TOBACCO LEAF / NICOTINE PLANT INGESTION IN DOGS & CATS
WHAT THIS SYMPTOM USUALLY MEANS
Nicotine leaves, dried tobacco, cigars, or chewing tobacco can cause rapid-onset vomiting, tremors, collapse, and in severe cases respiratory paralysis.
MOST COMMON CAUSES
MILD
• Small ingestion of dried tobacco (still concerning)
MEDICAL CAUSES
• Chewing cigars or chewing tobacco
• Eating tobacco leaves
• Ingesting used cigarette butts (common in puppies)
EMERGENCY CAUSES (HIGH CONCERN)
• Tremors
• Seizures
• Collapse
• Vomiting repeatedly
• Slow heart rate
• Weakness progressing to paralysis
RED FLAGS: WHEN THIS IS AN EMERGENCY
• Shaking or tremors
• Vomiting + drooling
• Severe lethargy
If you’re unsure, treat it as urgent.
AT-HOME CARE YOU CAN START NOW
• Prevent further ingestion
• Bring the tobacco product with you
• Seek emergency care
WHAT A VETERINARIAN WILL CHECK
• ECG
• Blood pressure
• IV fluids
• Activated charcoal
• Anti-seizure medication
MOST LIKELY DIAGNOSES (BASED ON 40 YEARS OF CASES)
• Nicotine toxicity
• Seizures
• Bradycardia or arrhythmias