My dog ate mothballs — what should I do?
🚨 RED — Go to an emergency vet NOW
Naphthalene damages red blood cells; paradichlorobenzene causes tremors.
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
Naphthalene damages red blood cells; paradichlorobenzene causes tremors.
Symptoms to watch for
Vomiting, mothball breath, weakness, pale gums, tremors.
When: Hours to days
Frequently asked questions
Is mothballs dangerous for dogs?
Yes. Naphthalene damages red blood cells; paradichlorobenzene causes tremors. Treat it as an emergency and contact an emergency vet or animal poison control immediately.
What are the symptoms if my dog ate mothballs?
Vomiting, mothball breath, weakness, pale gums, tremors.
How soon do symptoms appear after a dog eats mothballs?
Hours to days
What should I do if my dog ate mothballs?
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: naphthalene, moth balls · Category: Chemical · Last reviewed 2026-10-14