My dog ate zinc phosphide (mole/gopher bait) — what should I do?
🚨 RED — Go to an emergency vet NOW
Releases phosphine gas in the stomach - dangerous to the dog and to people nearby.
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
Releases phosphine gas in the stomach - dangerous to the dog and to people nearby.
Symptoms to watch for
Vomiting (rotten-fish odor), bloat, breathing trouble, seizures.
When: 15 min - 4 h
⚠️ Vomit can release toxic gas - ventilate the car on the way to the vet.
Frequently asked questions
Is zinc phosphide (mole/gopher bait) dangerous for dogs?
Yes. Releases phosphine gas in the stomach - dangerous to the dog and to people nearby. Treat it as an emergency and contact an emergency vet or animal poison control immediately.
What are the symptoms if my dog ate zinc phosphide (mole/gopher bait)?
Vomiting (rotten-fish odor), bloat, breathing trouble, seizures.
How soon do symptoms appear after a dog eats zinc phosphide (mole/gopher bait)?
15 min - 4 h
Is there anything else to know about zinc phosphide (mole/gopher bait)?
Vomit can release toxic gas - ventilate the car on the way to the vet.
What should I do if my dog ate zinc phosphide (mole/gopher bait)?
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: mole bait, gopher bait · Category: Pest control · Last reviewed 2026-10-14