Apoquel Overdose in Dogs: Warning Signs, Treatment, and Safer Alternatives

Apoquel Overdose Alert: What Every Pet Parent Needs to Know

This popular allergy drug is sending pets to poison control.
The drug is Apoquel, and I want to explain what is happening and what you can do about it.

Apoquel has been prescribed by hundreds of thousands of veterinarians and used by millions of dogs. It can stop itching, sometimes very effectively. But there is a serious risk that many pet parents are not being told about.

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Since the end of 2023, reported overdoses linked to Apoquel have jumped by more than 300 percent. This does not involve dogs alone. Cats are being affected too.

What Apoquel Does in the Body

Apoquel’s drug name is oclacitinib maleate. It works by blocking an enzyme called Janus kinase. This enzyme is involved in cell signaling pathways that release pro-inflammatory cytokines during an allergic reaction.

When pollen or another allergen penetrates the skin, the immune system reacts. This sets off inflammation, redness, and intense itching. Apoquel blocks part of that pathway, so the itching decreases.

That sounds helpful, and in many cases it is. But those inflammatory pathways are also part of a normal immune response. When you interfere with them, there can be consequences.

Why the Chewable Form Changed Everything

Apoquel was first approved in 2013 as a capsule. It stayed that way for nearly ten years. Concerns about side effects and toxicity were already being discussed.

At the end of 2023, a chewable version was approved.

Chewables are easier to give. Dogs like the taste. That convenience comes with a serious downside.

Dogs can get into the bottle. Multiple pets in one home may eat them. Well-meaning pet parents may accidentally double dose because they are unsure if a dose was already given.

Pet Poison Helpline reported a 300 percent increase in Apoquel-related calls in 2024 compared to 2023. Most cases involved dogs, but there were also dozens of cats.

What Happens in an Apoquel Overdose

Early signs often include:

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Lethargy

• Loss of appetite

More serious cases can involve:

• Abnormal heart rhythms

• Low blood pressure

• Collapse

• Tremors

• Seizures

• Coma

• Kidney disease

• Liver disease

• Breathing problems

• Severe infections due to immune suppression

Blood work may show bone marrow suppression, where the body stops producing normal blood cells.

There are now over 400 reported symptomatic cases, including more than 350 dogs and around 50 cats.

What To Do If Your Pet Gets Into Apoquel

If your dog has accessed the bottle or you suspect an overdose, contact your veterinarian immediately.

If caught early, vomiting may be induced. At home, this is often done with 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, dosed at one teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight, up to a maximum of three tablespoons. One dose may be repeated once if vomiting does not occur within ten minutes.

Activated charcoal may be used to bind remaining drug in the intestines.

Do not increase the dose or adjust dosing without guidance. Store chewables securely in a cabinet where pets cannot reach them.

Try Safer Options First

Before starting Apoquel, I strongly encourage trying common-sense alternatives.

Diet Comes First

Highly processed kibble is linked to inflammation. Advanced glycation end products formed during high-heat processing can worsen itching.

Whole, gently cooked, raw, or fresh foods provide essential nutrients that support normal immune function. Dogs fed whole foods consistently show lower rates of allergies.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Omega 3s reduce inflammation and support skin health. They can be given through sardines or a quality supplement.

A typical dose is 500 to 1,000 mg per 25 pounds daily.

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Natural Antihistamines

• Nettle leaf tea acts as a natural antihistamine and provides B vitamins.

• Quercetin, found in apple peel, onions, kale, and tea, is one of the most effective natural options I have seen. A common dose is 50 mg per 15 pounds daily.

Other Supportive Options

• Licorice root for short-term inflammation

• CBD for acute allergic flares, starting around 3 mg per 10 pounds twice daily

• Propolis for secondary skin infections, around 100 mg per 10 pounds twice daily for 14 to 21 days

Does Apoquel Still Have a Role?

Yes, it does. Some dogs with severe atopic disease have no quality of life without it. For those dogs, it can be helpful.

But a 300 percent rise in poison control calls is a major warning sign.

If your dog is on Apoquel, be cautious with storage, avoid dosing mistakes, and talk with your veterinarian. If your dog has not tried diet changes, omega 3s, or natural antihistamines yet, start there.

Sometimes the simplest changes make the biggest difference.

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If you want to start with just one supplement, choose a properly dosed omega 3. Many dogs are underdosed, and the benefits are often underestimated.