What Happens If Your Dog Eats Ant Bait?

Dogs love to get into things. If ant bait is within reach, it is likely that the dog will try to eat it at least once. Depending on the product that you are using, you may get different results from ingesting such a thing. Having the ant bait packaging available for the ingredient list, Poison Control numbers and any other helpful tips is always a good idea.

  1. Ingredient List

    • Find the ant bait product packaging, if you still have it. Look at the ingredient list. You need to know what kind of chemicals you are dealing with so you know what your next step should be. It is also helpful when you are calling Poison Control or talking to your vet for further instructions.

    Call for Help

    • Look for an emergency number on the packaging for poison control or other helpful numbers. These are provided so you can get an immediate, well-informed consultation on that specific product. If there is no number on the packaging or you don't have it, call the National Animal Poison Control at 1-800-548-2423. You can also call your local Poison Control Center by looking in the front part of your phone book for the number or look online for this local information. You should also call your vet for assistance.

    Arsenic

    • Most likely the ant bait will not contain arsenic, but if it does, this is poisonous and you should seek immediate poison control treatment. If the dog has ingested ant bait that contains arsenic, you may notice certain symptoms. Excitability, excessive drooling, uncoordinated gait, tremors or weakness of the muscles are all possible symptoms. You should induce vomiting by giving the dog 1 teaspoon of ipecac syrup for every 10 pounds of the dog's weight. You can also place ½ to 1 teaspoon of salt at the back of the tongue to induce vomiting.

    Boric Acid

    • It is likely the ant bait will contain boric acid. This chemical is not toxic if it is ingested in small amounts. However, if the dog has ingested five grams or more of boric acid, this can be fatal. Symptoms of excessive boric acid ingestion in dogs may include sluggishness, abnormal gait, breathing difficulties, vomiting, loss of appetite or even seizure. You should call your vet for assistance. They will most likely tell you to wait and see if anything happens, or they may instruct you to induce vomiting. The same vomit inducing procedure for arsenic should be used. Make sure the dog gets plenty of water regardless to prevent dehydration.

    Avermectin

    • Avermectin is often found in ant bait as well. This ingredient is actually used for internal and external use for fleas and parasites on animals. This shouldn't be harmful in small doses, but it is a good idea to contact your vet or Poison Control just in case.

    Plastic Shards

    • Look around for the plastic part of the ant bait. If you can't find it, you should be concerned that the dog has eaten the plastic. This can be harmful to the digestive tract because the sharp edges and corners can cause damage. The vet should be contacted for further consultation.

    Skin Care

    • It is possible that the dog may have had skin contact with the ant bait as well. This may be the case if the ant bait was in spray or powder form. You will either need to give the dog a full bath or just wash off the affected area with soap and warm water. This will prevent the dog from licking the ant bait off its body and swallowing it.