It’s common for dogs to eat things they shouldn’t, and bar soaps are no exception. If you’ve discovered that your dog ate Dove soap, you may be concerned about the potential risks to their health.
While some detergents can harm dogs, the good news is that the dove soap product is generally considered safe for animals to ingest in small amounts.
However, there are still some things you should be aware of.
Is Dove Soap Toxic To Dogs?
No. Dove soap is not toxic to dogs, but taking precautions if your puppy has consumed it is necessary.
While the bar of bath soap is generally considered safe, some types of soap may contain ingredients that can harm dogs, such as artificial fragrances or harsh detergents.
Thus, canines can experience gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting or diarrhea.
Still, Dove is a soap designed to be gentle and moisturizing, making it a decent choice for bathing your pets.
Unlike traditional soap bars, Dove is called a “beauty bar” because it contains moisturizing ingredients that nourish and hydrate the dog skin.
What Will Happen When The Dog Ate Dove Soap?
What happens if a dog eats a bar of soap?
If your dog consumes more soaps than it should, it may experience troubling symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, skin irritations, or gastrointestinal blockages.
In rare cases, soap ingestion can cause more serious health problems, such as organ damage or muscle weakness.
Allergic Reactions
If your furry friend is allergic to an ingredient in Dove soap, they may have symptoms such as itching, redness, swelling, or hives.
They may also undergo anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction in difficult situations.
Irritations
If your dog ingests Dove soap, it will get irritations such as burns or sores in the mouth, hair loss, or skin problems. Moreover, some pups may have excessive drooling or dizziness after swallowing soap.
Gastrointestinal Blockage
What happens if a dog eats soap? This troubling symptom occurs when the soap becomes lodged in the digestive tract, preventing food and other materials from passing through.
Signs of gastrointestinal blockage can include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and a swollen abdomen.
Tummy Ache
A dog eating a bar of dove soap may develop a tummy ache or abdominal discomfort.
This can manifest as restlessness, pacing, whining, or unpleasantness. In some circumstances, puppies also feel nausea or vomiting after eating bars of soap.
Vomiting/Diarrhea
Soap eating or any other non-food item like a blanket can cause digestive upset in pets, leading to vomiting and diarrhea.
These common signs can be worsened when the soap irritates the lining of the digestive tract or causes inflammation.
Lack Of Appetite
After the dog ate bar of Dove soap, it may feel a lack of appetite or unwillingness to eat. This can be due to tummy upset or discomfort brought by the soap bar.
In addition to refusing to eat or showing a decreased interest in food, your furry friends can exhibit other signs such as lethargy, weakness, and weight loss.
They may also show a lack of enthusiasm for activities they normally enjoy and may appear less active or playful than usual.
Swollen Tongue
The dogs tend to develop a swollen tongue or other symptoms of oral irritation. Swollen tongue appears if the soap irritates the mouth or if your dog reacts to one of the soap’s ingredients.
Respiratory Symptoms
Sometimes, puppies that ingest Dove soap or other toxic household items increase respiratory symptoms.
This can happen if any cleaning product, like Dove soap or Ajax dish soap, enters the respiratory tract or your pet inhales soap suds while vomiting.
Respiratory symptoms can entail coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, or shortness of breath.
Swollen Abdomen
When soap causes a clog in the digestive tract, preventing food and other substances from flowing correctly, your dogs are likely to get a distended belly or bloating.
A swollen abdomen may indicate a dangerous and potentially fatal illness known as gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), when the stomach twists and gets blocked.
Burns Or Lesions In The Mouth
What happens if my dog eats soap? The chemicals in the soap might leave burns or sores in dogs’ mouths.
This is because the soap bar is meant to break down oils and may irritate sensitive tissues such as the gums, tongue, and lips.
Furthermore, if the soap is ingested, it might harm the esophagus or stomach, leading to further suffering and difficulties.
Organ Damage
Although Dove’s soap is safe for animals in small quantities, some compounds can be toxic to dogs, especially if consumed in high amounts or over a long period of time.
It can attack the digestive system and promote inflammation, resulting in liver, kidney, and other organ failures.
Moreover, soap can come with ingredients like preservatives or perfumes that are detrimental to animals and can do long-term harm to vital systems like the liver or kidneys.
What Should You Do When Your Dog Ate Dove Soap?
If your dog ate bar of soap, Dove, or any other laundry detergents, you should take the following steps to ensure their safety:
Take The Soap Away
Once you believe your puppy has eaten a Dove soap bar or any inedible items, the first step is to remove the soap and any wrappers from their reach.
This will keep your dog from swallowing, aggravating symptoms, and leading to other health issues.
It is critical to remove the product as soon as possible since dogs may continue to seek for and swallow dangerous chemicals if they are present.
After removing the detergent, consult a licensed veterinarian to establish the best action to guarantee your dog’s well-being.
Call The Veterinary Clinic
If your dog exhibits strange behavior after 24 hours of ingesting soap, call your vet or the Pet Poison Helpline right away.
Your veterinarian can advise you on the best action to guarantee your pet’s protection.
They may inquire about the dose of soap your dog consumed, any symptoms they are having, and the substances in the detergent.
Based on this information, your veterinarian may advise you to observe, treat, or undergo additional testing to determine the extent of the damage.
To guarantee the best potential outcome for your furry friend, act fast and follow your vet’s recommendations.
Flush The Eyes/Mouth/Skin
If you suspect your dog has come into contact with Dove or any other soap, flush their eyes, mouth, and skin with water as soon as possible.
This will assist in removing any soap residue and reduce the risk of discomfort or harm.
For the eyes, flush them gently with cool water for 15-20 minutes, holding their eyelids open to ensure thorough rinsing. For the mouth, wash it with water and monitor your dog for any signs of distress.
Also, gently cleanse the affected skin area with clean water, then wipe it dry with a towel. Avoid using hot water or rubbing the area vigorously, as it can exacerbate irritation.
Figure Out Why He/She Ate It
Determining why your dog ate Dove soap or another toxic ingredient is critical to keep them from swallowing poisonous things in the future.
Some animals may lick soap since they are curious or bored, while others may be drawn to the aroma or flavor of the soap.
If your puppy consumes soap frequently, it might hint at a nutritional shortage or a behavioral issue that must be addressed.
How To Prevent Your Dog From Eating Dove Soap?
You can take several steps to prevent them from ingesting harmful substances in the future.
Providing Your Dogs With Adequate Nutrients And Food
Feeding your dogs a balanced and nutritious diet appropriate for their age, size, and activity level can help prevent them from eating non-food items like soap.
Then, please consult your veterinarian to determine the best type and amount of food for your dogs and ensure they can access clean, fresh water.
Keep Them Entertained
Give your furry friends plenty of toys and playtime to keep them entertained and mentally stimulated. This can keep them from turning to soap bars out of boredom.
Hide The Soap
Store soap in a secure location your dog cannot access, such as a cabinet or closet. Use a child safety lock or another closed container to store the soap.
By keeping the soap out of your pet’s reach, you can reduce the risk of them eating it and experiencing adverse medical conditions.
Offer Them Chew Toys
Provide long-lasting, non-toxic chew toys for your dog’s size and chewing habits. To keep your puppies interested and involved, rotate the toys.
You may lessen the chance of your dog eating non-food things such as detergent by gratifying your dog’s natural chewing behavior.
FAQs
Why Do Dogs Eat Soap?
Dogs may consume soap due to boredom, curiosity, stress, or dietary deficits. Some dogs may consume soap due to underlying medical issues that lead them to want non-food substances.
Some dogs sometimes eat soap due to pica, a disorder where they crave non-food items.
Can Dove Soap Kill A Dog?
No. While Dove soap will not kill a dog, it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and digestive blockages if ingested in large amounts.
Moreover, it can trigger skin irritation, dehydration, and other serious health issues.
Conclusion
If your dog ate dove soap, monitoring them closely for any signs of digestive issues or other health problems is vital.
In most cases, small amounts of bar dove soap are unlikely to bring serious harm to dogs, but it’s still important to seek veterinary clinic care to have advice for treatments if your dog shows any signs of illness.
Taking the proper precautions and knowing the potential risks can help ensure your furry friend stays happy and healthy.
