PupkeeperToxic
Dog ate bug sprays and foggers (pyrethrins, pyrethroids)? What to do
Pyrethrin and pyrethroid bug sprays usually cause drooling and mild tremors in dogs, but large or concentrated amounts can cause seizures.
If your dog ate or touched this, call your vet or a pet poison line now
United States
Poison lines in other countries: United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand
What to do now
- Call your vet or a pet poison line now.
- Keep the product label and bring it with you.
- If it's on the skin, gently bathe your dog with a mild detergent and cool water.
Don't
- Don't make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to.
- Never use a household insecticide on your dog.
Signs to watch for
- Drooling
- Gagging or vomiting
- Not eating
- Agitation
- Tingling skin, scratching or restlessness
- Mild tremors
- Wobbly walking
- Seizures
When signs appear: Within the first hour if swallowed; 15 minutes to several hours on the skin
Why
These insecticides act on the nerves. Many household bug sprays and mosquito coils use them, such as allethrin; the label names the exact insecticide. Severe signs are more likely if a dog is sensitive, swallows a large or concentrated amount, or is exposed to bifenthrin.
Sources
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Pyrethrin/Pyrethroid Poisoning in Dogs
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Insecticide Poisoning
- Mortein Outdoor Mosquito Coils: Safety Data Sheet (active ingredient d-allethrin)
Guide reviewed 9 October 2026.
General information from the sources above, not a diagnosis. When in doubt, call your vet.