinc poisoning can occur in dogs after ingesting coins.^[1]

Can a coin pass on its own?

Some coins can be safely ingested and passed out in the stool a few days later.^[1]

Sources

Pet Poison Helpline

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages

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