My dog ate windshield wiper fluid – what should I do?
Call a vet nowCall your vet or the nearest emergency vet right now. Windshield wiper fluid is toxic to dogs and can cause kidney failure, low blood pressure, and incoordination.
What to do right now
- Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet.
- Note what, how much, and when your dog ate.
- Bring the packaging.
- Keep your dog calm.
- 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
Windshield wiper fluids most often contain a moderate to high concentration of methanol.[1] They may also contain low-concentration isopropanol and additional antifreezes, including ethylene glycol or propylene glycol.[1]
Signs to watch for
Not sure how serious it is?
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Common questions
How much windshield wiper fluid is dangerous?
Note what and how much your dog ate, bring the packaging, and call your vet or the nearest emergency vet right now.
Which signs should I watch for, and how soon?
Watch for kidney failure, low blood pressure, and incoordination, and call your vet or the nearest emergency vet right now.
What can windshield wiper fluid contain?
Windshield wiper fluids most often contain methanol and may also contain isopropanol, ethylene glycol, or propylene glycol.[1]
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
Xylitol
Acetaminophen
Anticoagulant rodenticides