Most dogs exposed to electronic cigarette or e-liquid remain asymptomatic or develop only mild signs, study confirms

7 January 2026

The majority of dogs (94%) exposed to e-liquids remain asymptomatic or develop only mild signs and can be managed conservatively, a new study has confirmed.

The study, by researchers at the UK’s Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPS) and published in the Journal of Small Animal Practice, analysed 321 canine cases reported to the VPS for electronic cigarette or e-liquid exposure, to assess the risk of nicotine toxicosis in dogs.

Over half (53%) of dogs remained asymptomatic after oral exposure to e-liquid and 41% developed only mild signs. Among those that developed clinical signs (47%), emesis, hypersalivation, and tachycardia were the most common. Other potential signs of nicotine toxicity, such as tremor, ataxia, or tachypnoea, occurred in less than 7% of cases. Clinical signs generally resolved within a few hours, with a median recovery time of 3 hours, varying from 10 minutes to 6 days.

Out of the dogs, 28% received no treatment or observation only, and 45% received gut decontamination, most commonly activated charcoal only or oral lavage only. Two dogs required the removal of a foreign body (an electronic cigarette and an e-liquid refill bottle).

A moderate, severe or fatal outcome was reported in 6% of cases. Two dogs died; one after chewing a bottle of e-liquid, and experiencing progressive tachypnoea, persistent tachycardia and hypotension, and one was euthanised due to financial constraints.

The severity of poisoning wasn’t related to the reported dose, and it’s not clear why large doses didn’t cause severe nicotine toxicosis. The majority of dogs exposed to e-liquids can be managed conservatively and treatment is symptomatic and supportive.

Nicola Bates, lead author of the study, said: “Although severe effects following exposure to e-cigarettes or e-liquid is uncommon in dogs, each case should be assessed on a case-by-case basis to determine if any decontamination or treatment is required”.

Read the full article here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jsap.70014