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My dog ate cigarettes. What symptoms of nicotine poisoning should I watch for?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed

My dog broke apart 2 cigarettes but it doesn't look like she ate a lot. What should I be watching for? Should I get her checked?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on June 30th, 2016

Good on you for reaching out for help and information! The toxic level of nicotine in dogs is 5 milligrams of nicotine per pound of body weight. In dogs, 10 mg/kg is potentially lethal. One cigarette contains 15 to 25 milligrams of nicotine depending on the brand. So two cigarettes would contain 30-50mg of nicotine. That means if your dog weighs 30kg (66lbs), she would have potentially consumed 1mg/kg to 1.67mg/kg. If she weighs 5kg (11lbs), she would have potentially consumed 6mg/kg-10mg/kg (potentially lethal dose). I'm not sure how much your dog weighs, but if she is a larger dog (over 50lbs), she likely did not consume enough to be toxic. The signs of toxicity are dose-dependent and generally begin within one hour of ingestion. Many dogs will vomit naturally after ingestion. I would monitor her for now. Watch out for tremors, weakness, stumbling, lethargy, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, or difficulty breathing. If you see any of these signs, get Kai into your vet right away.

4Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM
Veterinarian
If she ate the tobacco within the past to hours then I would take her to the vet or a Pet ER to have them induce vomiting. Tobacco is very toxic and since I do not know what weight your dog is, I have to assume it is a small dog. Please take her to a pet ER if you notice the following:

Vomiting

Abnormal heart rate

Abnormal respiratory rate

Overstimulation

Incoordination

Agitation

Tremors

Seizures

Inappropriate urination/defecation

Paralysis

Collapse
0Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Rodrigo Roca, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on July 23rd, 2017
Hello, I recommend that your dog is seen by a veterinarian to induce vomiting. If you cannot reach a veterinarian soon, I would administer 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide by mouth to induce vomiting while you make your way to the ER. Nicotine can cause abnormal heart rhythms and the toxicity depends on how much nicotine is in each cigarette. Hope this helps.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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