My dog ate rat / mouse poison (unknown type) — what should I do?
🚨 RED — Go to an emergency vet NOW
Anticoagulant, bromethalin, cholecalciferol and phosphide types all need urgent treatment and look alike. Bring the package.
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
Anticoagulant, bromethalin, cholecalciferol and phosphide types all need urgent treatment and look alike. Bring the package.
Symptoms to watch for
Bleeding, weakness (anticoagulants); tremors/paralysis (bromethalin); thirst/kidney failure (vit D3); vomiting/bloat (phosphides).
When: Hours to 3-5 days (anticoagulants delayed)
Frequently asked questions
Is rat / mouse poison (unknown type) dangerous for dogs?
Yes. Anticoagulant, bromethalin, cholecalciferol and phosphide types all need urgent treatment and look alike. Bring the package. Treat it as an emergency and contact an emergency vet or animal poison control immediately.
What are the symptoms if my dog ate rat / mouse poison (unknown type)?
Bleeding, weakness (anticoagulants); tremors/paralysis (bromethalin); thirst/kidney failure (vit D3); vomiting/bloat (phosphides).
How soon do symptoms appear after a dog eats rat / mouse poison (unknown type)?
Hours to 3-5 days (anticoagulants delayed)
What should I do if my dog ate rat / mouse poison (unknown type)?
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: rat poison, mouse poison, d-con, tomcat, bait station · Category: Pest control · Last reviewed 2026-10-14