Can Dogs Eat Mothballs? No — Even One Causes Serious Poisoning
This food is NOT safe for dogs. Keep it away from your pet.
Mothballs are highly toxic to dogs. Both naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene types cause serious poisoning. Even the fumes from mothballs cause respiratory irritation and neurological damage with prolonged exposure.
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Warning Signs & Symptoms
Vomiting, lethargy, pale or brown gums, seizures, liver damage, kidney damage, hemolytic anemia.
If Your Dog Ate This
Call vet or ASPCA Poison Control 888-426-4435 immediately.
What to Avoid
all mothball products — naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene types
Preparation & Serving
Call vet or ASPCA Poison Control 888-426-4435 immediately. Fresh air if fume exposure. Do not induce vomiting without vet guidance.
Did you know?
Mothballs work by sublimating — turning directly from solid to gas — releasing vapors that are toxic to moths and larvae. This same property makes them continuously dangerous in enclosed spaces as the vapor concentration builds up affecting dogs even without direct ingestion.
Portions & nutrition
- Serving (small dog)
- never
- Serving (medium dog)
- never
- Serving (large dog)
- never
- Calories (per 100g)
- 0
- Safe frequency
- Never
Source
What You Need to Know
Naphthalene mothballs are more toxic than paradichlorobenzene types but both are dangerous. Ingestion of even one mothball causes serious toxicity. Fumes in an enclosed space cause respiratory irritation and neurological effects. Dogs that sleep in areas where mothballs are stored are at risk from chronic low-level exposure even without direct ingestion.
Not sure what to do next? Read our emergency guide What to Do If Your Dog Eats Something Toxic
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