Toxic to dogs · Foods

Is Hops toxic to dogs?

Extreme severity

Yes. Even a small amount can be life-threatening — treat any exposure as an emergency and contact a vet immediately.

Symptoms to watch for

  • malignant hyperthermia
  • increased breathing
  • racing heart rate
  • anxiety
  • vomiting
  • abnormal clotting
  • death

How vets treat it

Immediate veterinary intervention is required to manage hyperthermia and provide supportive care; death can occur within 6 hours without treatment.

Why it's dangerous

The exact toxic principle is unknown, but ingestion triggers malignant hyperthermia, a life-threatening elevation in body temperature potentially related to essential oils or resins.

Good to know

Hops plugs are typically more toxic than pellets. Certain breeds like Greyhounds and Labradors are at higher risk due to a predisposition to malignant hyperthermia.

Sources

This page is informational and is not veterinary advice. If your pet has been exposed to something risky, contact your vet or an animal poison control line right away.

More substances toxic to dogs

Alcohol Extreme severity Apricot Pits, Seeds, Leaves, and Stems Extreme severity Caffeine Extreme severity Cherry Pits, Seeds, Leaves, and Stems Extreme severity Everything toxic to dogs →

Packaged food? Scan the barcode.

StrawPaw's food scanner reads the barcode on packaged products and flags ingredients that are risky for dogs and cats — before anything reaches the bowl.

Download StrawPaw for iOS