Is Rat & Mouse Poison Toxic to Dogs?
Emergency🚨 Dangerous — act now
Every rodenticide ingestion is an emergency — different baits kill in different ways (internal bleeding, brain swelling, calcium overload), and some have no antidote.
Rodenticides are engineered to be eaten, and dogs oblige. Anticoagulant baits cause internal bleeding that appears 3–5 days later (treatable with vitamin K if caught); bromethalin causes brain swelling with no antidote; cholecalciferol floods the body with calcium and is among the hardest to treat. The green/blue block color tells you nothing about which type — the packaging does.
What makes it dangerous: Varies: anticoagulants, bromethalin, or cholecalciferol
Symptoms to watch for
- Often NONE for days — don't wait for symptoms
- Bruising, pale gums, bloody stool (anticoagulants)
- Tremors, seizures (bromethalin)
- Extreme thirst, vomiting (cholecalciferol)
What to do right now
- Call a vet/hotline immediately — even if your dog looks perfect
- Find the package: the active ingredient changes the entire treatment
- Estimate how much is missing from the bait station
Sources: ASPCA Animal Poison Control · Pet Poison Helpline. Educational reference — not veterinary advice.