My Dog Ate Food Coloring Will He Get Sick?

Have you seen those cute YouTube videos of dogs that have been naughty and caught in the act? There’s usually quite a mess all around the dog, who sits calmly and innocently in the middle of it all. When asked if they made the mess, the dog gives a long look up at the camera. Those videos are so cute!

But what happens if you find your dog has made such as mess? Imagine a scenario with food coloring all over everything including your dog! Wait, can food coloring make your dog sick? That might be the first question to ask if this happens to you and your dog.

Food Coloring

Food coloring is made of pigments that are added to certain foods to make them look better. For instance, margarine may include a yellow food coloring that makes it look more like real butter. Food colors are used in many types of foods—everything from ketchup to cereal—anything that’s processed and packaged usually includes food coloring.

There are natural and synthetic food colorings. Natural food colorings are usually harmless and can be made from plant materials. Artificial food colorings are sometimes made with ingredients that may seem strange but are approved by the FDA to use in food products.

Is Food Coloring Safe for Dogs?

We couldn’t find any definitive information in answer to this question. However, if the food coloring that the dog ate was safe for human consumption, then it’s probably OK for your dog, too. However, it is possible the food coloring could contain an ingredient that may cause an allergic reaction in some dogs.

Another issue is that the food coloring, depending on how much was eaten, could cause digestive issues in dogs with sensitive stomachs. In that case, the dog may become nauseated, vomit and have diarrhea.

What to Do If Your Dog Eat Food Coloring

If your dog happens to just lick a little bit of food coloring, then chances are he will be just fine. One lick won’t be enough to make him sick. However, he may have a funny colored tongue for a bit!

On other hand, if your dog ate a lot of food coloring, then you may want to monitor him for any signs that he’s feeling unwell. And if you have any questions or your dog is showing any concerning symptoms, then call the vet right away. It’s better to be safe than sorry.