What happens if my dog eats moldy food from the bin?

Not all mold is harmful, but some common food molds produce toxins that affect the nervous system. Dogs that eat spoiled food can develop signs quickly, typically within 30 minutes to a few hours. Because you cannot tell which molds are dangerous by looking at them, vets treat any moldy food exposure seriously.

Compost heaps are a particular risk because they contain a mix of decaying foods kept warm and damp.

Vomiting, restlessness, panting, and drooling often come first. These can progress to muscle tremors, wobbliness, a high body temperature, and seizures. Some dogs also show signs of garbage gut, with vomiting and diarrhea from bacteria in spoiled food.

Keep your dog in a quiet, cool place and call your vet straight away; do not try to make it vomit at home.

Old bread and bagels in the kitchen bin, forgotten leftovers thrown out after a week in the fridge, walnuts and other nuts that have gone moldy, fallen fruit rotting in the garden, and compost heaps are frequent culprits. Dogs also find spoiled food on walks, such as discarded takeaways and bread left for birds.

Moldy blue cheese rinds carry a similar risk.

Use kitchen bins with locking or foot-pedal lids, or keep them in a cupboard. Compost should be in a closed bin rather than an open heap, or fenced off where your dog cannot reach it. Throw out moldy food in a sealed bag in an outdoor bin with a secure lid.

Picking up windfall fruit in the garden also reduces temptation.

Tell your vet what type of food was eaten, how moldy it looked, roughly how much was eaten, and when. Bring a sample in a sealed bag if you can do so safely. Your dog's weight and any signs already seen help your vet judge the risk quickly.