PupkeeperToxicEmergency
Dog ate rat poison: vitamin D3 type (cholecalciferol)? What to do
Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) rat baits are very concentrated. A small amount can raise a dog's calcium and damage the kidneys.
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 packaging and bring it with you.
- Go even if your dog seems fine. Signs often take a day or more to show.
Don't
- Don't make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to.
Signs to watch for
- Vomiting
- Not eating
- Low energy
- Drinking and peeing more
- Vomiting blood
- Bloody diarrhea
When signs appear: 12 to 36 hours
Why
Cholecalciferol makes calcium build up in the blood, which hardens soft tissues and damages the kidneys. It can lead to kidney failure.
Sources
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Rodenticide Poisoning
- ASPCA: Rodenticide and Your Pet: What You Need to Know
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Vitamin D Poisoning in Dogs
Guide reviewed 9 October 2026.
General information from the sources above, not a diagnosis. When in doubt, call your vet.