My dog ate eye drops & nasal sprays (visine, afrin) — what should I do?
🚨 RED — Go to an emergency vet NOW
Imidazoline decongestants (oxymetazoline, tetrahydrozoline) cause a dangerous drop in heart rate and blood pressure when chewed.
What to do now
- Call an emergency vet or animal poison control right now, even if your dog seems fine — signs can be delayed.
- Head to the nearest emergency vet; call ahead on the way.
- Remove any remaining material and keep packaging/labels — the vet will want product names and amounts.
- Do not induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control expert tells you to.
- Note the time it was eaten, roughly how much, and your dog's weight.
Why it's a problem
Imidazoline decongestants (oxymetazoline, tetrahydrozoline) cause a dangerous drop in heart rate and blood pressure when chewed.
Symptoms to watch for
Vomiting, slow heart, weakness, collapse.
When: 30 min - 4 h
Frequently asked questions
Is eye drops & nasal sprays (visine, afrin) dangerous for dogs?
Yes. Imidazoline decongestants (oxymetazoline, tetrahydrozoline) cause a dangerous drop in heart rate and blood pressure when chewed. Treat it as an emergency and contact an emergency vet or animal poison control immediately.
What are the symptoms if my dog ate eye drops & nasal sprays (visine, afrin)?
Vomiting, slow heart, weakness, collapse.
How soon do symptoms appear after a dog eats eye drops & nasal sprays (visine, afrin)?
30 min - 4 h
What should I do if my dog ate eye drops & nasal sprays (visine, afrin)?
Call an emergency vet or animal poison control right now, even if your dog seems fine — signs can be delayed. Head to the nearest emergency vet; call ahead on the way.
Who can I call for help?
ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661, both 24/7 (fees may apply), or your nearest emergency vet.
Dose guidance
No reliable dog-specific threshold is published for home use, so any amount should be discussed with your vet or a poison hotline.
Sources
Last verified against these sources: 2026-10-13. Where sources disagree, PawPanic uses the more conservative guidance.
Also known as: visine, afrin, oxymetazoline, tetrahydrozoline, nasal spray, eye drops · Category: Medication · Last reviewed 2026-10-14