Household & Garden Chemicals Last reviewed: 2026-10-27

Lead (sinkers, shot, old paint) in Pets

A swallowed fishing sinker can poison a dog slowly. Compare mg/kg with Merck's acute (191–1,000 mg/kg) and chronic (1.8–2.6 mg/kg/day) lead doses and learn the signs.

At a glance
Which animals Dogs, cattle and companion birds are most often affected, according to Merck.
Signs and timing Vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain and diarrhoea or constipation, then behaviour changes, wobbliness, tremors, blindness and seizures.
What to do now Call your vet if your pet may have swallowed a lead object or chewed old paint.

What It Is

Lead is a heavy metal that interferes with many enzymes, especially in the nervous system and in making red blood cells. A swallowed lead object can sit in the stomach and release lead for weeks, so poisoning may build up slowly. Dogs are also poisoned by chewing old painted surfaces.

Where Pets Come Across It

The Merck Veterinary Manual lists sources including lead weights, fishing sinkers, lead shot, solder, old (pre-1978 in the US) house paint, linoleum, ceramic glazes on bowls, putty, caulk and wine-bottle foil. Renovation dust from old homes is a common household source.

Which Animals Are Affected

Dogs, cattle and companion birds are most often affected, according to Merck. Parrots chew lead-soldered cages and toys; waterfowl swallow spent shot and sinkers.

Published Toxic Dose

The Merck Veterinary Manual gives an acute toxic dose of lead in dogs of 191–1,000 mg/kg and a chronic cumulative toxic dose of 1.8–2.6 mg/kg per day. A single sinker can weigh several grams. Birds are much more sensitive than dogs.

Lead (sinkers, shot, old paint) Dose Exposure Calculator
Enter your pet's weight and estimated quantity missing to compare against veterinary literature thresholds.
A standard 1/4 oz fishing sinker weighs approx. 7 grams.
Calculating...

Signs and How Soon They Appear

Vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain and diarrhoea or constipation, then behaviour changes, wobbliness, tremors, blindness and seizures. Merck notes that acute poisoning in dogs and cats is characterised by anorexia, behaviour changes, ataxia, tremors and seizures. Birds show crop stasis, weakness and fluffed-up feathers.

What to Do Right Now

Call your vet if your pet may have swallowed a lead object or chewed old paint. An X-ray usually shows lead objects clearly. Do not induce vomiting at home, because sharp or heavy objects can cause injury. Keep renovation areas closed off from pets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a lead sinker pass through on its own?
Sometimes, but while it sits in the stomach it releases lead. Your vet will usually want it removed.
Why are parrots so often lead-poisoned?
They chew metal toys, old cages, curtain weights and painted surfaces, and they are very sensitive to lead.

Sources and References

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