Has your dog eaten baby oil? Are you worried baby oil may make your dog sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place.
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In this article, we’ll take a look at what baby oil is and whether or not it can make your dog sick. Let’s get started!
What is Baby Oil?
Baby oil is a product that’s used to keep a baby’s skin soft, though it can also be used as a skincare product for adults too. A baby’s skin is soft and fragile, which makes it more susceptible to becoming dry, infected, and more. Baby oil can keep the baby’s skin moisturized to avoid some of these issues.
Baby oil comes in various brands, which use different ingredients. Traditional baby oil generally contains these ingredients:
- Mineral oil
- Liquid paraffin
- Vaseline
- Scents
While baby oil has been shown safe for use on babies, what happens if your dog eats baby oil? Can baby oil make your dog sick?
Baby Oil & Dogs
The answer depends on how much baby oil the dog has ingested, as well as the size of the dog. If a dog of any size takes one or two licks of baby oil, they should be OK. This is not enough of the product to make the dog sick.
However, if a dog ingests more baby oil, there’s a chance the dog may become ill. The amount of baby oil will determine how sick the dog becomes.
Baby oil, if ingested in large amounts, can lead to gastroenteritis or colitis. Gastroenteritis is the inflammation of the digestive tract—from the stomach to the intestines. Colitis is the inflammation of a section of the large intestine called the colon.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Colitis & Gastroenteritis in Dogs
If your dog has eaten baby oil, you may notice these symptoms:
- Softer poo than normal
- Diarrhea (may contain mucus or blood)
- Pain when pooping
- No interest in food
- Increased gassiness
- Lethargy
- Vomiting (may be foamy and a yellowish color)
- Abdominal pain
- Fever
- Dehydration
If your dog is showing any of these symptoms, then it’s time to call the vet to have your dog checked.
Treatment of Colitis & Gastroenteritis in Dogs
Treatment will depend on the vet’s diagnosis. If your dog is diagnosed with colitis, then treatment may include feeding your dog a high fiber diet for several days. The vet may also prescribe medications to treat other symptoms your dog may be having.
If your dog is diagnosed with gastroenteritis, treatment may include antibiotics, medication to stop vomiting and diarrhea, and medicine to protect the stomach from ulcers.
In both cases, if your dog has become dehydrated, he may need to have an IV to help rehydrate him.
The good news is that most dogs will go on to make a full recovery after ingesting baby oil! It’s important to get your dog treated as soon as possible to avoid dehydration and ease the pain of colitis and gastroenteritis.
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.
Kim
Kim is a talented author, who loves animals especially dogs. She engaged in writing books and articles relating to animals a decade ago. Kim resides in Chicago with her husband and son. The family is the proud owner of a dog and a parrot (Jack and Lily). Kim wanted more than these two pets, but her husband put his foot down... She often visits elementary schools to talk to the kids about what she learned about pets and how they could learn from them.
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