If you’re like me, you use baby wipes to clean your dogs face or paws after going for a walk outside through the dirt or grass. This ultimately helps to keep your house floors clean and avoid dirt from getting all over your furniture. Otherwise, it’s likely that you have a baby and use baby wipes often for their intended purpose. Either way, I’m sure that your dog is bound to try to eat a baby wipe whether you leave one on the floor or put it in the trash. Our dog ate a baby wipe at 6 months old!
One of the questions that we recently received was “My dog ate a baby wipe. What should I do?” Well, baby wipes should pass fine in your dogs stool after being eaten since they are simply a small tough cloth. After all, baby wipes were created for small children to chew on them and even eat them. Depending on the size of your dog, the baby wipe is going to pass in their poop approximately 24 to 72 hours later. However, if your dog is small or has digestion issues it is important to monitor for signs of choking.
In addition, after your dog eats a baby wipe it’s important to monitor for any signs of gastrointestinal issues. Gastrointestinal blockage is one of the most common side effects after a dog eats a baby wipe. This includes diarrhea, vomiting, sluggishness, or dehydration. Make sure that your dog passes the baby wipe in their fecal matter. If symptoms escalate, always consult your veterinarian.
What to do after your dog ate a baby wipe?
- See if you can remove the baby wipe from the back of their throat. Often times dogs keep objects in the back of their mouth or throat to prevent their owner from taking it. See if you can remove the baby wipe from your dogs mouth safely.
- Check for signs of distressed breathing (i.e. choking). In severe cases you may have to perform the Heimlich Manuever. Be prepared ahead of time to give your dog CPR.
- In severe cases where you think that the baby wipe might be a hazardous material for your dog, you should immediately induce vomiting. Typically, induced vomiting is done via hydrogen peroxide. In correct quantities, hydrogen peroxide is safe for your dog. For more information on hydrogen peroxide, read our article “Is Hydrogen Peroxide safe for dogs?”
Are baby wipes toxic to dogs?
Baby wipes are not significantly harmful to dogs when used for exterior cleaning or wiping. However, baby wipes can be harmful when consumed by dogs. Baby wipes are created in such a way that their pH level matches that of humans which is different from dogs. In general, baby wipes contain toxins that are not suitable to be ingested by your dog such as fragrances, moisturizing ingredients, and propylene glycol.
When using a baby wipe on the exterior of your dog, make sure that the moisture from the baby wipe completely dries on your dog. One of the most common issues with using baby wipes on a dog is that the dog licks and eats the moisture from the baby wipe which contains toxic chemicals like propylene glycol. This manufactured chemical is harmful for dogs and is likely to cause an upset stomach.
In general, when purchasing a baby wipe you intend to use on your dog, you should buy one with the least amount of ingredients as possible and it should be fragrance free. The best baby wipes for dogs are typically the ones that made for sensitive skin since these baby wipes often contain the least amount of ingredients. In addition, it is best if you can find baby wipes for dogs that do not contain propylene glycol since this chemical isn’t recommended for dogs.
Can dogs eat baby wipes?
Dogs should never be allowed to eat baby wipes even if you think they make a great distraction toy. If your dog eats a baby wipe they can encounter gastrointestinal blockage and be digesting the toxins from the baby wipe. In severe cases, gastrointestinal blockage requires x-rays and surgery to remove from your dogs system. As an owner, it’s important to keep your baby wipes out of reach from your dog and discard them properly after use in a sealed trash can.
Can I use baby wipes on my dog?
In general, baby wipes are safe for exterior use on your dog. Baby wipes can be used on your dog to wipe their nose, mouth, paws, and legs. They are an economical way to keep your dog from bringing mud and dirt inside the house However, baby wipes should not ever be eaten by your dog.
Conclusion
In general, if your dog ate a baby wipe it should pass through their stool in approximately 24-48 hours. If you have a small dog, I would monitor for signs of choking or gastrointestinal blockage as it may be difficult for the baby wipe to digest through their intestinal track.
If you have a dog and regularly purchase baby wipes, make sure to get baby wipes that are fragrance free and don’t contain propylene glycol. These are the safest types of baby wipes for your dog in case they decide to eat one.
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Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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