PupkeeperToxicEmergency
Dog ate laundry and dishwasher pods? What to do
Biting a detergent pod can cause heavy vomiting and drooling, and detergent breathed into the lungs can cause severe pneumonia.
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.
- Gently rinse detergent from the mouth and skin until the soap is gone.
- Keep the package and bring it with you.
- Get your dog checked even if it seems fine. Lung damage can follow vomiting.
Don't
- Don't make your dog vomit. Detergent can get into the lungs.
Signs to watch for
- Vomiting
- Drooling
- Gagging or coughing
- Trouble breathing
- Diarrhea
- Low energy
- Weakness or collapse
Why
Pods hold concentrated detergent. If a dog vomits, it can breathe detergent into its lungs. Dishwasher detergents can also be corrosive.
Sources
- ASPCA: Keep Laundry Detergent Pods Away from Pets
- Pet Poison Helpline: How Detergent Pods Can Harm Your Dog
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Toxicoses From Household Cleaners and Personal Care Products
Guide reviewed 9 October 2026.
General information from the sources above, not a diagnosis. When in doubt, call your vet.