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My chihuahua ate coconut oil and is vomiting. Should I see an ER vet?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Chihuahua | Female | spayed | 9 lbs

My chihuahua ate a lot of coconut oil and has diarrhea and vomiting. Mostly she seems ok except for feeling miserable. But it was so much, should we take her to an emergency vet? Or is there something we should do/give her?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on November 7th, 2016

The problem with eating a lot of coconut oil is that it can cause pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is a life threatening inflammation of the pancreas that requires intensive treatment. Given what she has eaten, her symptoms, and the fact that eating a lot of fatty and oily food leads to pancreatitis, I think it's best she is taken into an ER vet now.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on June 11th, 2018

    Coconut oil can cause some GI irritation (vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite). Also the oil content in the coconut oil is high, so pancreatitis would also be a concern of mine following ingestion. Pancreatitis can produce the same symptoms but you can have blood in the stool, lethargy and pain in the belly. I would monitor him for these symptoms for the next 24 hrs. You can also give him a bland diet of boiled plain chicken and rice or cottage cheese mixed in with his normal diet for the next few days to help settle his stomach. If he does not improve within 24 hrs then a vet visit is warranted. I hope that Scooter is able to recover well from his coconut oil ingestion. Best wishes and take care!

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