How to Tell if a Dog Died by Rat Poison

Rat poison is lethal to both rodents and common household pets, like dogs. Rat poison, once consumed or ingested, will cause a dog's blood to thin and as a result cause internal bleeding. According to the Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, rodenticides contain either a short-acting toxin like warfarin or a longer-acting toxin, like diphacinone, brodifacoum or bromadiolone, and works by preventing the liver from producing certain coagulation or clotting factors, which in turn causes bleeding and then death. Knowing the signs of rat poisoning is key in determining whether a dog died by rodenticide.

Things You'll Need

  • Protective gloves
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Locate and examine the dog's stool. Rat poison bait or pellets are usually bright green in color. Dogs that consume rat poison will produce stools consisting of the same bright-colored green. Since rat poison causes internal bleeding, check the stool for signs of blood as well. Use protective gloves when examining the dog's stool.

    • 2

      Check the dog's abdomen. The internal bleeding, brought on by the rat poison, will enlarge the dog's abdomen. The abdomen may also feel very firm to the touch.

    • 3

      Take the dog to a professional veterinarian to get a full examination to determine whether the dog died as a result of consuming rat poison. The veterinarian will take a few X-rays of the dog and take a few blood samples, among other tests.