The Dangers of Antifreeze

Now it’s getting colder, many of us are topping up our cars and boilers with anti-freeze – but this simple winter job can be very dangerous for our pets.

Here’s an easy guide for dog and cat owners on why anti-freeze is so risky, why animals drink it, what signs to look for, and what to do in an emergency.

Why would a dog or cat drink anti-freeze?

Most anti-freeze products contain ethylene glycol, a chemical that is:

• Sweet-tasting – many pets actually like the taste

• Colourful and watery – spilled puddles look like normal water to a thirsty animal

• Found in lots of places – not just car radiators, but sometimes screen-wash, de-icers and leaky garages/sheds

Even very small amounts can be dangerous, especially for cats.

Why is anti-freeze so toxic?

Once swallowed, ethylene glycol is quickly absorbed from the stomach and turned into other chemicals by the liver.

These breakdown products:

• Damage the kidneys – causing kidney failure

• Upset the body’s acid–base balance – making your pet very unwell

• Can affect the brain, causing wobbliness and changes in behaviour

The really scary bit:

• Pets may look “a bit drunk” at first, then seem to improve, but serious kidney damage can be developing in the background over the next 12–72 hours.

Early treatment can be life-saving. Late treatment is often sadly too late.

Signs your dog or cat might have ingested anti-freeze

Signs can change over time. Your pet may show some or all of these:

Early signs (within a few hours)

• Wobbly, unsteady on their feet – like they’re drunk

• Very sleepy, quiet or “not themselves”

• Vomiting

• Drinking and weeing more

• Fast heart rate or breathinG

Later signs (kidney damage developing)

• Not eating

• Vomiting or retching

• Very tired, hiding away

• Little or no urine produced

• Bad breath, sometimes with a chemical smell

• Seizures or collapse in severe cases

Cats often show vague signs – just being off food, quiet, or hiding – so any suspicion of anti-freeze contact in a cat is an emergency.

What should owners do if they suspect anti-freeze ingestion?

1. Treat it as an emergency

If you think or know your dog or cat has licked, walked through, or drunk anti-freeze:

• Contact a vet immediately – do not wait for symptoms.

• Tell them:

  
  

  • Approximate time it happened

  • What product it was (take the bottle or a photo if you can)

  • Rough amount, if known

  • Your pet’s size and whether they’re a dog or cat

  
  

2. Do not try home treatments

• Do not make your pet vomit unless a vet specifically tells you to.

• Do not give milk, alcohol, or any home remedies – these can make things worse or delay proper care.

• Keep your pet calm and warm and get to the vet as fast as you safely can.

Treatment works best when started very early – sometimes before any clear signs are visible.

How to reduce the risk

A few simple steps can make a huge difference:

• Store anti-freeze and screen-wash in closed cupboards or high shelves, well away from pets.

• Clean up any spills straight away with water, then dispose of the cloth or paper safely.

• Check your driveway, garage and car regularly for leaks.

• Be especially careful if you share spaces (e.g. communal car parks) where other people may spill fluids.

Final reassurance

Anti-freeze poisoning is extremely serious, but speed makes all the difference.

If you’re ever in doubt – maybe your cat walked through a suspicious puddle, or your dog licked something in the garage – it’s always better to call a vet and be told it’s nothing, than to wait and be too late.

If you’d like, I can help you turn this into a printable client handout or a shorter social media version next.