Food poisoning in dogs usually happens after a dog eats spoiled, moldy or contaminated food, from the trash, a compost pile, raw meat or a recalled pet food. Most cases cause vomiting and diarrhea that settle within a day or two. Moldy food is the exception: it can cause tremors and seizures within hours and needs a vet right away. Here’s how to tell the difference and what to do.
Yes, dogs can get food poisoning, despite their tough stomachs. Mild cases (“garbage gut”) often improve with rest, water and a bland diet. Call your vet for moldy food, tremors, blood in vomit or stool, repeated vomiting, lethargy, or signs lasting more than 24 hours, and always for puppies, seniors and small dogs. Don’t give human medicines.
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What Causes Food Poisoning in Dogs?
Dogs evolved as scavengers, so they handle some spoiled food better than we do. They’re still far from immune. Canine food poisoning has a few main causes:
| Cause | Common Sources | Typical Signs |
|---|---|---|
| Bacteria (Salmonella, E. coli, Clostridium, Campylobacter, Listeria) | Raw or undercooked meat, eggs, spoiled leftovers, contaminated pet food | Vomiting, diarrhea (sometimes bloody), fever, low energy |
| Mold toxins (mycotoxins) | Moldy bread, cheese, nuts, leftovers, compost bins | Vomiting, tremors, wobbliness, high temperature, seizures |
| “Garbage gut” (dietary indiscretion) | Trash raids, greasy scraps, dead animals, food left outside | Vomiting, diarrhea, gas, belly pain |
| Recalled or contaminated pet food | Products with bacteria or toxins such as aflatoxin | Stomach upset; some toxins affect the liver |
This is different from eating a toxic food, like grapes, chocolate, onions or xylitol, which can harm dogs even when perfectly fresh. For those, see our toxic foods fridge chart.
Canine Food Poisoning Symptoms
Signs usually start a few hours to a day after eating the bad food. Watch for:
- Vomiting, drooling or retching
- Diarrhea, sometimes with mucus or blood
- Loss of appetite and low energy
- Belly pain: a hunched back, restlessness or not wanting to be touched
- Fever or shivering
- Gas and loud tummy noises
- Tremors, stumbling, agitation or seizures (typical of moldy food, and always an emergency)
How long does food poisoning last in dogs?
Mild garbage gut often improves within 24 to 48 hours. Bacterial infections can last several days. Mold toxicity can start quickly; Pet Poison Helpline notes signs can develop fast and last 24 to 48 hours, even with treatment.
Why Moldy Food Is an Emergency
Molds that grow on old bread, cheese, nuts and food waste can produce tremorgenic mycotoxins. The Merck Veterinary Manual lists vomiting, tremors, poor coordination, a racing heart and seizures as the main signs in dogs. Compost bins and forgotten leftovers are common sources. If your dog ate anything moldy, call your vet even if your dog seems fine; early treatment can prevent the tremors.
Food Poisoning Treatment for Dogs: Mild Cases at Home
For a healthy adult dog with mild vomiting or diarrhea, no red-flag signs and nothing moldy or toxic eaten, your vet may suggest home care. A typical plan looks like this:
- Rest the stomach briefly. Many vets suggest holding food for a few hours (not water). Ask yours how long; never fast puppies or toy breeds without vet advice.
- Offer small amounts of water often. A few laps every 30-60 minutes is gentler than a full bowl.
- Start a bland diet of plain boiled chicken or lean turkey with white rice, in small meals 3-4 times a day. Our guide on what to feed a dog with diarrhea has portions.
- Return to normal food slowly over 3-5 days once stools firm up.
- Watch closely. If your dog gets worse at any point, call your vet.
Skip human medicines. Pepto-Bismol contains a salicylate (related to aspirin), and anti-diarrhea drugs can be dangerous for some dogs, including many herding breeds. Probiotics made for dogs may help some dogs recover; see our probiotics for dogs guide and ask your vet.
What the Vet Will Do
Treatment depends on the cause and how sick your dog is. It may include anti-nausea medicine, fluids under the skin or through an IV to fix dehydration, a bland or digestive diet, and tests such as blood work, a fecal test or X-rays to rule out a blockage. For mold toxins, vets may make the dog vomit or give activated charcoal early on, and use medicines to control tremors. Antibiotics are only used when there’s a clear reason, since many cases of diarrhea don’t need them.
Raw Food, Recalls and Food Safety
Can dogs get food poisoning from raw meat or raw chicken? Yes. Raw diets carry a higher risk of Salmonella and Listeria, and the FDA notes that pets can carry and shed Salmonella even when they look healthy, which puts people in the home at risk too. If you feed raw, read our raw food diet guide and follow strict kitchen hygiene.
Pet foods are occasionally recalled for bacteria or toxins. If your dog gets sick after starting a new bag, keep the packaging, note the lot number, check the FDA recall list, and tell your vet.
How to Prevent Food Poisoning
| Food | Safe Handling Tip |
|---|---|
| Kibble | Keep it in the original bag, inside a closed container, in a cool, dry place |
| Opened wet food | Cover and refrigerate; use within the time on the label, often a few days |
| Wet food in the bowl | Pick up uneaten food after about an hour, especially in warm weather |
| Homemade or cooked food | Cool quickly and refrigerate; throw out anything that smells off |
| Bowls | Wash food and water bowls daily with hot, soapy water |
| Trash and compost | Use lidded or locking bins, and fence off compost piles |
When can mild food poisoning be managed at home? In a healthy adult dog with mild signs and no red flags, after checking with your vet. Puppies, seniors and small dogs should be seen sooner.
Why is moldy food more dangerous? Some molds make toxins that cause tremors and seizures. Call your vet even if your dog seems fine.
Should owners give Pepto-Bismol? No, not without your vet's advice; it contains a salicylate, and human anti-diarrhea drugs can be risky for some dogs.
— Dr. Sarah Miller, DVM
Food Poisoning in Dogs: Quick Guide
✓ What helps
- Small sips of water, often
- A bland diet in small meals
- Locking trash and compost bins
- Keeping the food bag if illness starts
✕ Don’t
- Wait if your dog ate moldy food
- Give Pepto or human anti-diarrhea pills
- Ignore blood, tremors or repeated vomiting
- Leave wet food out for hours
Puppies, seniors, small dogs and dogs with health problems should see a vet sooner rather than later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dogs get food poisoning from cooked chicken?
Yes, if the chicken was left out too long, stored badly or undercooked. Cooked bones are a separate risk because they can splinter. Feed plain, fresh, boneless chicken only.
My dog ate spoiled food but seems fine. What should I do?
Watch for vomiting, diarrhea or low energy over the next 24 hours, and keep water available. Call your vet if it was moldy, if your dog is small or young, or if any signs appear.
Should I make my dog throw up after eating something bad?
Only if your vet or a poison hotline tells you to. Some situations make vomiting unsafe, and the wrong method can cause harm.
Can dogs get food poisoning from rice?
Cooked rice left at room temperature can grow Bacillus cereus, which can cause vomiting. Refrigerate leftover rice quickly and use it within a day or two.
Can my dog give me food poisoning?
Dogs can carry Salmonella and other bacteria, especially on raw diets. Wash your hands after feeding, handling bowls and picking up poop.
Is food poisoning the same as an upset stomach?
Food poisoning is one cause of an upset stomach. Others include sudden food changes, stress and illness. See our dog upset stomach guide.
For more health topics, see our dog nutrition and health guide.
The Bottom Line
Food poisoning in dogs is common, and most mild cases settle in a day or two with rest, water and a bland diet. Moldy food, tremors, blood, repeated vomiting and lethargy are different: those need a vet right away. Good storage, a dog-proof trash can and careful handling of raw food prevent most problems. Find more health guides in our Nutrition & Health section. This article is general information, not veterinary advice; see our Veterinary Disclaimer.
References & Sources
Written by CPD Nutrition Desk using the sources below. We are not affiliated with these organizations, and this guide is not a substitute for advice from your veterinarian.
- Pet Poison Helpline — My dog ate moldy food and is now vomiting
- Merck Veterinary Manual — Tremorgenic neuromycotoxicosis in dogs
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration — Get facts about salmonella
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration — FDA recall list