Cooking outdoors on the grill smells wonderful, doesn’t it? Can’t you just smell that mouth-watering steak cooking, with the juices falling and sizzling on the charcoal below? Many of us love to fire up the grill and eat out in the backyard. It’s fun, plus foods just seem to taste better grilled!
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But what happens if your dog eats some of the ashes?
Why Would a Dog Eat Ashes?
That’s a good question and one that doesn’t have a clear answer. In some cases, dogs may suffer from pica, which is a condition that makes them eat non-food items. These may include anything from dirt and ashes to socks and rocks!
Then there are other dogs who are simply attracted to the food smells that come from the charcoal. Remember those sizzling meat juices? That’s what your dog may be after.
But can ashes make your dog sick?
Eating Ashes Can Make Dogs Sick
Ashes aren’t just the leftovers of charcoal and food juices. They also contain toxins that can be dangerous for dogs including potassium, petroleum, borax, sulfur oxides, lighter fluids, and sodium nitrate.
In addition, if the ashes are still hot, they can cause burns in the dog’s mouth, esophagus, and stomach.
There’s also one more problem—if a dog eats enough ash, it’s entirely possible he could develop an intestinal blockage. This is a life-threatening medical emergency.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of an Intestinal Blockage in Dogs
You may notice these symptoms if your dog has eaten ashes and has developed an intestinal blockage:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain/swelling
- Lethargy
If your dog is showing any of these symptoms, then call the vet immediately. This is a medical emergency.
My Dog Ate Some Ash – What Should I Do?
First, be sure to take your dog from the area, so he can’t eat more ash. Be sure to clean up any spilled ashes and briquettes.
Next, give your fur baby water, which soothes mouth burns and irritation. It also works to dilute lighter fluid and rinse the ash/chemicals from your dog’s mouth.
When you talk with the vet, be ready to tell them the type of charcoal and lighter fluid that was used. They will also need to know if your dog ate ashes or briquettes. The vet may suggest monitoring your fur baby for symptoms, or they may want to see him right away. Do not induce vomiting unless the vet instructs you to do so. Instead, the vet may instruct you to give your dog milk to drink, which can dilute the ingested ashes. This is much safer than inducing vomiting.
If the vet wants you to monitor your canine companion, watch him for the next 48 hours. Take note of any symptoms that may develop, such as vomiting, diarrhea, etc. It is possible the charcoal may pass through your dog’s digestive system without any problem. However, it’s still necessary to monitor your dog’s condition and report any symptoms to the vet.
Be aware that ashes from fireworks can also be toxic to your dog. If a dog eats fireworks ashes, he can become quickly ill. Fireworks contain many toxic chemicals, including sulfur, charcoal, coloring agents, and more. A dog may develop gastrointestinal issues similar to eating other types of ashes, including bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and more.
One of the most common fireworks is sparklers. Even these simple fireworks can include toxic substances that make a dog sick.
If your dog has eaten only a very tiny amount of ash, he should be OK. He may have stomach upset that’s accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea, but these shouldn’t last too long. However, if you suspect he has burnt his mouth on hot ashes then call your vet.
Similarly, if your dog has eaten a large amount of ash, then call the vet immediately.
It’s possible the vet may ask to see your dog. At the vet’s, they will do a complete physical exam of your dog. They may also order lab work, as well as imaging tests. The imaging tests are needed so the vet can work out if a gastrointestinal obstruction is occurring.
Treatment will depend on where and how much ash may be in the dog’s stomach and/or intestines. If the vet finds a blockage, then your fur baby may require surgery. However, with prompt treatment, most dogs will go on to make a full recovery.
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Rebecca MacMillan, BVetMed BSAVA PGCertSAM MRCVS
This article has been reviewed and approved by an independent Veterinarian: Rebecca is a companion animal vet who has always had a passion for writing and client communication. Since her graduation from the Royal Veterinary college in 2009 she has gained a wealth of experience in first opinion small animal practice, in both clinical and managerial roles. She currently works in the South West and deals with a variety of routine and emergency appointments, but particularly enjoys medicine cases. Outside of work and writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, including her bouncy flat coated retriever George!
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