As pet parents, we’re advised to brush our dog’s teeth on a regular basis. Doing so helps stop tooth decay, keeps your dog’s breath fresher, and keeps his mouth healthy. However, you should never use toothpaste meant for humans to brush a dog’s teeth.
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It can happen that your dog accidentally gains access to your toothpaste. Maybe the tube fell on the floor, and your dog went over to check it out. Or maybe your dog was curious about that stuff you left on the counter. The stuff smells good, so your dog may try to eat it. Accidents do happen. However, human toothpaste can be toxic to dogs.
Human Toothpaste is Dangerous for Dogs
There are a several reasons human toothpaste is dangerous for dogs:
1). Xylitol: is a known toxin for dogs, and it acts quickly in dogs. It can cause low blood sugar (which can be life-threatening), liver necrosis, and more.
2). Fluoride: can also be toxic to dogs, especially at levels found in toothpaste made for us humans. There are some dog toothpastes that contain this ingredient; however, the inclusion of fluoride in dog toothpastes is a controversial issue with many vets. It’s best to avoid this ingredient dog toothpastes.
3). Baking soda & detergents: human toothpastes may also contain baking soda and detergents, which are too harsh for dogs’ teeth. These ingredients can cause damage to canine teeth.
4). Other ingredients: salts and other ingredients can also be harmful or toxic to dogs.
Each brand of toothpaste includes different ingredients and substances. But we can safely say that human toothpastes should never be used for dogs. The main ingredients in human toothpastes are xylitol and fluoride, both of which can be toxic for our canine friends.
My Dog Ate Toothpaste What Should I Do?
Dogs that have only had one small lick of toothpaste should generally be OK. It is possible they could suffer from vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea.
If a dog has had a larger amount of toothpaste, then you may notice these symptoms:
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Weakness
- Malaise
- Seizure
- Collapse
- Black tarry stool
- Coma
- Death
We did find one note that said some dogs may not show any symptoms at all, but then later turn up with liver failure. So, it’s very important to keep human toothpaste out of your dog’s reach.
If your fur baby has had a large amount of toothpaste, then it’s best to the call the vet. They will probably ask to see your dog, and then run tests to check for any signs of toothpaste toxicity. Treatment will depend on the vet’s findings after lab results and a physical exam of your dog. The prognosis is excellent for dogs who receive fast treatment after eating toothpaste.
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Kyoko
Kyoko is from a family of 3 and moved to New York with her parents and siblings when she was 13. Kyoko is fond of spending a great amount of time with pets, specifically her beagle Luna and cat Missy. Her boyfriend often complains that she spends too much time giving attention to their animals. Kyoko has written dozens of articles concerning pets and is aiming at owning a pet shop one day!
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