Pupkeeper
Toxic

Dog ate lead (old paint, fishing weights)? What to do

Swallowing lead from old paint chips, fishing sinkers or curtain weights can cause stomach upset, seizures and blindness in dogs.

If your dog ate or touched this, call your vet or a pet poison line now

Find an emergency vet

What to do now

  1. Call your vet or a pet poison line now.
  2. Tell the vet what your dog swallowed and when.

Don't

  • Don't make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to.

Signs to watch for

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Belly pain
  • Not eating
  • Stumbling
  • Seizures
  • Blindness

Why

Lead is a toxic metal that harms the gut, nervous system and blood. Young or poorly fed dogs are at highest risk, and a small chip of old lead paint can poison a small dog.

Sources

Guide reviewed 9 October 2026.

General information from the sources above, not a diagnosis. When in doubt, call your vet.