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Toothpaste is a product that most of us use. It contains ingredients that help to keep our teeth clean and free of cavities! Toothpaste is usually flavored; the smell of these flavorings could be enough to temp a dog into eating the toothpaste. But what happens if a dog eats toothpaste?
Has your dog eaten toothpaste? Are you worried the toothpaste will make your dog sick? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your dog eats something like this.
We’ve gathered information about toothpaste and whether it can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!
What is Toothpaste?
Toothpaste is a product used to keep our teeth clean and healthy. There are many toothpaste products to choose from; each has a different formula and ingredients.
These products usually come in gel or paste form and may contain the following ingredients (these vary by brand):
- Abrasives
- Flavorings
- Surfactants
- Fluoride
- Antibacterial ingredients
- Remineralizing agents
- Xylitol
- And more
Toothpaste ingredients are meant to make it easier to clean and protect our teeth from decay, plaque, gingivitis, and other issues.
While toothpaste is usually safe for humans (when used as directed), what happens if a dog eats toothpaste? Can the toothpaste make him sick?
Toothpaste & Dogs
Unfortunately, toothpaste made for humans can make a dog very sick. For one thing, xylitol is highly toxic to dogs, and other ingredients can cause digestive issues.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Toothpaste Ingestion in Dogs
You may notice these symptoms if your dog has eaten toothpaste:
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Weakness
- Seizure
- Collapse
- Black tarry stool
- Vomiting
- Coma
If you notice these or other symptoms in your dog, call the vet immediately. This is an emergency.
Treatment of Toothpaste Ingestion in Dogs
The vet may choose to induce vomiting; however, this depends on the amount of xylitol your dog has ingested (may depend on the product and the amount of toothpaste the dog has eaten). If your fur baby isn’t showing any symptoms, the vet may induce vomiting. After this, they will treat your dog with medications for his other symptoms.
In most cases, your canine companion will require an IV for fluids and to administer medications. The vet may also need to treat your fur baby with liver protectants and vitamin E. Your dog may also require a blood transfusion in some instances.
Depending on the severity of your dog’s symptoms, he may need to be hospitalized until he’s in stable condition.
The prognosis is best for dogs who receive prompt treatment after eating toothpaste. In the future, it’s a good idea to keep all toothpaste out of your dog’s reach. You’ll both be happier for it!
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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