If your dog ate an ant trap, don’t panic.
Ant traps are designed to be safe for pets and humans, but they can still pose a choking hazard. Call your veterinarian or local animal hospital right away if your dog is having trouble breathing or swallowing.
In most cases, the ant trap will pass through your dog’s system without any problems. However, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and get professional medical help right away.
Keep an eye on your dog for the next 24 hours and watch for any signs of distress. Call your vet immediately if you notice anything out of the ordinary.
11. Go Out For Some Air
The poison used in ant bait can be very irritating and could cause nausea. Of course, your pooch will not tell you that they feel like vomiting. However, it is to be expected, which is why a dose of fresh air will do your pup a lot of good.
While it does nothing to directly relieve gut irritation, it has been known to visibly reduce the discomfort. So take them out for a walk. And if you can’t, simply crank up the AC.
10. Give The Dog A Quick Clean
There are very high chances that your dog touched the ant bait with their paws or got some of the toxic substance on their face while they ate it. It is, therefore, an absolute necessity to give your dog a quick clean.
It doesn’t have to be a full wash as this will often not be very comfortable for them. Instead, use something like a wet towel with some dog shampoo or even neutral pet wipes if you have any.
9. Keep The Dog Calm
The dog may get very agitated as a result of the discomfort, which definitely doesn’t make matters any better. You, therefore, have to do your best to keep them as calm as possible.
Sometimes all you have to do is keep them company as they ride it out while petting them or even offering cuddles. Your presence and attention are invaluable in such instances and just might be what the dog needs to make it through.
8. Try Soothing Herbs
Essential oils in herbs are useful in dealing with an irritated gut.
Some of the best herb sources, in this case, include ginger and peppermint. They help to reduce nausea and soothe any inflammation in the digestive tract.
You could also give the dog some chamomile which, in addition to physical soothing, has a powerful calming effect.
Whatever you choose, just add a drop or two to their drinking water, and it should be enough.
7. Give The Dog Some Bland Food
Ant poison is often very irritating to the digestive system. Feeding your dog anything after the ordeal could be an unnecessary punishment to the already suffering dog. The best alternative, in this case, is bland foods that are easy to digest.
Boiled chicken is the best option here. Do not forget some starch to replenish the lost energy, in which case boiled potatoes or rice would do just fine.
6. Get Some Probiotics In Their System
Probiotics have a lot to offer when it comes to dealing with poisoning, as is the case with ingestion of ant bait.
The friendly gut bugs help not only in the healing process but also in promoting functionality in the system. With all the irritation and poor functioning going on, it goes without saying that your dog’s gut will need all the help it can get.
For a quick fix, we recommend the Zesty Paws Probiotic treats. Their soft chew formulation makes them easy to chew and digest, which is ideal in this case.
5. Keep Your Pooch Hydrated
Your dog will probably be vomiting and having the runs after consuming ant bait. This means that they are losing a lot of water and are therefore at risk of developing dehydration and other serious complications.
The poisons used in ant bait also often have a drying effect which triggers further intense thirst.
With all this to worry about, you have to make sure that your dog has constant access to clean water.
4. Reach Out To The ASPCA Poison Control
It never hurts to get some professionals involved. With cases of poisoning, in particular, the ASPCA (American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) should be your go-to for any questions you may have.
Their poison control center offers round-the-clock support for any queries you may have. They will offer you all the information you need about first aid options, key signs and symptoms to look out for, and so much more.
3. Temporarily Change To A Gut-Friendly Diet
You may have to switch your dog’s diet after an incident of poisoning with something like ant bait. While the symptoms may go away in a couple of days, the gut will need a bit more time to recover fully.
A gut-friendly diet goes a long way towards promoting healing and restoration to optimal functionality.
In this case, we recommend the Raw Wild dog food line for raw dog food that is essentially chemical-free and therefore easier on the tummy.
2. Give Them Anti-Diarrhea Medication
Diarrhea is one of the most serious issues that you have to worry about with poisoning from ant bait with dogs. This is not only uncomfortable for the dog but also leads to massive losses of both fluids and electrolytes.
Stopping diarrhea or at least reducing its frequency should therefore be your number one priority. Vets Preferred Advanced Anti-Diarrhea Liquid is one of the best options in this case for both reducing diarrhea and abdominal cramps that cause discomfort in the dog.
1. Consult Your Vet
Sometimes, it is better to be safe than sorry, in which case, taking the dog to a vet is not a bad idea.
Many will advise monitoring and keeping the dog hydrated and well-rested, which can be done with a quick consultation over the phone.
However, if your pup has excessive diarrhea and vomiting and looks extremely lethargic for a long time, then it may be time to take them physically to the vet.
Related Questions
How Much Ant Poison Will Kill A Dog? It would take as much as 25 mg per kg of bodyweight of ant poison and other bug baits to kill a dog. Fortunately, most bait systems only use a little of the minimally potent stuff for the bugs. As a result, you are more likely to have your dog suffer food poisoning-like effects than fatal toxicity.
What Are The Signs Of A Dog That Has Been Poisoned? Three important signs of poisoning in dogs are lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea. Your index of suspicion should remain high if these symptoms ensue when your dog ingests something deemed to be inedible. In such cases, just continue to monitor your dog and keep them comfortable and hydrated.
How Long Does It Take For An Ant Trap To Affect Dogs? The effects of ingesting ant traps in dogs will become visible within 30 minutes to an hour of them consuming the bait. One of the first symptoms will be vomiting and general distress. Several hours later, you may notice signs of abdominal tenderness and diarrhea because the irritation spreads throughout the gut.
