Dog has eaten rat poison (rodenticide)
Phone the vet immediately with the product name and active ingredient — the antidote depends on the chemical and works only within a defined window.
Recognise the signs
- Witnessed eating, or evidence (chewed packaging, missing pellets)
- Anticoagulant rodenticides (warfarin-type): symptoms appear 2–5 days after ingestion — bruising, bleeding gums, blood in urine or stool, lethargy, pale gums, collapse
- Bromethalin: tremors, seizures, paralysis within 24 hours
- Cholecalciferol (vitamin D-based): increased thirst, vomiting, kidney failure within 24–48 hours
- Zinc phosphide: vomiting, abdominal pain, collapse within hours; produces toxic gas — ventilate the area
First aid steps
- Phone the vet or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 immediately.
- Find the packaging or the product name and active ingredient — vital for treatment.
- Note the approximate amount and time of ingestion.
- Bring the packaging to the vet.
- Drive to the practice without delay — many rodenticides have antidotes that work only if given early.
Do NOT
- Do not wait to see if symptoms develop — anticoagulant rodenticides cause no symptoms for days while damage accumulates.
- Do not give vitamin K from human supplements without vet direction — wrong form (K3 versus K1) and dose.
- Do not assume small amounts are safe — some second-generation anticoagulants are highly potent.
- Do not induce vomiting at home unless told to by a vet.
- Do not assume the bait box was 'pet-proof' — many are not.
While transporting to the vet
- Bring the bait or packaging.
- Phone ahead — emesis, vitamin K1 (for anticoagulants), and IV fluids may be prepared.
- Note the dog's weight.
- If zinc phosphide suspected, do not transport in a closed car with you in it for prolonged periods — toxic gas hazard; crack windows.
When to phone the vet immediately
- Any known or suspected rodenticide ingestion regardless of amount or current symptoms
- Bleeding from gums, nose, urine, or stool
- Pale gums, lethargy, weakness, collapse
- Tremors, seizures
- Increased thirst and urination after possible exposure
Common causes
- Bait stations in farmyards, garages, sheds, and gardens
- Loose pellets used incorrectly
- Eating poisoned rodents or birds (secondary poisoning)
- Bin-raiding for discarded packaging
- Neighbouring property bait drifting onto walks
What the vet will need to know
- Product brand and full name
- Active ingredient (read from packaging)
- Colour and form of bait (block, pellets, paste)
- Approximate amount eaten
- Time of ingestion
- Dog's weight
- Any current symptoms
- Possibility of secondary poisoning (eaten a poisoned rodent)
Aftercare
- Anticoagulant rodenticides: oral vitamin K1 for 2–6 weeks depending on product, plus monitoring of clotting.
- Bromethalin: symptomatic and supportive care; no specific antidote.
- Cholecalciferol: IV fluids, calcium and phosphate management for several days.
- Repeat blood tests at intervals depending on product.
- Identify and remove the source at home; switch to enclosed bait stations or non-poison methods.
Prevention
- Use enclosed bait stations only, secured against pet access.
- Avoid loose pellets entirely.
- Brief gardeners, farm staff, and contractors on dog access.
- On walks in farmyards or rural areas, keep dogs on lead near bait stations.
- Use snap traps, electric traps, or professional pest control rather than poison where possible.
- Keep packaging photographed in your phone — enables faster vet treatment if anything goes wrong.
Frequently asked questions
Why does it matter what brand the rat poison is?
Different active ingredients have different mechanisms, antidotes, and treatment timelines. Anticoagulants need vitamin K1; bromethalin needs symptomatic care; cholecalciferol needs aggressive fluid therapy and electrolyte management. Without identifying the product, the vet has to treat blindly. Always bring the packaging.
What if my dog ate a poisoned rat?
Secondary poisoning is a real risk, particularly with second-generation anticoagulants that persist in dead rodents. Phone the vet, describe the situation, and follow advice. The poison's potency is usually diluted by the time it passes through the rat, but bromethalin and some others remain dangerous via secondary route.
How long until I know my dog is in the clear?
Depends entirely on the product. Anticoagulant rodenticide: 2–6 weeks of vitamin K1 plus repeat clotting tests. Bromethalin: 24–48 hours of close observation. Cholecalciferol: 1 week of bloods and fluids. The vet will give a specific monitoring schedule for the product involved.