Do you have products in your home that contain jojoba oil? If you so, you may even have some dog care products that contain this soothing oil. The fact is jojoba oil has become very popular in recent years. It’s in many products for humans and even dogs!
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While this oil is generally safe to use on dogs, it can cause problems if ingested.
What is Jojoba Oil & How is It Used?
Jojoba oil is a natural oil made from the seeds that come from a plant called the Simmondsia chinensis, otherwise called a jojoba plant. The plant is a shrub that’s found in northwestern Mexico and parts of southern Arizona and California.
The oil of the jojoba plants has been used for centuries for its healing properties. And while this substance is referred to as an oil, it more resembles wax. The waxy oil is a natural fungicide and humectant (meaning it helps moisturize and soften skin).
Jojoba oil is often used in skin and hair care products for humans and dogs. In dog skin care products, the substance is often used to treat hot spots, dry skin, and more.
What Happens if a Dog Eats Jojoba Oil?
It does happen that your fur baby may be attracted to the oil itself or a product that contains the oil. There are many reasons for this, but the main reason is that dogs are undiscerning when it comes to eating things.
Jojoba in small amounts will probably not hurt for your fur baby. He may have an upset stomach, vomiting and some diarrhea. This will most likely pass in about 24 hours. However, if he happens to eat a larger amount, you could be facing a messier problem.
Jojoba is not known to be toxic to dogs; however, it can cause a huge mess if a dog eats a large amount of the substance. If your canine companion has the chance to eat a large of amount of this waxy substance, then be prepared to have cleaning supplies on hand.
Your fur baby could experience an upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, etc. He could also develop a case of severe, foul-smelling diarrhea after eating jojoba oil. The result could be tarry-looking poo that’s a bit runny, but more like wax. The waxy oil can stain fabrics, carpets and more.
If your fur baby develops this type of diarrhea or shows other worrisome signs and symptoms, then be sure to call the vet right away. Chances are extremely high your dog will be OK, but if he has severe diarrhea or vomiting, these can lead to dehydration, which will need to be treated by the vet.
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Julie
Julie is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, where she studied Animal science. Though contrary to the opinion of her parents she was meant to study pharmacy, but she was in love with animals especially cats. Julie currently works in an animal research institute (NGO) in California and loves spending quality time with her little cat. She has the passion for making research about animals, how they survive, their way of life among others and publishes it. Julie is also happily married with two kids.
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