Baking soda is a mild, yet incredibly effective cleaner that is found in households worldwide. You may be wondering if it’s safe to use around your dogs. Is it gentle on their skin? What if they swallow some of it?
Keep reading to learn more about how to safely use baking soda around dogs and what to do if your dog eats too much of it.
Does Baking Soda Hurt Dogs’ Skin/Teeth/Paws?
If your dog gets baking soda on their skin, teeth, or paws, it won’t irritate them or cause any pain.
Baking soda is very mild; in fact, it can help alleviate rashes and redness on your dog’s skin when mixed with water to create a thick paste.
Just apply the paste to the affected area of your dog’s skin and remove it after 20 minutes.
In addition to being safe to use on your dog’s skin, it’s okay to use it on their paws as well.
If you cut their toenails too short, and they start to bleed, baking soda can help stop the bleeding.
Just apply some baking soda to the toenail and apply pressure with a sterile cloth until the bleeding stops.
However, you shouldn’t use baking soda to clean your dog’s teeth. While the baking soda won’t do any harm to the teeth themselves, it can be toxic to your dog if they swallow too much of it.
Baking soda is commonly used in toothpaste for humans because we spit out toothpaste after using it, but your dog will end up swallowing it.
Pros Of Baking Soda For Dogs
- It’s great for deodorizing – both around and on your dog. It can easily be used to eliminate unwanted dog smells around your house and car. It can also be applied directly to your dog’s skin to help get rid of any especially nasty scents your dog has picked up (such as from a skunk).
- It can be used in lieu of shampoo. If you’ve run out of regular dog shampoo, don’t fret. Just add three tablespoons of baking soda and a few drops of dish soap to your bath water. Your pup will come out squeaky clean and smelling great!
- It makes a great dry shampoo. Don’t want to go to the hassle of giving your dog a full bath? Just sprinkle some baking soda on their skin, use a soft brush to comb it through their fur, and use a hand towel to wipe up any excess baking soda. It will trap and remove odors, helping your pup smell fresh and clean.
Cons Of Baking Soda For Dogs
The main downfall of using baking soda for dogs is that it can be toxic to dogs when consumed in large quantities.
It’s best to keep baking soda away from anywhere your dog can eat it.
How Much Baking Soda Is Toxic For Dogs?
Thankfully, dogs need to eat quite a bit of baking soda in order for it to be toxic.
According to the American College of Veterinary Pharmacists, a dog can experience symptoms of toxicosis if they’ve ingested at least 10-20 grams of baking soda per kilogram of body weight.
In simpler terms, here’s how much baking soda your dog needs to consume before it becomes toxic based on their body weight:
- 1-10 lbs: more than 0.3 tablespoon
- 11-25 lbs: more than 3 tablespoons
- 26-40 lbs: more than 7.5 tablespoons
- 41-70 lbs: more than 12 tablespoons
- 71-90 lbs: more than 21.5 tablespoons
- 91+ lbs: more than 27.5 tablespoons
A small dog would need to eat at least three quarters of a box of baking soda in order for it to be toxic.
Because baking soda has a bitter taste, most dogs are unlikely to find it appealing, but it’s still important to keep your baking soda somewhere your dog can’t access it.
How Can You Use Baking Soda For Dogs?
Baking soda is a great alternative to shampoo for your dog.
Whether you’re looking for a dry shampoo or something to add to your dog’s bath water, baking soda is the perfect choice.
To use baking soda as a dry shampoo, just sprinkle it on your dog’s coat.
Use a soft brush to comb it through their fur, and use a towel to wipe up any extra baking soda.
If you want to try baking soda in your dog’s bath water, all you have to do is combine three tablespoons of baking soda with several drops of a gentle dish detergent in the water.
The baking soda will gently clean even the most sensitive skin.
You can also use baking soda to stop your dog’s toenails from bleeding.
Just apply some baking soda to the nail and apply pressure with a sterile pad. Before long, the bleeding will stop and your dog won’t feel any more pain.
What To Do If Your Dog Licked Baking Soda?
If your dog licked baking soda, don’t fret. It’s unlikely that they ate enough to be harmful, but you should still call your veterinarian for advice.
They will be able to tell you if further treatment is required.
Be sure to provide your dog with constant access to fresh water to keep them hydrated in case they vomit and to help the baking soda move through their digestive system.
In some cases, it’s necessary to take your dog to a veterinarian.
They may give your dog activated charcoal to induce vomiting to rid the body of toxins.
They may also give your dog IV fluids to keep them hydrated. Baking soda may end in death for dogs who consume large quantities and don’t receive the proper treatment.
By keeping baking soda where your dog can’t access it and eat it, you can safely use baking soda to keep your pup clean–whether you’ve got access to a tub of water or not.
Conclusion
To sum up, baking soda is safe for dogs as long as it’s not consumed in large quantities.
If you have a large dog, chances are it will never come even close to consuming a dangerous amount of baking soda. That being said, you should be more careful if you have a smaller dog breed.
In fact, baking soda has several uses for dogs. It makes a great dry shampoo, can help stop bleeding, and can eliminate unwanted odors on your dog and around your home.
My name is Katie, and I have had different pets at home for as long as I can remember. While I can definitely say I love all animals in general, my heart belongs to cats and dogs. I know you are supposed to choose one or the other, but I could never really decide. I’ve also owned hamsters and fish when I was a kid, and they filled my childhood with very delightful memories.
