Dog ate something harmful – when to see a vet?

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: PDSA

Contact a vet today

This can have a serious cause – contact your vet today if any of the warning signs below apply, or if you are unsure. Something harmful can poison or block your dog, and a blockage can be very serious.

When to contact a vet What to do now

Contact a vet if you see any of this

Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Twitching
Low energy (lethargy)
Reduced appetite
A hunched back or ‘bowing’ or ‘prayer’ position due to tummy pain
Constipation, including straining or not being able to poo

What you can do now

Contact your vet today.
Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see.
Take a photo or short video to show the vet.
Keep fresh water available.
Let your dog rest somewhere calm.

Don't

Do not give any human medicine.
Do not try to make your dog vomit unless your vet specifically tells you to.
Do not wait if it gets worse.

What it can mean

Eating something harmful can poison or block your dog.^[1] A gut blockage is very serious and can kill a dog if it is not treated quickly.^[1]

Possible causes

Poisoning
Gut blockage

What the experts say

“Vomiting ; Diarrhoea ; Twitching ; Low energy (lethargy) ; Reduced appetite ; Standing with a hunched back or adopting a ‘bowing’ or ‘prayer’ position due to tummy pain ; Constipation (straining or not being able to poo)”
— PDSA [1]

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

Can eating something harmful be serious?

It can poison or block your dog, and a gut blockage can be very serious and may kill a dog if it is not treated quickly.^[1]

What signs can happen after a dog eats something harmful?

Signs can include vomiting, diarrhoea, twitching, low energy, reduced appetite, a hunched or ‘bowing’ or ‘prayer’ position due to tummy pain, and constipation.^[1]

Should I make my dog vomit?

Never try to make your dog vomit unless your vet specifically tells you to.^[1]

Sources

PDSA

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