Home ›
Household › Matches
🏠
Use caution
Can Dogs Have Matches? DogSafe severity score 5/10 ⚕️ This page is pending review by a licensed veterinarian.
Check Matches for your dog
Enter your dog's details for a straight answer sized to them.
Weight (lb)
Breed (optional) Not sure / mixed Affenpinscher Afghan Hound Airedale Terrier Akita Alaskan Malamute American Bulldog American Eskimo Dog American Foxhound American Hairless Terrier American Staffordshire Terrier Anatolian Shepherd Dog Australian Cattle Dog Australian Shepherd Australian Terrier Basenji Basset Hound Beagle Bearded Collie Beauceron Bedlington Terrier Belgian Malinois Belgian Sheepdog Belgian Tervuren Bernedoodle Bernese Mountain Dog Bichon Frise Black Russian Terrier Bloodhound Bluetick Coonhound Boerboel Border Collie Border Terrier Borzoi Boston Terrier Bouvier des Flandres Boxer Boykin Spaniel Briard Brittany Brussels Griffon Bull Terrier Bulldog Bullmastiff Cairn Terrier Cane Corso Cardigan Welsh Corgi Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Cavapoo Chesapeake Bay Retriever Chihuahua Chinese Crested Chinese Shar-Pei Chiweenie Chow Chow Clumber Spaniel Cockapoo Cocker Spaniel Collie Coton de Tulear Curly-Coated Retriever Dachshund Dalmatian Doberman Pinscher Dogue de Bordeaux English Cocker Spaniel English Foxhound English Setter English Springer Spaniel English Toy Spaniel Field Spaniel Finnish Lapphund Finnish Spitz Flat-Coated Retriever French Bulldog German Pinscher German Shepherd Dog German Shorthaired Pointer German Wirehaired Pointer Giant Schnauzer Golden Retriever Goldendoodle Gordon Setter Great Dane Great Pyrenees Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Greyhound Havanese Ibizan Hound Irish Setter Irish Terrier Irish Water Spaniel Irish Wolfhound Italian Greyhound Jack Russell Terrier Japanese Chin Keeshond Kerry Blue Terrier Komondor Kuvasz Labradoodle Labrador Retriever Lagotto Romagnolo Lakeland Terrier Leonberger Lhasa Apso Maltese Maltipoo Manchester Terrier Mastiff Miniature American Shepherd Miniature Pinscher Miniature Schnauzer Neapolitan Mastiff Newfoundland Norfolk Terrier Norwegian Elkhound Norwich Terrier Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Old English Sheepdog Papillon Pekingese Pembroke Welsh Corgi Petite Basset Griffon Vendeen Pharaoh Hound Plott Hound Pointer Polish Lowland Sheepdog Pomeranian Poodle (Miniature) Poodle (Standard) Poodle (Toy) Portuguese Water Dog Pug Puggle Puli Rat Terrier Redbone Coonhound Rhodesian Ridgeback Rottweiler Saint Bernard Saluki Samoyed Schipperke Scottish Deerhound Scottish Terrier Sealyham Terrier Sheepadoodle Shetland Sheepdog Shiba Inu Shih Tzu Siberian Husky Silky Terrier Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Spanish Water Dog Staffordshire Bull Terrier Standard Schnauzer Sussex Spaniel Tibetan Mastiff Tibetan Spaniel Tibetan Terrier Toy Fox Terrier Treeing Walker Coonhound Vizsla Weimaraner Welsh Springer Spaniel Welsh Terrier West Highland White Terrier Whippet Wire Fox Terrier Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Xoloitzcuintli Yorkipoo Yorkshire Terrier
Amount eaten A lick A mouthful A large amount Not sure
Check Matches Why Matches needs caution Matches may cause stomach upset and, depending on type and amount, expose a dog to irritating chemicals. Matchbooks and sticks can also act as a foreign body.
Signs to watch for Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, mouth irritation, belly pain, straining or blockage signs
FAQ How much Matches is dangerous?
One unlit wooden match may be less concerning than multiple match heads, a matchbook, or any lit or burned material. Count what is missing.
Can I treat this at home?
Do not induce vomiting or give food, charcoal, or another product unless a veterinarian or poison specialist directs you.
When should I call the vet?
Call your veterinarian or an animal poison control center with the exact product or plant, amount, time, and your dog's weight.
• Merck Veterinary Manual — Common Household Poisons 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.
DogSafe
Instantly check if a food, plant, medication, or household item is safe or toxic for your dog. Free, vet-informed, and sourced from ASPCA & Pet Poison Helpline.
© 2026 DogSafe. Not a substitute for veterinary advice. If your dog is in distress, contact your vet or an emergency animal hospital immediately.