Having ants in the house can be one of the most pesky things! Ants are quite resilient so trying to get rid of them can be a difficult task. You may turn to ant traps, baits, and poison to exterminate the ants inside and outside the home. But how will these pest controls affect your dog? Here is everything you need to know on how to keep your dog safe and ants out of your home.  

Are Ant Trap Safe for Dogs? 

Ant traps are usually baited with food, usually peanut butter, that attracts ants. On the other hand, peanut butter may also attract your dog to the ant trap. Ant traps are laced with insecticide that poisons ants. They are typically designed to be safe for other animals because of the possibility that other animals will ingest them. Yet, there is a possibility that your dog or other animals interact with the trap. If your dog happens to lick or eat the bait, they may or may not get sick. Potential clinical signs of ant trap poisoning are diarrhea, vomiting, and bloody stool, along with other symptoms. A vet clinic visit may be necessary if further complications occur.  

What Should I Do If My Dog Ingested Ant Poison? 

First, you need to monitor your dog and make sure that they are behaving like their normal self. Second, look over your dog’s mouth to see if any damage has been done. If your dog is uncontrollably salivating or coughing, go straight to the emergency clinic. Next, contact Pet Poison Helpline® and your veterinarian to determine the treatment needed for your pup.  

Preventative Steps to Take 

There are steps that you can take to avoid an ant invasion. Outside the home, remove rotten leaves, place your garbage cans away from your house, and maintain the yard. Inside the home, clean up any spills and crumbs right away, store your food in secure places, and keep your surfaces clean.  

If you need to use ant traps, place them in areas where your dog cannot access them. If your dog ingested ant poison, then follow the steps above to keep your dog safe and healthy.  

What to Remember 

Ant poisoning in dogs can be treated quickly and easily by calling Pet Poison Helpline® at (855) 764-7661 and your veterinarian. When dealing with ant poisoning, timing is essential. The sooner you recognize any clinical signs, the sooner your dog can receive medical care. The size of your dog may hasten the effects of the poison. Typically, smaller dogs can experience more pronounced symptoms. Be wary when using ant traps if you have pets in your home.