If you have a baby and a playful pup, you must be extra vigilant in order to keep both of them safe. Having a baby and a dog in your home can be a wonderful experience, but it’s important to be aware of the potential dangers to your pup. Diapers, both used and unused, can tempt a curious canine, but they can be toxic to dogs and make them ill. Other common baby items, such as lotions and creams, can be toxic as well. To ensure the safety of your pup, read below to learn more about common baby products that may be harmful to dogs.
Common Baby Items that are Dangerous to Dogs
1. Diapers and Wipes: Dogs are drawn to both used and unused diapers and wipes. While this may be unpleasant for you to discover, fortunately it is unlikely to cause poisoning in your pup. However, eating diapers and wipes can still cause GI upset and may even result in an obstruction in their GI tract.
2. Teething Gels: Teething gels, such as Orajel, can be used to help soothe a baby’s pain and fight infection. However, these gels can be dangerous for dogs if ingested. Many of these gels contain an oral anesthetic called benzocaine, which can cause lead to many problems such as vomiting, depression, heart arrythmias, difficult breathing, and methemoglobinemia in dogs. Benzocaine numbs the throat, so the risk of aspiration increases if your pup vomits. Furthermore, some gels contain a sugar-free sweetener called xylitol, which is highly toxic to dogs and can cause an extreme drop in blood sugar and even lead to liver failure.
3. Diaper Rash Ointment: A tube of rash ointment may look more like a chew toy than medicine to a dog. If your dog chews on a tube of rash ointment they can ingest the contents inside, leading to an array of issues. Many rash ointments contain vitamins or zinc oxide which can irritate the GI tract. Furthermore, if you attempt to induce vomiting or your pup vomits on their own, the ointment can get into the lungs, resulting in serious to life-threatening aspiration pneumonia.
4. Formula: Baby formula can look like a tasty snack to a dog. Fortunately, other than GI upset and possible GI obstruction if the container was consumed, ingesting formula usually isn’t too concerning. Formulas usually contain vitamins and iron, but the amounts are usually small enough that it’s not a major concern, unless a large amount is ingested, or the dog is very small.
If you’re concerned about baby items and their potential danger to your pup, contact Pet Poison Helpline® at (855) 764-7661 and let the experts ease your mind.
