You may have heard about using activated charcoal to treat poisoning in dogs. But what does activated charcoal do for dogs in the long run? Is it actually safe to use? 

What is activated charcoal?

Activated charcoal is an odorless black powder that can trap chemicals. Charcoal is a combination of peat, wood, coal, petroleum, or coconut shell. Ordinary charcoal becomes activated when heated in the presence of a gas. 

Heating the charcoal creates pores that can trap chemicals. When humans swallow poison, they’ll eat activated charcoal, hoping it will suck up the toxins and reduce poisoning symptoms. But what does activated charcoal do for dogs? 

How can activated charcoal help dogs? 

Activated charcoal for dogs has the same purpose for humans. When dogs swallow something poisonous, vets will use activated charcoal for dogs to absorb the toxins they’ve been exposed to. 

Vets may use the charcoal on its own or in tandem with a cathartic medication. Cathartics are similar to laxatives. They help speed up the digestive process to prevent your dog’s body from absorbing any toxins. 

Can I use activated charcoal for dog poisoning? 

Although you can buy activated charcoal for dogs, we don’t recommend giving it to your pup on your own. Vets are the only people who should administer activated charcoal for dog poisoning. 

If you suspect your dog has swallowed poison, call your vet or an emergency animal hospital immediately. Activated charcoal is most effective in the first hour of ingestion, so time is of the essence. 

Vets will often perform a physical exam before they decide to use activated charcoal for dog poisoning. In some cases, it for dogs may not be necessary. This treatment method can even be unsafe for dogs with underlying health conditions. 

Your vet may choose an alternate path of treatment if your dog suffers from any of the following: 

• Dehydration
• Seizures or tremors
• Hypernatremia (elevated sodium levels) 
• Gastrointestinal disease or blockage 
• Food allergies 
• Megaesophagus
• Diabetes
• Kidney disease 
• Currently on prescription medication 

In serious cases, your vet may give multiple doses of activated charcoal for dog poisoning treatment. Sometimes it takes more than one dose to knock out the toxins in your dog’s body. Repeated treatments may mean your dog has more severe side effects. Talk to your vet if you have any concerns about this. 

Side Effects of Activated Charcoal for Dogs

Once a vet administers the charcoal, your dog may experience a few negative side effects. Activated charcoal is usually pretty tolerable for dogs, but it may cause dehydration and vomiting in some cases. Don’t fret as these are normal symptoms that your vet can help you treat. 

If a cathartic or laxative was also used to treat your dog, you can expect diarrhea or runny stools. Your vet may prescribe your dog medication to treat these symptoms so they don’t persist after the charcoal has been processed. 

You may notice black stains on your dog’s mouth, paws, or in their stool. This is a normal side effect of activated charcoal. Be careful not to get any charcoal stains on your clothes as these are hard to get out. 

What poisons can activated charcoal help with? 

Activated charcoal for dogs is most effective when treating chemical or food poisoning. This treatment method is commonly used when dogs ingest the following: 

• Chocolate 
• Xylitol 
• Marijuana
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) 
• Non-steroid, anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID)
• Lilies
• Rodenticide 

On the other hand, activated charcoal is not effective with certain types of poisoning. This includes ingestion of:

• Too much salt 
• Battery acid
• Anti-freeze
• Heavy metals 
• Gasoline
• Petroleum 

What should I do if my dog swallows something poisonous? 

We always recommend calling your vet as soon as your dog ingests poison. Most cities in the United States also have local emergency vets that are open 24/7. If your vet is unavailable, you can call the following hotlines for immediate assistance: 

• Pet Poison Helpline - 855-764-7661
• Open 24 hours a day 
• $85 incident fee may apply 
• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Hotline - 888-426-4435
• Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
• Consultation fee may apply 

You may have the natural urge to treat your dog yourself. But the best option is to put their lives in the hands of dog health professionals. They will know exactly how to treat your dog in the safest, most effective way possible.