⚕️This page is pending review by a licensed veterinarian.
Check Vanilla Extract for your dog
Enter your dog's details for a straight answer sized to them.
Why Vanilla Extract is dangerous
Pure vanilla extract is roughly 35% alcohol by volume. Ethanol depresses the nervous system in dogs the same way it does in people, only at a much lower dose relative to body weight.
Signs to watch for
Vomiting, incoordination, disorientation, weak or slow breathing, low blood sugar
What to do next
A drop or two mixed into baked food is generally not a concern. If your dog licked or drank straight from the bottle, call your vet: small dogs and puppies are at greatest risk.
Straight from the bottle is the real risk: the alcohol concentration is high, and even a tablespoon or two can matter for a small dog.
Can I treat this at home?
A trace amount baked into food (which cooks off some alcohol) is usually low-risk for a large dog. Drinking from the bottle is not a home-treat situation.
When should I call the vet?
Any direct ingestion from the bottle, or any wobbliness, vomiting, or unusual sleepiness after exposure.
Compiled from veterinary poison-control and medical reference sources, including the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, the Pet Poison Helpline, and the Merck Veterinary Manual. This is general educational information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for examination by your veterinarian. DogSafe's severity ratings are our own assessment, calculated from published guidance and your dog's weight. In an emergency, call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661.