08/18/2026
DOGS + MA*****NA: SOMETHING EVERY DOG OWNER SHOULD KNOW
I recently had a very scary experience with a dog I was caring for.
Before our walk, he had apparently gotten into some ma*****na that was on the street. When I arrived at his home, he was having a full-blown seizure which I recognized immediately. I scooped him up all 30 pounds of him called his mother while heading out the door to my car knowing I was rushing him to the vet. I described the symptoms to his mom who is in the medical field and she contacted the vet immediately, and the vet had full staff waiting for me to arrive. I keep a pet car seat in my car in case of a medical emergency while I'm dog sitting. The dog's mother stayed on the phone through the entire appointment and then immediately headed to meet us.
What really surprised me was what the vet told me: she sees approximately four cases of ma*****na exposure in dogs EVERY WEEK.
Four. Every week.
With more ma*****na products being used and discarded in public spaces, this is something every dog owner and every person who walks dogs should be aware of.
What can ma*****na toxicity look like in a dog?
Watch for sudden or unusual:
Wobbliness or difficulty walking
Stumbling or acting “drunk”
Extreme sleepiness or unusual agitation
Dilated or glassy-looking eyes
Tremors or shaking
Urinary accidents or dribbling
Drooling or vomiting
An unusually slow or fast heart rate
Extreme sensitivity to sound or touch
Disorientation or confusion
Seizures
A seizure can look like sudden collapse, stiffening of the body, paddling or jerking of the legs, uncontrolled movements, loss of consciousness, or loss of bladder/bowel control.
If your dog has a seizure:
Do NOT put your hands or anything else in your dog’s mouth. Dogs do not swallow their tongues.
Time the seizure if you can.
Seek emergency veterinary care immediately.
And if you suspect your dog has eaten ma*****na, don’t wait for symptoms to become severe. Contact your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary hospital.
Please also remember that dogs are often nose-to-ground explorers. What’s harmless to a human can be dangerous to a dog.
When you’re walking your dog, keep an eye out for discarded ma*****na, edibles, cigarette butts, or other substances on the sidewalk and in grassy areas. And if your dog suddenly starts acting strangely during a walk, don’t assume he’s simply tired or being stubborn.
Sometimes our dogs are telling us something is very wrong.
Stay alert. Stay safe. And when in doubt, call your vet.
Boo-Boo Love Animal Care, LLC
Dog and Cat First Aid Certified Through The American Red Cross
