Dogs love to eat a variety of things that just don’t appeal to us. One of these is soap! For some reasons, there are dogs that just can’t pass up that yummy bar of soap. But why?
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Believe it or not, eating soap is a common issue in dogs. Maybe you’ve seen your precious pup actually wolf down a bar before you could get away! Don’t worry—you’re not alone if your pup has a penchant for bars of soap!
Is Bar Soap Dangerous for Dogs?
In most cases, bar soaps are made with non-toxic ingredients that won’t poison your dog. However, he may not feel too well after chomping down on soap. Your fur baby may show these signs and symptoms if he’s munched on some soap:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
There could be some danger for your fur baby if the soap contained ingredients that are toxic to dogs. These can include essential oils, disinfectant, etc. Another possible danger is that a bar of soap could become lodged in your dog’s intestine, causing a bowel obstruction. This is a medical emergency that could be life threatening.
Signs of a bowel obstruction may include:
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- Abdominal pain and bloating
- Straining to poo, constipation
- Lethargy
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
What to Do If Your Dog Ate a Bar of Soap
First, do not induce vomiting if your dog has eaten an entire bar of soap, as this could become lodged in his throat. note the type of soap your dog’s eaten and note the symptoms he’s having. If you suspect your canine companion has a blocked intestine, then call the vet immediately.
When you reach the vet, they will examine your fur baby and more than likely will order some blood tests. Imaging may also be necessary if the vet suspects your dog has a blocked bowel. The images will show where the bar of soap is lodged, which can help the vet determine the best to way to get it out.
In the case of a bowel obstruction, your precious pup may need surgery to remove the soap. He may also need to be hospitalized for a few days after the surgery, just to make sure he’s recovering OK.
Some dogs do develop a taste for soap—in this case, it could be they’ve developed pica. This is a condition with many causes. If your fur baby keeps his soap habit, it may be necessary to see the vet for advice on how to treat the pica. They may recommend visiting a dog behaviorist to help your dog kick his soap habit.
Prevention is the best medicine. Storing soap where your fur baby can’t get it is the best way to keep him safe. Then be sure to give him proper chew toys for him to enjoy!
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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