Last Updated: 07/05/2025
Accidental ingestion of rodenticides is a common causes of poisoning in pets. Find out the symptoms to watch for and the treatment prognosis and prevention.
Author: Dr Jacqui Victor BVSc MANZCVS (Medicine of Cats)
Reading Time: 20 minutes - medium read
Accidental ingestion of rat or mouse baits (rodenticides) is unfortunately a common causes of poisoning in pets. Rodenticides are sold as hard bait blocks, soft baits, pellets, grains, powders and liquid, and are usually flavoured to make them enticing to rodents, however unfortunately this makes them attractive to dogs and cats as well.
There are a range of rodenticides available with the most common being anticoagulant rodenticides, which work by disrupting the normal blood clotting process. Pets can suffer from primary poisoning if they ingest the bait directly, or from secondary poisoning if they ingest a rodent which has consumed the bait (though typically multiple poisoned rodents would need to be consumed for toxicity to occur).
Vitamin K1 is needed for the body to make certain clotting factors that enable the blood to clot. Anticoagulant rodenticides inhibit an enzyme which is involved in the recycling and production of vitamin K1 and subsequent clotting factors, which prevents the blood from clotting and results in uncontrolled bleeding.
Anticoagulant rodenticides are classified as first-generation or second-generation products:
- First-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (eg warfarin, coumatetralyl, diphacinone) are 'multi-dose anticoagulants', meaning they must be consumed for multiple feedings to achieve a lethal dose. These work more slowly and break down more quickly in the body, ultimately making them less lethal than second-generation baits.
- Second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (eg brodifacoum ("Ratsak"), bromadiolone, difethialone, difenacoum, flocoumafen) are 'single-dose anticoagulants', meaning that a lethal dose can be ingested in just a single feeding. These baits are more potent with a higher risk of secondary poisoning as they are slower to break down in the body. If a pet eats a second-generation rodenticide, the effects are much longer acting and require more prolonged treatment.
Symptoms of rat bait poisoning are typically not seen for several days. The signs of bleeding are not always obvious as they often occur internally in the abdomen, chest, lungs, joints and gastrointestinal tract. The symptoms and severity of poisoning depends on the active ingredient, the amount ingested and the size of your pet.
Bleeding from the gums
Blood in the stool (or black tarry stools)
Blood in the urine
Lethargy
Weakness
Coughing or shortness of breath
Seizures
Difficulty walking
Sudden death
In some cases, there may be no obvious symptoms before the development of life-threatening poisoning.
If you suspect your pet has eaten rat bait, seek veterinary attention immediately - NEVER wait until symptoms develop before seeking treatment.
Rat bait ingestion can be fatal to pets and the sooner you seek treatment, the best chance your pet has of recovery.
Make sure to keep the product packaging and bring it with you to your vet - this will make it much easier for your vet to treat your pet, as different active ingredients require different treatments.
Early decontamination and treatment is key to decrease the risk of toxicity. Treatment depends on how long ago the bait was ingested as well as the type of rat bait ingested. If your pet ingested the bait within a few hours, your vet may first induce vomiting and then administer activated charcoal to decrease the absorption of the rodenticide in the gastrointestinal tract. Depending on the time since ingestion, your pet may require hospitalisation. Serious cases may require blood or plasma transfusions, oxygen therapy and removal of blood from the chest/abdomen.
The antidote to anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning is Vitamin K1. Your veterinarian will prescribe Vitamin K1 supplementation to continue for several weeks, depending on the active ingredient in the rodenticide. Your veterinarian will then schedule follow up blood tests to monitor blood clotting times, to ensure your pet's blood is clotting effectively. During the early recovery period, limited activity is recommended to prevent any injuries that may cause bleeding.
The prognosis of rat bait poisoning depends on how quickly your pet is treated. The prognosis is generally good for pets who receive early treatment, however is guarded for pets with delayed treatment who already have established bleeding.
Keep any rat poisons away from your pets at all times! Make sure to store them out of reach of pets and children.
Avoid using anticoagulant rodenticides around your property - use a safer method of rodent control such as live traps.
Use bait stations which allow rodents to enter and consume the bait, but cannot be accessed or opened by larger animals. For further safety, place these in protected areas which your pet does not have access to.
Rat proof your property (seal any holes, cover food and water sources, and clean up garbage around your home) to prevent rodent numbers building up and prevent poisoned rats entering your home.
When out on walks, keep your dog on a leash and close to you and be on the lookout for any rat poison or rodents that your dog may potentially ingest.
Read and keep the packaging to ensure proper use, familiarize yourself with symptoms of rat bait poisoning, and in the case of accidental ingestion by your pet, seek veterinary assistance immediately.
Remove any remaining bait material from your dog's mouth.
Wipe or gentle rinse your pet's mouth with water.
Grab any remaining product packaging to help identify the type of bait.
Call your veterinarian or the Animal Poisons Helpline on 1300 869 738.
How much rat bait is toxic to dogs?
Any amount of rat bait your dog ingests can be life-threatening. If you suspect your pet has had access to a rodenticide, it is important to seek veterinary help immediately.
Can dogs survive rat bait poisoning?
Left untreated, rat bait ingestion can sadly be fatal as it causes internal and external bleeding. However, dogs that ingest rat bait who receive early veterinary treatment generally have a good prognosis.
It's important to be aware of the symptoms of rat bait poisoning and promptly seek veterinary attention if you suspect your pet has ingested rat bait as this can ultimately be the difference between life and death.
Want to know more? Check out our Discover Page for more tips on keeping your pets happy and healthy.
