Question
My dog ate something he shouldn't. What now?
Sunny, owner notes“I wish my dog lived as long as I do.”Updated
I'm an owner, not a vet. This is not veterinary advice, so check anything medical with your own vet.
Short answer
Call your vet and tell them what your diabetic dog ate and how he seems. Don't balance it out with extra insulin, a missed meal or a home remedy. If he might have eaten xylitol, found in some sugar-free gum, get emergency help now, even if he seems fine. The same goes for weakness, collapse or a seizure.
I never give insulin amounts here. Yours comes from your vet's written plan.
What to know at home
An extra meal is one thing. Something poisonous is a different and more serious problem. Keep the wrapper or ingredient list so the vet can see what he ate. Don't try to make him sick unless a vet tells you to.
What to write down
- Food or product and ingredients
- Time and your best estimate of what is missing
- Treatment times and current symptoms
What to ask next
If you think he ate something poisonous, tell the vet rather than trying to judge the risk from a Google search. Take the packaging with you if they ask you to come in.
Sources
- Which foods should a diabetic dog avoid?Foods like xylitol that are dangerous
- Emergency or low blood sugar: call your vet nowWhen weakness or a seizure means call now
- Family and guests keep giving him sweets and snacks. What can I do?Handling guests who share snacks
- When the day goes wrong: urgent helpUrgent help when the day goes wrong
Every outside source I used is listed on the Sources page.
Related
Q&A
My diabetic dog ate only part of the meal
If he leaves part of his meal, note what's left. If you've already given insulin, call your vet.
Q&A
My diabetic dog won't eat — what now?
Call your vet before the next injection is due.
Urgent help
Emergency or low blood sugar
Call a vet now if your dog is weak, collapsed or having a seizure.