When your pet gets a hold of something toxic, it can feel like your heart just drops into your stomach. Your next step is most likely to rush to the vet or an emergency clinic. Once you get there, the vet might give your pet activated charcoal to help get the toxin out of your pet’s system.
Activated charcoal isn’t always the go-to move for poisoning, but it can be a lifesaver in many cases. However, only a vet should give your dog or cat activated charcoal. If your furry friend ingests a toxin, it’s always best to seek professional help and avoid giving your pet anything unless your vet tells you to.
What Is Activated Charcoal and What Does It Do for Pets?
There’s a moment of dread when you fear your fur baby may have eaten something dangerous and could face serious consequences. When you take them to the vet, they may receive activated charcoal, often nicknamed “the universal antidote.”
But is it really a cure-all? Unfortunately, no, although it can save your pet’s life in certain cases. Activated charcoal is produced by burning wood at very high temperatures, then treating the results with an activating agent to release charcoal particles.
Consequently, the charcoal particles can then bind certain bodily toxins, reducing their harmful effects on the pet. Your vet may or may not give your dog or cat activated charcoal, depending on what type of poison they ingested.
When Would a Vet Give Your Pet Activated Charcoal?
If your pet ingests a toxin, but isn’t showing clinical signs of poisoning, your vet will likely try to induce vomiting first if it’s been less than two hours. This step helps your pet get rid of as much of the poison as possible. Then your vet will determine the next steps and whether they should include activated charcoal.
Activated charcoal is effective against some toxins, but not others. This is why it’s always important to know as much as you can about what your pet ingests when it comes to poisonous substances.
Be ready to tell your vet the name of the toxin, how much your pet ingested, and when. Activated charcoal is typically most effective when your vet administers it within one hour of your pet swallowing a toxin. However, it can work within a roughly four-hour window, which is why timing is so critical.
Five Reasons Your Pet Can’t Have Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal isn’t an automatic go-to in all poisoning cases. Your vet will first examine your pet to make sure there aren’t any contraindications. Several factors can make giving your dog or cat activated charcoal dangerous.
Certain Neurologic Issues
If your pet experiences tremors, seizures, or has a decreased gag reflex, your vet won’t administer activated charcoal. Disorientation is another red flag. These symptoms could increase the risk of aspiration.
Elevated Sodium Levels
Activated charcoal draws fluid from the body into the GI tract. When this happens, your pet’s blood sodium levels increase. So, if your pet already has high sodium levels, they’ll be at an increased risk of experiencing potentially life-threatening hypernatremia.
Dehydration
As previously mentioned, activated charcoal pulls water from the body. Therefore, if your pet is already dehydrated, giving them activated charcoal can make things even worse.
Gastrointestinal Tract Issues
If your pet’s GI tract isn’t working optimally, it’s best to avoid activated charcoal. It can worsen constipation and even cause your pet’s body to reabsorb the toxins that the activated charcoal had targeted. Also, if your pet recently had GI surgery or has a suspected blockage, your vet will skip giving them activated charcoal.
Certain Diseases
Some diseases may hamper activated charcoal, such as acute kidney failure, megaesophagus, and diabetic ketoacidosis. Your vet will likely be aware of your pet’s current medical status, but make sure any clinic you go to knows your pet’s health history.
How Does the Vet Administer Activated Charcoal?
Depending on your pet’s unique situation, your vet may give them multiple doses of activated charcoal to remove as much toxin as possible. However, in some cases, your vet may give the activated charcoal to your dog or cat along with a cathartic to move things out of the system more quickly.
If your vet decides to double up the activated charcoal with a cathartic, they’ll only do the combo once to avoid dehydration or hypernatremia. Many vets mix activated charcoal with water or canned food to make it easier to administer. Typically, tablets and capsules aren’t used because they aren’t very effective.
Common Toxins That Respond to Activated Charcoal
Not every poisonous substance responds to activated charcoal. Here are a few common toxins that could prompt your vet to recommend activated charcoal for your dog or cat.
- Rat poison
- Marijuana
- Chocolate
- Xylitol
- Lilies
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications)
On the other hand, some toxins don’t respond to activated charcoal at all. These include gasoline, antifreeze, various caustic substances (such as battery acid), salt toxicity (i.e., homemade playdough), and heavy metal toxicity.
How Much Activated Charcoal Can Your Dog or Cat Have?
Your vet will determine the proper dosage of activated charcoal based on your pet’s size and the type of charcoal they’re using. Veterinarians determine the recommended dose using the product label, veterinary resources, or by consulting the Pet Poison Helpline.
Side Effects of Activated Charcoal
When it’s warranted, most pets usually tolerate activated charcoal well; however, as with anything, there are side effects. The most common issue is vomiting, which also increases the risk of aspiration.
Other side effects include:
- Dehydration
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Constipation
- Diarrhea (primarily when a cathartic is used alongside the activated charcoal)
Furthermore, activated charcoal can stain your pet’s fur. It’s also common for activated charcoal to turn your pet’s stool black for about 24 to 48 hours. However, monitor your cat or dog’s poop. If the black color persists for more than a couple of days, notify your vet so they can rule out conditions such as ulcers or a stomach bleed.
What If Your Pet Takes Other Medications?
If you give your pet medication, make sure the vet administering the activated charcoal knows about it. In many cases, activated charcoal will absorb oral medications as well as toxins. Therefore, your vet may recommend adjusting the dosage.
The vet will also likely advise you to give your pet their medication two to four hours after receiving activated charcoal. In some cases, they may even temporarily switch your pet’s medication to an IV.
Should You Give Your Pet Activated Charcoal?
The short, simple answer to this question is a resounding, “No.” Only a veterinarian should give your pet activated charcoal. If given improperly, activated charcoal can be dangerous for your pet, even life-threatening. Even inhaling activated charcoal can be detrimental to your pet.
If your fur baby eats something dangerous, your first move is to call your vet or the nearest animal emergency hospital. Time is of the essence, and the sooner you get your pet to a vet, the better your odds of a positive outcome.
If you can’t reach your vet or a clinic, call the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661). Alternatively, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) for guidance. Find more helpful tips on pet parenting in the Neater Pets blog!