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The aloe vera plant is found in many homes. Some pet parents keep aloe on hand to treat burns and other skin problems. But are the plants toxic to dogs? Can aloe make a dog sick?
Has your dog eaten aloe? Are you worried the aloe will make your dog sick? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your dog eats something like this.
We’ve put together some information about aloe and whether it can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!
What is Aloe?
The aloe vera plant is a fleshy succulent plant that is tall and has serrated leaves. The plants also sometimes produce yellow flowers in clusters, which are very pretty. The gel inside the plant’s leaves is sometimes used to treat skin irritations and burns, such as sunburn.
While the aloe gel can be healthy for humans, can it make a dog sick? Is aloe toxic to dogs?
Aloe & Dogs
Unfortunately, the aloe can be toxic to dogs. The problem is the plant contains a chemical called saponin. It’s used in detergents and other cleaners.
If a dog eats the aloe gel, he can become very sick.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Aloe Ingestion in Dogs
You may notice these symptoms if your dog has eaten aloe:
- Abdominal pain & bloating
- Abnormal heart rate
- Lack of appetite
- Coma
- Breathing difficulty
- Dark urine
- Depression
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Dilated pupils
- Excessive drooling
- High body temperature
- Muscle twitches, spasms, and weakness
- Nausea
- Seizures
- And more
If your dog has eaten aloe or you believe he has, call the vet immediately. This is an emergency.
Treatment of Aloe Ingestion in Dogs
When you reach the vet’s, they will work to decontaminate your dog’s system by inducing vomiting or using activated charcoal. The vet will then treat the other symptoms your dog is having. In many cases, your fur baby may require an IV for fluids and make it easier to give him other medications.
Depending on the severity of your dog’s symptoms, it may be necessary to have him hospitalized for a couple of days until he’s stable.
The good news is that dogs who receive prompt medical treatment have the best chance of making a full recovery.
So, if you have aloe in your home, be sure to put it where your dog can’t gain access to the plant. Your dog’s health is essential and prevention is always the best medicine!
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Tom
Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!
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