Dog Ate a Vape or Nicotine Pouch: What to Do Right Now

Nicotine from a chewed vape, pod, pouch, gum or cigarette can poison a dog within an hour. Here are the signs, poison-line numbers and first steps.

Quick answer: If your dog chewed a vape, e-liquid pod, nicotine pouch, nicotine gum or tobacco, call ASPCA Animal Poison Control or Pet Poison Helpline now, before signs start, and head to an emergency vet. Pet Poison Helpline says nicotine signs usually start within 15 minutes to an hour and include drooling, vomiting, agitation and a racing heart. Do not make your dog vomit unless a poison line tells you to.

This article is general information, not a diagnosis. If you think your pet is in danger, go to the nearest emergency animal hospital.

What should I do right now if my dog ate a vape or nicotine?

If a dog chewed a vape, pod, nicotine pouch, nicotine gum or tobacco, take the rest away, keep the package, note the time and how much is missing, and call a poison line on the way to an emergency vet. Do not wait for signs: Pet Poison Helpline says to get help immediately for any amount of nicotine.

• ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply).
• Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661 (a per-incident fee applies).

Both poison lines answer 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Pet Poison Helpline says home care is not generally possible after a pet eats an e-cigarette product, because signs can be severe even when the amount is small.

The ASPCA says leftover packaging helps identify what and how much your pet ate, so bring the device, pod, pouch can or wrapper, and know your dog's breed, age, weight and health problems. Call the emergency vet ahead. Do not make your dog vomit or give any home remedy unless a poison line or vet tells you to.

How dangerous is nicotine for dogs?

Nicotine is very dangerous for dogs: Pet Poison Helpline says even a single e-cigarette cartridge can cause signs in a 50-pound dog and can be fatal for a dog under 10 pounds, so any pod, cartridge, refill, pouch or disposable vape a dog chews is an emergency whatever its size.

The FDA says a dog or a cat wouldn't have to eat many cigarettes or cigars to get sick. E-liquid holds concentrated nicotine, and the ASPCA says sweet scents and tastes make vape products especially appealing to pets.

Nicotine is absorbed through the gut, the skin and the lining of the mouth. A pod or pouch your dog chewed and spat out still counts, and so does e-liquid licked off a floor or fur. Never assume a used pouch or empty-looking pod is harmless; let the poison line decide.

Nicotine poisoning can come in two phases: a dog first turns agitated, shaky and fast-breathing, and later can go quiet, weak, stuporous or comatose.

Signs of nicotine poisoning in dogs and how fast they start

Pet Poison Helpline says nicotine signs in dogs usually start within 15 minutes to an hour, beginning with drooling, vomiting, agitation, tremors and a fast heart rate, and severe cases can progress to weakness, seizures, collapse and coma.

A dog that turns quiet, weak or floppy after being agitated or shaky is getting worse, not calming down: go to an emergency vet now.

Pet Poison Helpline also lists diarrhea, fast or shallow breathing, a very slow or irregular heartbeat, a weak pulse, dilated pupils, a raised body temperature, wobbliness, blue gums and cardiac arrest. Pet Poison Helpline says signs can show 15 to 30 minutes after a pet eats e-liquid and 15 to 90 minutes after tobacco. Call a poison line on the way to the ER for every row in this table.

Sign	May mean	Do this
No signs yet	Signs start fast	Call line, go to ER
Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea	Early signs	ER now
Agitation, shaking, fast breathing	Early signs	ER now
Racing, slow or uneven heartbeat	Serious	ER now
Dilated pupils, weak pulse	Serious	ER now
Quiet, weak or wobbly after agitation	Getting worse	ER now
Seizure, collapse, blue or gray gums	Emergency	ER, call ahead

Why a chewed vape pen adds battery and plastic risks

A chewed vape pen is an emergency-vet trip even if no liquid leaked, because the ASPCA says its battery can burn the mouth, throat or stomach and its plastic, metal and glass parts can block the gut or cause sharp injuries.

The ASPCA notes that the small battery in an e-cigarette is easy to swallow. Pet Poison Helpline says lithium and disc batteries can burn the food pipe or gut and that mouth ulcers may not be seen for hours. A swallowed battery means the ER now, even with no signs, and you should not make your dog vomit; see what to do when a dog eats a battery.

Pet Poison Helpline also says a chewed device may cause a foreign-body blockage. A dog with a blockage can seem fine at first; read about a swallowed object blocking a dog's gut.

Not every vape holds nicotine. The ASPCA says some vape products contain THC or CBD, so tell the poison line exactly what the device was. A THC vape cartridge is its own emergency; see what happens when a dog eats THC.

Nicotine gum, lozenges and pouches: check the label for xylitol

Some nicotine gums, lozenges and pouches also contain xylitol, a sweetener that is toxic to dogs, so a dog that ate any of them goes to an emergency vet now, with the exact product name ready for the poison line.

The ASPCA calls xylitol common in nicotine products such as gums and pouches, and Pet Poison Helpline says xylitol causes low blood sugar and liver injury in dogs, so one piece of gum can carry two poisons at once. The FDA says xylitol can drop a dog's blood sugar within 10 to 60 minutes, though serious effects sometimes don't show for 12 to 24 hours, so a dog that seems fine still goes in now.

Photograph the ingredient list; if the label is gone or unreadable, assume xylitol. The same label rule applies to sugar-free mints and candy; see candy canes, peppermint and xylitol.

Cigarettes, butts, cigars and chewing tobacco

Call a poison line for even a single cigarette butt, and go to an emergency vet for any cigarette, cigar, snuff or chewing tobacco a dog eats, because Pet Poison Helpline says to get help immediately for any quantity of nicotine, and the FDA calls a swallowed cigarette, cigar or chewing tobacco an emergency.

The FDA adds nicotine refill capsules and refill liquid to that list and says a pet should get to a vet or emergency clinic as quickly as possible. A single cigarette butt still needs a call: the poison line decides whether your dog goes in, and a butt is never something to watch at home without calling.

Tell the line how many butts, cigarettes or pouches may be missing, check ashtrays and patio tables for more, and bring the package or device.

Product	Extra risk	Do this
E-liquid pod or refill	Strong nicotine	ER now
Vape pen or disposable	Battery, shards	ER now
THC vape cartridge	THC, battery	ER now
Nicotine pouch	Some have xylitol	ER now
Nicotine gum or lozenge	Some have xylitol	ER now
Cigarette, cigar, snuff	Nicotine	ER now
Chewing tobacco	Nicotine	ER now
Cigarette butt	Nicotine	Call line now

Should I make my dog throw up after eating nicotine?

No: do not make a dog vomit after eating nicotine unless a poison line or vet tells you to, because Pet Poison Helpline says inducing vomiting is often not recommended when nicotine signs start so fast, and a swallowed vape battery can do more damage on the way up.

Never make a pet vomit at home if:

• The dog chewed or swallowed any battery, including the one inside a vape.
• The dog is already vomiting, wobbly, weak, sleepy, trembling or seizing.
• The pet is a cat.

Do not give antacids, milk, food, hydrogen peroxide or any home remedy unless a poison line or vet tells you to. Pet Poison Helpline says antacids backfire, because stomach acid naturally slows nicotine absorption, and the Merck Veterinary Manual says antacids should be avoided because they can increase nicotine absorption. For more, see whether you should make your dog throw up.

What will the emergency vet do for nicotine poisoning?

There is no antidote for nicotine poisoning, the FDA says, so an emergency vet treats the signs: the vet may empty the stomach if it is safe, give activated charcoal and IV fluids, and closely watch the heart and nervous system while controlling tremors and seizures.

X-rays may be needed if your dog swallowed a battery, a pod or pieces of a device. Pet Poison Helpline says signs can last several hours in minor exposures and 24 hours or more in severe cases, so a hospital stay is possible. Tell the team if the vape, gum or pouch may have held xylitol (the ASPCA says vape products may contain it), and after discharge go back right away if any sign returns.

Cats and e-liquid: what to do if a cat licked vape juice

A cat can get nicotine poisoning from e-liquid, Pet Poison Helpline says, so if a cat licked spilled vape juice or got it on its fur, call a poison line now, be ready to leave for an emergency vet, and follow the line's advice on washing the fur.

Keep your cat from licking its fur until it is washed, and wear gloves to wipe up the spill. If the poison line says to wash the fur at home, the ASPCA's general home-washing advice is:

• Put on rubber gloves and old clothes first.
• Wash with mild liquid dish soap (not dishwasher detergent) mixed with warm water.
• Avoid the eyes and ears, rinse well, and skip the blow dryer.

Never make a cat vomit at home. If your cat shows any sign, such as drooling, vomiting, agitation, trembling, wobbling, weakness, going unusually quiet, changed breathing, collapse or a seizure, go to an emergency vet now and do not stop to bathe it first.

How to keep nicotine away from pets during the holidays

To keep nicotine away from pets during holiday visits, ask guests to keep vapes, pods, pouches and gum zipped in bags stored up high, keep coats and bags off the bed and floor, and use a sealed, pet-proof trash can for butts, pods and empty pouches.

The ASPCA asks owners to make sure visitors store their products safely. Its tips: store devices, cartridges, liquids and batteries in closed cabinets or containers; keep them off counters, tables and nightstands; refill vapes away from pets, and clean spills right away.

For December parties and New Year's Eve, give guests a closed room for bags, put lidded ashtrays outside, and check the floor and couch after everyone leaves.

When a video visit helps, and when it does not

A video visit is not the first step after a dog eats nicotine: a chewed vape, pod, pouch, nicotine gum or cigarette goes to a poison line and an emergency vet, because a video visit cannot empty the stomach, give IV fluids, monitor heart rhythm or control seizures. Any drooling, vomiting, agitation, tremors, wobbliness, weakness, a racing or very slow heartbeat, fast or hard breathing, pale or blue gums, collapse or a seizure means the ER now, not a video slot.

RexVet, a nonprofit online vet service, serves pets located in Florida, New York and Virginia by video visit. After a poison line or emergency vet has already assessed the exposure and told you to watch your dog at home, a $64.99 live video visit with a licensed RexVet vet, a veterinarian licensed in your pet's state, can help: going over discharge instructions, checking your dog's alertness, gum color, breathing and walking on camera, or planning how to nicotine-proof the house before guests come. The veterinarian can also look at a pet with mild sneezing or watery eyes from vape vapor that cleared in fresh air, as long as there is no drooling, vomiting or breathing trouble.

Live video visits run about 8 AM to 11 PM ET when a slot is open, and a same-day or holiday slot is not guaranteed. Book a video visit

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much nicotine is toxic to a dog?

Any amount of nicotine can be dangerous to a dog, so call a poison line now instead of trying to work out a safe amount. Pet Poison Helpline says even a small amount can be dangerous: a single e-cigarette cartridge can cause signs in a 50-pound dog and can be fatal for a dog under 10 pounds. Head to an emergency vet and call a poison line on the way. ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply). Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661 (a per-incident fee applies).

My dog chewed my vape and is drooling. What do I do?

Go to an emergency vet now, and call a poison line on the way. Drooling is one of the first nicotine signs Pet Poison Helpline lists, and the ASPCA says a vape battery can burn the mouth, throat or stomach. Bring the device and any pieces, and do not make your dog vomit. Pet Poison Helpline says mouth ulcers from a battery may not be seen for hours.

My dog ate a cigarette butt and seems fine. What should I do?

Call a poison line now, even though your dog seems fine: Pet Poison Helpline says to get help immediately for any amount of nicotine. Signs can start 15 to 90 minutes after a dog eats tobacco, so a normal-looking dog early on is not proof it is safe. Tell the line how many butts were eaten, when, and your dog's weight, and do not make your dog vomit unless it tells you to. Go to an emergency vet if the line says so, or right away at any sign.

How long does nicotine poisoning last in dogs?

Pet Poison Helpline says nicotine signs can last several hours in mild cases and 24 hours or more in severe ones. There is no point at which a dog is known to be safe without a vet's check. A dog that turns quiet, weak or floppy after being agitated or shaky is getting worse, not recovering. If the product also held xylitol, the FDA says serious effects sometimes don't show for 12 to 24 hours. An emergency vet watches heart rate, breathing and the nervous system until the signs are gone.

Can vape smoke or cigarette smoke hurt my dog or cat?

It can: Pet Poison Helpline says breathing e-cigarette vapor can irritate a pet's nose, eyes and throat and cause drooling, vomiting or trouble breathing. Move your pet into fresh air right away. Trouble breathing, blue or gray gums, tremors or collapse means an emergency vet now, and signs that do not quickly clear in fresh air need emergency care too. Pets with asthma, bronchitis or airborne allergies are at greater risk. The FDA says some studies show vape aerosol may expose people, and so their pets, to higher-than-normal amounts of nicotine. Separately, the FDA says cats living in homes where people smoke tobacco have a two- to four-times higher risk of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Can an online vet help if my dog ate a vape or nicotine pouch in Florida, New York or Virginia?

No: for a pet located in Florida, New York or Virginia, swallowed nicotine needs a poison line and an emergency vet, not a video visit. Emptying the stomach, activated charcoal, IV fluids, heart monitoring, seizure control and X-rays all need hands-on care, and the FDA says there is no antidote. Once a poison line or emergency vet has said your dog can be watched at home, a licensed RexVet vet can review the discharge notes and check alertness, gums, breathing and walking on camera. No prescription is promised, and heart-rate or seizure medicine after a poisoning is in-person care. If medicine comes up for another reason, Florida s.474.2021 limits a prescription based only on a video visit to FDA-approved animal drugs used as labeled, for up to 14 days (1 month for products labeled only for flea and tick control), with no renewal without an in-person exam. Human-labeled drugs, controlled substances and compounded antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral or antiparasitic medicines need an in-person exam or timely visits where the animal is kept. Federal rules (21 CFR 530.3) require an in-person vet-client-patient relationship for extralabel or human-drug use. In Virginia the exam may be done electronically, and New York's veterinary telehealth bill (A1782) is still in committee, so the rules there are unsettled. RexVet is not a pharmacy, and a pharmacy transfer fee applies if RexVet sends a prescription to an outside pharmacy.