My dog ate a hand warmer – what should I do?
Call a vet todayCall your vet today for advice – don't wait until signs appear. Some hand warmers contain iron, which can be toxic to dogs.
What to do right now
- Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet.
- Note what was eaten, how much and when.
- Bring the packaging.
- Keep your dog calm and remove what is left.
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
Some types of hand warmers contain iron.[1] Foot warmers and body warmers are included among the types of hand warmers that may contain iron.[1]
Signs to watch for
Where it is found
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 is dangerous?
Call your vet for advice about how much was eaten.
What signs should I watch for?
Possible signs include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, tremors, abdominal pain and shock.
How soon could signs start?
Call your vet for advice about when signs may start.
Sources
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
Ibuprofen