My Dog Ate Laxatives What Should I Do?
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.
Dogs naturally get into things they shouldn’t from time to time. They’re curious about everything in their environment. But sometimes, our fur babies get into human medications, and depending on the medication, that can be dangerous.
You may be extremely careful with your medications; however, accidents are bound to happen. For instance, you may have taken a laxative to relieve digestive tract issues. It’s possible that one pill or two may have fallen on the floor, and your dog finds them.
Or maybe you left the medication on the table or counter, where your dog can reach it. Being curious and not wanting to miss out on a yummy snack, your canine companion decides to eat the laxative medication! Then what happens to your dog?
Has your dog eaten laxatives? Are you worried the laxatives will make your dog sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, we’ll take a look at laxatives and whether or not they can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!
What is a Laxative?
Laxatives are a type of medication that’s used to treat constipation. They may be used when other methods don’t work, such as increasing fiber in the diet, drinking plenty of fluids, and getting enough exercise.
These types of medications can be found OTC in pharmacies and grocery stores. There are also laxatives that are prescribed by doctors.
Laxatives come in four types:
- Bulk-form: these are used to add fiber and stimulate the bowels to move.
- Osmotic: draw water from the body and into the bowel to make poo softer and easier to pass
- Stimulant: stimulates the muscle in the gut to help move poo out
- Stool softeners: these also work to draw water into the poo to make it easier to pass
In most cases, stool softeners are not considered toxic to dogs. Some are even used to treat constipation in dogs. However, if your dog is constipated, never give him medication for meant for humans. Only use a laxative if your vet has advised you to do so.
Chocolate Ex-Lax & Dogs
There is a chocolate-flavored Ex-Lax, meant for humans, which can be toxic to dogs. This is because the medication contains chocolate, which is a known toxin for canines.
If your dog has ingested chocolate Ex-Lax, then you’ll need to call the vet right away.
Review symptoms, medications & behavior to keep your pets healthy with a Vet Online in just minutes.
Ask a Vet Live NowLaxatives & Dogs
Apart from chocolate-flavored Ex-Lax, laxatives meant for humans can cause some problems in dogs. If your dog has ingested laxatives, you may notice these symptoms:
- Cramping
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
The diarrhea and vomiting can last up to 24 hours. However, if your dog is showing other symptoms or you’re worried about your fur baby, then it’s always best to call the vet. They’ll have the best information on what to do next to help your canine companion.
FAQs
Are Laxatives Harmful to Dogs?
Laxatives are usually not harmful or toxic to dogs; however, it depends on the size of the dog and how many of the pills he’s eaten. For instance, a small dog who eats 2-3 human laxatives could become sicker than a large breed dog who ate the same amount of medication.
If your small dog has eaten more than one laxative pill, it’s best to call the vet. Don’t wait until your fur baby has symptoms. The vet may be able to ease any symptoms that develop over time. However, depending on the type of laxative and the amount eaten, your vet may suggest monitoring your dog’s symptoms and calling if his symptoms become severe.
The same applies to a larger dog who has eaten a lot of laxative pills—it’s best to call the vet.
Can Laxatives Kill a Dog?
Laxatives do not kill a dog unless he’s eaten enormous amounts of the medication. However, laxatives can cause severe dehydration in a dog due to the diarrhea they cause. Untreated dehydration can be dangerous for a dog. So, if your fur baby develops dehydration from eating laxatives, it’s best to call the vet right away.
The good news is that most dogs will survive a laxative overdose just fine. However, they won’t feel good or be very happy as they deal with the effects of the laxatives. Be sure to follow your vet’s advice, and you may want to keep your dog in an area that’s easy to clean until he’s feeling better.
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.
Review symptoms, medications & behavior to keep your pets healthy with a Vet Online in just minutes.
Ask a Vet Live Now
