What happens if my dog licked baking soda
My Dog Ate Baking Soda! Heres What to Do (Vet Answer)
The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.
Learn moreSome dogs are incredibly fussy and wont eat anything except their chosen biscuit brand. Others will eat everything from garbage to roadkill. Some are a weird combination of the two; they turn their nose up at kibble but steal bread rolls when you arent looking.
Either way, its not uncommon for a dog to get hold of things they shouldnt, and its important to know what to do if they do.
My Dog Ate Baking Soda What Should I Do?
First, make sure you prevent your dog from eating any more baking soda. This usually means putting your dog elsewhere whilst you clean up any spills. Next, work out how much baking soda your dog has eaten. If your dog has eaten a large amount relative to their size, you should call your veterinarian or animal poison control for advice. For smaller amounts, you can monitor your pet for signs of illness.
You may notice that your dog looks a bit uncomfortable. They may adopt the prayer or downwards-facing dog position, with their elbows and chest on the floor and their bottom in the air. If they foam at the mouth or vomit more than once, even if the amount theyve eaten was small, its a good idea to call your vet for advice.
You should never induce your dog to vomit unless told to do so by a vet or poison center, as this can cause severe problems if done incorrectly, or when the ingested substance is caustic. Your vet will explain how to do this safely if they think its necessary.
You should allow your dog to have ready access to fresh water, and keep them calm. Since all that gas being produced can cause bloat, its a good idea to watch them for signs of unproductive vomiting and dry retching, which can indicate an emergency case of bloat.
What is Baking Soda?
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a common kitchen cupboard ingredient. Its used to help cakes and cookies risewhen the powder meets acid, it forms bubbles of carbon dioxide. In fact, its this process thats harnessed when kids make a volcano in science classvinegar is added to the baking soda and it foams and bubbles, increasing in size.
Baking soda shouldnt be confused with baking powder. Baking powder contains sodium bicarbonate mixed in with other ingredients.
Is Baking Soda Toxic to Dogs?
Although not strictly poisonous, baking soda can definitely cause problems for dogs that eat too much. Your dogs stomach is filled with acid, so it reacts with the baking soda your dog eats. A small amount is unlikely to do any harm, but a large amount can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, and even bloat.
Theres Baking Soda in My Dogs Food, Should I Be Worried?
The small amount of baking soda used in homemade dog biscuits or cakes isnt anything to worry about. In addition to being a small amount, the baking soda will have already reacted and created all the bubbles its going to. In other words, the cooking process makes the baking soda safe.
My Dog Shampoo Contains Baking Soda Is It Safe?
Baking soda is known to reduce odors, so it is commonly used in dog shampoos to control odors on your dog. If your dog licks himself with the shampoo on, the baking soda shouldnt do any harmbut you should check the rest of the ingredients to make sure theres nothing else thats potentially harmful if ingested.
I Use Baking Soda in Cleaning, Is It Safe for My Dog?
Baking soda is sometimes used as a natural cleaning agent, sometimes in combination with white vinegar. Its sensible to keep your dog away from areas that you are cleaning to avoid them coming into contact with these chemicals. However, if you do notice that your dog licks something you recently cleaned with soda, its usually nothing to worry about.
If youre using baking soda on your carpets to control odor, its a good idea to keep your dog out of the room until youve hoovered it all upyoull likely be using enough that your dog could ingest a large amount if they take a liking to licking the carpets.
Should I Use Baking Soda to Brush My Dogs Teeth?
Although the small amount of baking soda youd need to brush your dogs teeth is unlikely to do them any harm, its a good idea to avoid using baking soda for dog tooth brushing. Its abrasive and can cause problems for the teeth, as well as not tasting that nice for your dog. Dog toothpaste is far saferand tastierfor your canine pal.
Final Thoughts
Although baking soda is safe for dogs in small amounts, you should keep a close eye on your dog if they eat any, and call their veterinarian if they appear ill or if theyve eaten a large amount.
See Also:
Featured Image Credit: evita-ochel, Pixabay
Is Baking Soda Bad For Dogs? Even If They Ate Or Drank It?
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a useful substance that is commonly found in almost every household.
In another article I look at whether you should use baking soda for dog bloat.
Aside from it being a great ingredient when baking, it is also an excellent cleaning aid.
In fact, it can be utilized as a home remedy too for simple health conditions, such as heartburn.
It is considered a natural antacid and, therefore, can alleviate the results of acid reflux.
If you are a dog owner, on the other hand, you might be wondering whether or not this particular substance is good for your pet. You are probably scared because your dog drank baking soda water, and you want to know if this could pose danger. Should you take your pooch to the vet if this happens?
For sure, this is making you anxious because you dont want something bad to happen to your dog due to this. Read on and find out more about the effects of baking soda water on your pup.
Should You Worry If Your Dog Drank Baking Soda Water?
Due to the different uses of baking soda at home, you might have it lying everywhere without you even realizing it.
But what if you have mixed it with water and your curious dog drank it? Should you worry?
According to studies, the effects of baking soda to dogs, as well as to other pets, mainly depends on the quantity that is ingested.
If it is too much, then it could be really dangerous. But if it is just a small amount that is mixed with water, then there is nothing that you need to worry about.
When Is Baking Soda Safe for Dogs?
Did you know that a lot of dog shampoos contain baking soda? The amount is regulated, though, and it is meant to help neutralize pet odor. And since the quantity is too little, you dont have to worry even if your dog licks the shampoo by accident. You can even use a small amount when brushing your pets teeth.
Furthermore, when preparing your dogs meal, adding a controlled amount of baking soda is totally safe. It has the ability to expand, but this tends to be eliminated once it is cooked.
When Is Baking Soda Dangerous to Your Dog?
Like what we have said above, your dog has to ingest a significant amount of baking soda for it to be really dangerous. Since it is a leavening agent, it could expand in your pets stomach, and this could result in various health problems. It may cause abnormalities in electrolytes. It may also lead to muscle spasms, as well as congestive heart failure.
How Will You Know If Your Pet Ingested Too Much Baking Soda?
If your dog has eaten a large quantity of baking soda as is, or even mixed with water, you can expect to see some symptoms, which include vomiting, restlessness, diarrhea, shortness of breath, and tremors. You should also watch out for any signs of depression in your dog.
If you notice any of these symptoms, take your dog to a veterinarian immediately.
What Needs to Be Done if a Dog Drank Baking Soda Water in Large Quantities?
The best thing that you can do if you know for a fact that your pooch has ingested too much baking soda water is to take him right away to a vets clinic. The doctor will then monitor the manifestations, and may start giving intravenous fluids. He may also administer activated charcoal as this will help prevent further absorption of the substance into the body.
When you see the symptoms, do not attempt to treat them on your own. It would be a lot better to have a professional do it.
Things to Do to Prevent Your Dog From Consuming Baking Soda Water
To prevent your dog from ingesting baking soda water, you have to be more careful when using this substance. For instance, if you are utilizing it to clean your carpet, you need to keep your pet out of the room while you are cleaning. Once you are done, thoroughly inspect the area and ensure that nothing remains on the surface.
Furthermore, it is important that you keep your stock of baking soda in a safe place, where your dog couldnt get into it.
Uses of Baking Soda in Dogs
There are plenty of safe ways in which you can use baking soda with your dog. As long as the amount is regulated, it should be fine.
So how can you utilize it with your pet? Take a look at the following:
Dry Bathing
Does your dog love to play outside? If it does, then it can easily get stinky, especially if it rolls in mud and other dirty areas in your yard. Of course, you dont want your dog bringing that nasty smell inside your home. But what if you dont have the time to give it a shower right away? You can then use baking soda to dry bath your pet.
First, make sure that your pups fur is dry before you sprinkle a little amount of this substance on it. After which, use a brush to spread it over his coat. This should help eliminate the bad odor while preventing itching as well.
As a reminder, though, you should still find time to give your dog a bath later on as nothing is better in keeping it clean and smelling good than a nice shower with soap and shampoo.
Eliminating a Dogs Scent in Carpets or Rugs
A dogs scent could be strong enough that it could fill your entire home, especially in places in which he usually lays on, such as carpets or rugs and even your pets bed. Baking soda is an excellent substance that you can use to get rid of the smell.
Sprinkle some over the said areas and let the substance sit there for about half an hour before you vacuum it. Remember to keep your dog away while you do this so as to avoid him from ingesting the baking soda.
Deodorizing Your Vehicle
Your dog can also leave its smell in your vehicle, and, of course, you dont want to deal with a bad odor while you are driving. This is something that you can get rid of with the use of baking soda. Sprinkle the substance over the seats as well as floor mats. Give it some time to absorb the odor before you vacuum it up.
If you love to take your dog with you when you go for a drive, then you should keep baking soda all the time. But again, make sure that your pet cant reach it.
Cleaning Your Pets Food and Water Bowl
To keep bacteria at bay, it is highly recommended that you clean your dogs food and water bowl on a regular basis. However, the dishwashing soap or liquid that you have at home may contain harsh chemicals that could harm your pet. The same is true with bleach.
So whats the best solution? Baking soda water and a little bit of salt.
The said mixture is probably the safest way for you to get rid of the bacteria or germs present in your dogs bowl. It can remove the slime on it. All you have to do is scrub it really good using the solution. You need to rinse it well too with plain water later on.
Treating a Bee Sting
If your dog loves to play outdoors, it is inevitable that it will get bitten by insects or even stung by a bee. A bee sting can cause pain and discomfort, and this is something that you should address immediately.
Using baking soda and water, you can create a paste. Apply it to the affected area. But before you do so, it is advisable that you remove the stinger first using tweezers. You can apply the paste as needed to help ease the pain.
Cleaning up an Accident
Dog accidents inside the house are bound to happen as well. And the only thing that you can do as a pet owner is to be prepared when they occur.
Baking soda is an excellent cleaning agent that you can use to clean up the mess. Although there are also other materials that you can use to do so, this substance is still better because of its ability to eliminate foul odor.
If your dog has an accident on your carpet, for instance, what you can do is to absorb the liquid first with a rag or toilet paper and then apply a mixture of baking soda and vinegar on the soiled area. Leave it there for a few minutes before finally wiping it up.
Final Thoughts
Baking soda is, indeed, a useful substance. You can use it with your dog in so many ways. However, you have to be very careful when utilizing it because if your dog ingest too much of it, it could pose dangers. If this happens, then you need to bring your pet to a veterinarian right away.
To avoid accidents, it would also be best to keep your baking soda out of your dogs reach.
Photo Credits
Photo byKaboompics .comfromPexels
Photo by Leon G
Photo by Cassidy James Blaede on Unsplash
Photo by sarandy westfall on Unsplash
