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Does your dog like to eat things he shouldn’t? You’re not alone if this is the case! Many pet parents have dogs that eat just about anything, including Vaseline! Why would a dog eat Vaseline? No one knows for sure, but it does happen. But can Vaseline make a dog sick?
Has your dog eaten Vaseline? Are you worried the Vaseline 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 he shouldn’t.
We’ve put together information about Vaseline and whether it can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!
What is Vaseline?
Vaseline is a name brand of a product that’s also called petroleum jelly (petrolatum). The product is made from a mixture of oils and waxes that form something like jelly. The product was first discovered by Robert Augustus Chesebrough in 1859. However, similar substances were noted by Marco Polo in 1273 (it was called Baku oil) and Native Americans.
Petroleum jelly has long been used for protecting and healing the skin. The main ingredient is petroleum, which seals moisture in the skin. This protection can heal skin and help it retain moisture.
While Vaseline is a safe product for humans when used correctly, what about dogs? Can Vaseline make a dog sick?
Vaseline & Dogs
The good news is that Vaseline is not toxic to dogs. However, it can still make a dog pretty sick, depending on how much of the substance he’s eaten.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Vaseline Ingestion in Dogs
You may notice these symptoms if your dog has eaten Vaseline:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Lack of appetite
- Aspiration pneumonia (may occur if your dog vomits up the petroleum jelly)
If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, call the vet right away. This could be an emergency. Vomiting and diarrhea can be severe if your fur baby has eaten a large amount of petroleum jelly. The concern is that these can also lead to dehydration.
Treatment of Vaseline Ingestion in Dogs
The vet has medications that can stop diarrhea and vomiting your dog may experience. They can also provide your dog with IV fluids if he has become dehydrated. And the vet will treat any other symptoms your canine companion may be having after eating Vaseline.
The good news is that most dogs make a full recovery after eating Vaseline! And remember to keep this product out of your dog’s reach. Prevention is always the best medicine!
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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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