Are mothballs toxic to dogs? Yes, seriously. A mothball is concentrated pesticide, and even a single one can cause serious effects, including red-blood-cell and liver damage. Any suspected ingestion means going to the vet now: bring the packaging, or a photo of it, so they know which type they are treating.
Call a vet or poison control now. Do not wait for symptoms.
ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661. A consultation fee may apply.
Part of our guide to My Dog Ate a Mothball: Treat It as an Urgent Exposure.
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Why Mothballs is dangerous
Highly concentrated pesticide; even one mothball can cause serious effects, including red-blood-cell and liver damage.
Old naphthalene vs newer formulations
Older naphthalene mothballs are the especially dangerous type, and they linger: closets and storage boxes hold them decades after purchase. If you do not know which type your dog found, assume naphthalene and let the packaging settle it at the clinic.
Closets, storage boxes, and gardens
Dogs meet mothballs in stored clothing, in boxes that have not moved in years, and scattered outdoors where they get used as animal repellent. None of these are safe encounters: a found mothball gets taken away, and a chewed one is a vet visit.
What the vet needs from you
The packaging or a photo of it identifies naphthalene versus newer formulations, and a rough count of what is missing helps. Even a single mothball is reason enough to be there, so gather what you can and go.
Signs to watch for
Vomiting, wobbliness, tremors, seizures, brown gums
Related items
Check the exact item or ingredient before assuming two similar exposures carry the same risk.
What to do next
Go to the vet; bring the packaging so they know the type.
🚨Step-by-step: what to do in the first 10 minutes →Available 24/7. A consultation fee may apply.
A closer look at mothballs
Highly concentrated pesticide; even one mothball can cause serious effects, including red-blood-cell and liver damage. The details below use the specific facts for this exposure, rather than treating it like every other househol question.
1. Start with the exact exposure
For a closely related comparison, read Lock De-Icer. Even a single mothball can be dangerous, especially older naphthalene types.
2. Use the facts to decide whether to monitor or call
Another helpful reference is Silicone Spray Lubricant. None: act on any ingestion. Any suspected ingestion, immediately.
3. If the details are uncertain
Follow the first 10 minutes guide. Go to the vet; bring the packaging so they know the type.
FAQ
Even a single mothball can be dangerous, especially older naphthalene types.
None: act on any ingestion.
Any suspected ingestion, immediately.
Yes. Mothballs are highly concentrated pesticide, and even one can cause serious effects, including red-blood-cell and liver damage. DogSafe scores them 7 out of 10: any suspected ingestion is an immediate vet visit.
Go to the vet now rather than watching and waiting, and bring the packaging so they know whether it is naphthalene or a newer type. Vomiting, wobbliness, tremors, or brown gums make it an emergency run.
Older naphthalene mothballs are the especially dangerous type. Newer products still do not belong anywhere a dog can reach, and when the type is unknown, assume the worse one and let your vet confirm from the packaging.
- Pet Poison Helpline
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
- Merck Veterinary Manual: overview of household hazard toxicoses in animals