Activated Charcoal for Dogs: When It Can Help If Your Dog Ate Something Toxic

Dogs have a way of getting into things. Sometimes those things can be harmful - or even toxic - to their health. Toxins, such as chocolate and rat poison, can make your dog very sick and, in some cases, they can be fatal.

If your dog ingests a toxic substance, activated charcoal is often used to treat them. Here's what to know if your vet gives your pet activated charcoal.

Activated charcoal for dogs at a glance

What is activated charcoal for dogs, and how does it work?

Activated charcoal is an oral adsorbent. An adsorbent is a material that can draw another substance onto its surface.

Adsorption is different from absorption. To picture this difference, think of a sponge. When water soaks into a sponge, this is absorption. But if a sponge attracts water to its outside surface only, without the water going inside the sponge, it's called adsorption.

Activated charcoal can adsorb many toxins. When given orally - either as a paste, gel, or liquid - activated charcoal can adsorb or bind these substances before they get absorbed by your pet's gastrointestinal tract. Then, it carries the toxic substances through the digestive system until your dog poops them out.

Something to watch out for, though, is constipation. Your dog may get blocked up after taking activated charcoal. If this occurs, adsorbed toxins remaining in the GI tract may become loose and get absorbed by the body later on. To counteract this, some forms of activated charcoal contain sorbitol. Sorbitol speeds up bowel movements and the elimination of adsorbed toxins.

What is activated charcoal used for in dogs?

Activated charcoal is most often used to reduce the effects of a toxin in dogs.

Your veterinarian may use activated charcoal if your dog swallows:

• Prescription or over-the-counter human medications, such as acetaminophen

• Insecticides

• Household cleaners

• People foods that are harmful to dogs

• Rat or mouse poison

• Lawn and garden products

• Veterinary products and pet medications

• Chocolate

Activated charcoal isnot effective for some substances, including:

• Table salt

• Homemade playdough and paintballs (due to their salt content)

• Ethanol (alcoholic drinks)

• Ethylene glycol (antifreeze)

• Xylitol (artificial sweetener)

• Nitrates (processed meats)

• Heavy metals

• Caustic substances (battery acid or chlorine bleach)

Activated charcoal is most effective if it's given to dogs within an hour of toxin ingestion. It loses its effectiveness 4 hours after a dog swallows a toxic substance. If your pet shows signs of toxicity, such as vomiting, diarrhea, and tremors, activated charcoal will no longer help.

The FDA has not approved activated charcoal products for use in animals. It is used off-label, which is common in veterinary medicine.

What is the dosage of activated charcoal for dogs, and how is it given? You won't treat your dog with activated charcoal at home. It's typically given in a vet's office or animal hospital. The dose will depend on the toxin and your dog's weight.

Activated charcoal is always given by mouth - either in gel, paste, or liquid form. The powder form is often mixed with water or soft food and dispensed with a syringe.

Keep in mind that over-the-counter charcoal tablets and capsules don't effectively treat toxin ingestion. They may also contain ingredients that can harm your dog. You will need to take your dog to your vet or animal hospital for activated charcoal treatment.

If you're unsure about what to do when your dog ingests a toxic substance, call a pet poison hotline first. These services charge a consultation fee, but they can help you determine the best next steps for your dog.

What are the common side effects of activated charcoal in dogs?

There are several common side effects of activated charcoal in dogs. These include:

• Staining around the mouth, front legs, and chest

• Constipation

• Blackened poop

• Vomiting

Because constipation often occurs with activated charcoal, your vet may recommend a form that contains sorbitol. Sorbitol speeds up bowel movements. You may notice side effects from activated charcoal with sorbitol, such as:

• Large volumes of poop

• Soft poop or diarrhea

• Dehydration

• Stomach cramping

• Electrolyte imbalance

What are the most serious risks of activated charcoal for dogs?

Dogs can experience serious side effects from activated charcoal.

Aspiration

Activated charcoal should not be given more quickly than a dog is able to swallow it. If given too quickly and forced, aspiration is possible. Aspiration is where something given by mouth goes down the windpipe into the airway, not the digestive tract. Aspiration can lead to lung inflammation (pneumonitis) and pneumonia.

Hypernatremia

Hypernatremia is an imbalance of water and sodium and occurs when a dog either won't drink enough water or is unable to retain an adequate amount of water. It's a life-threatening condition for dogs.

When to avoid activated charcoal

Serious side effects can occur if you give your dog activated charcoal after they've swallowed:

• Mineral acids (hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid)

• Salt/sodium (homemade playdough, paintballs)

• Gasoline

• Battery acid

Activated charcoal should be avoided in animals with a higher risk for aspiration pneumonia, such as dogs with:

• Decreased gag reflex

• Megaesophagus

• Neurologic depressive effects (whether from medication or underlying disease)

Other situations where activated charcoal should not be used include:

• Recent GI surgery

• Upcoming GI surgery or endoscopy

• GI obstruction or ileus (poor or absent intestinal motion)

• Stomach ulcers

• Acute kidney injury

• Diabetic ketoacidosis

• Severe body fluid loss (hypovolemic shock)

Does activated charcoal interact with any dog medications?

Activated charcoal can lower the absorption of any oral medication, making it less effective. You should wait 2 to 4 hours to give your dog any medication after they've taken activated charcoal.

The following medications may cause constipation when combined with activated charcoal. This can increase the risk of GI blockage:

• Acepromazine

• Anticholinergic agents (atropine, meclizine)

• Antidiarrheal agents (loperamide)

• Antihistamines (diphenhydramine, hydroxyzine)

• Opioids (butorphanol, tramadol, hydrocodone)

• Tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline, clomipramine)

The following products may reduce activated charcoal's adsorption abilities:

• Dairy products

• Mineral oil

• Polyethylene glycol (MiraLAX, GoLYTELY)

What should you do if your dog misses a dose of activated charcoal?

You typically won't give your pet activated charcoal at home. In most cases, it's only given at a vet's office or animal hospital. Because of the narrow window of time during which it may be useful, giving extra doses is not usually beneficial.