Antifreeze is one of the most dangerous things a dog can swallow, and it is easy to come across. Most car antifreeze contains ethylene glycol, which tastes sweet, so dogs are drawn to drips under cars, spills in garages and puddles on driveways, especially through autumn and winter. As little as a teaspoon or two can be enough to seriously harm a small dog. The body turns ethylene glycol into chemicals that damage the kidneys, and the early signs (wobbliness, vomiting, extra thirst) can fade before the real harm shows. The good news is that there is an antidote, and dogs treated within the first few hours have a much better outlook. If you think your dog has had even a little antifreeze, call your vet straight away rather than waiting to see what happens.
Why Antifreeze Is Dangerous
Most antifreeze contains ethylene glycol, which tastes sweet to dogs. Once swallowed, the body turns it into chemicals that damage the kidneys, usually within one to three days. Early on your dog may seem wobbly or drunk, then appear to recover for a while before the kidney damage shows, so a dog that looks better is not out of danger yet. There is an antidote, but it needs to be given early, ideally within eight hours of your dog swallowing it.
What To Do If Your Dog Eats Antifreeze
Treat this as an emergency, even if your dog seems completely fine. Call your vet or nearest emergency vet straight away and tell them it was antifreeze. The antidote works best within eight hours, so please don't wait for signs to appear. Take the bottle, or a photo of the label, with you if you can. Don't try to make your dog sick unless your vet tells you to.
Use the Emergency Risk Tool
Common Mistakes
Watch out: Thinking a quick lick from a puddle on the driveway is harmless, or waiting to see whether symptoms appear. A dog can look perfectly well for hours while the damage is already happening, and the antidote works best within the first eight hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much antifreeze is dangerous for a dog?
Very little. As little as a teaspoon or two of standard ethylene glycol antifreeze can be enough to seriously harm a small dog, and a larger dog is not safe from a bigger lick or a puddle. Because there is no safe amount, treat any antifreeze your dog has swallowed as an emergency.
Why do dogs drink antifreeze?
Ethylene glycol tastes sweet, so dogs find it appealing rather than off-putting. Drips from a car radiator, a spilled bottle in the garage or a puddle on a driveway can all tempt a curious dog.
What are the signs my dog has drunk antifreeze?
In the first few hours dogs often look wobbly or drunk, vomit, and drink and wee a lot, and some breathe fast or pant. They can then seem to recover, before signs of kidney damage appear one to three days later: weeing very little or not at all, tiredness, loss of appetite and sometimes seizures. Don't wait for these signs - call your vet as soon as you suspect antifreeze.
Is there an antidote for antifreeze poisoning?
Yes. Vets can give an antidote that stops the body turning ethylene glycol into the chemicals that harm the kidneys. It works best when given early, ideally within the first eight hours, which is why getting to a vet quickly makes such a difference. Most dogs stay in the vet hospital for a few days on a drip while the antidote does its work.
Is pet-safe antifreeze really safer?
Antifreeze made with propylene glycol instead of ethylene glycol is much less harmful to pets. It is still not something your dog should drink, so store it safely and clean up spills, but it is a far better choice for a household with a dog.