My dog ate zinc – 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. Zinc poisoning can occur in dogs after they ingest metal pieces, certain topical ointments or coins.

What to do now

What to do right now

Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet.
Note what, how much and when.
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

Zinc poisoning can occur in dogs after they ingest metal pieces.^[1] Zinc poisoning can also occur after dogs ingest certain topical ointments or coins.^[1]

Signs to watch for

vomiting
weakness
collapse
kidney failure
anemia
pale gums
jaundice

Where it is found

metal pieces
certain topical ointments
coins

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

What can cause zinc poisoning in dogs?

It can follow swallowing metal pieces, certain topical ointments or coins.^[1]

Where might zinc be found?

Examples include nuts, bolts, hardware, galvanized metals, diaper rash creams and coins.^[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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