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My 2 kg chihuahua swallowed a whole sushi roll with wasabi — will her small size make this more dangerous?

Dogs · Food safety

Last reviewed: 2026-09-05 · Reference ranges: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline & Merck Veterinary Manual

Short answer

Size does change the stakes here. A 2 kg dog absorbs any wasabi, raw fish, or pickled ginger in a larger dose per kilogram than a bigger dog would. The rice itself is harmless, but the other parts can cause drooling, vomiting, stomach upset, or diarrhea. Monitor her closely for the next 12 hours, keep her hydrated, and call your vet if vomiting continues or she becomes lethargic.

Sushi — Food safety facts

Feed with care · Dogs · full breakdown on the linked food page

Rice is fine, but wasabi, pickled ginger and raw fish are not.

Dogs and cats carry the same rating (Feed with care), so the notes below hold for either pet.

Sushi is not poisonous to dogs, but it is easy to over-feed. Rich fat, salt or seasoning can bring on vomiting or diarrhoea within a day, and repeated large portions are a recognised trigger for pancreatitis.

If it ate some before you noticed, watch for vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, unusual tiredness or a painful, swollen abdomen over the next 24 hours. A one-off small amount in a healthy adult usually passes with water and rest; repeated exposure, a puppy or kitten, a senior, or a pet with an ongoing illness is a reason to call your vet the same day.

Why these cautions matter

Raw animal protein carries Salmonella and E. coli risk, and those bacteria can spread to the people in the household too.

The full verdict, portion guidance and serving notes are collected on the Sushi food facts page.

Open the full food page: Sushi food facts →