Dogs are a curious sort of animal. They naturally get themselves into situations and problems that humans normally won't get themselves in, such as eating something that they shouldn't eat.
While a dog can usually tell the difference between something that is good and not good to eat (thanks to their keen sense of smell), sometimes the smell of an item can throw them off, such as the sweet smell of certain chapsticks. Should your dog decided that the scent of chapstick is too good to resist and end up eating the product, you can have some trouble on your hands.
In today's article, we will take a look at what happens when your dog eats chapstick, such as potential issues, and what to do to prevent or remedy any problems. This way you can be prepared should your dog decide to eat this... unconventional snack.
What Attracts My Dog To My Chapstick?
Much like anything a dog may eat, the smell and flavor of certain chapsticks may get your dog's attention. Chapsticks with particular scents, such as cherry, cotton candy, and various others have a smell that will entice your dog, which makes them want to chow down on the lip-care product.
Is There Anything Toxic In Chapstick?
By itself, there is nothing in chapstick that could be considered harmful enough to dogs to warrant any immediate concern. If there were harmful chemicals in the product, humans themselves would unlikely be able to use it safely.
With that said, there are a few ingredients in chapstick that a dog's body is not inherently accustomed to. Ingredients such as cocoa butter and jojoba oil can reek havoc on a dog's digestive track, which can cause certain problems such as vomiting and diarrhea.
Of greater concern is the plastic packaging that the chapstick has. This packaging is not meant for ingestion, and should your dog eat it, it could potentially cause damage to your dog's body.
What To Do If Your Dog Has Ate Chapstick
First off, don't panic, as your dog is likely going to be okay. Just take a breath and follow these steps to see what you need to do next:
Check If Any Plastic Was Eaten
Via imgur.com
If your dog ate the chapstick as well as the plastic around it, you may have a bigger problem on your hands. As a result, consulting your vet may be the best possible option.
Observe Your Dog
Some dogs that eat chapstick will show absolutely no signs of distress. If this is the case with your dog, then you likely have no more reason for concern. Most dogs, however, will likely vomit or have diarrhea, in which case move on to the next steps.
Let Your Dog Eat (a Little) Grass
Your dog may start trying to eat grass if they are experiencing intestinal distress from eating the chapstick. This is normal, as grass will help them to throw up or excrete, which will help them to pass the chapstick through their system. Don't let them eat too much, however, as this may end up making your dog even sicker.
Keep Them Hydrated
Always have a bowl of water near your dog for them to drink, as this helps them to replenish fluids lost from being sick. Should they start vomiting more after drinking water, consider replacing their water with ice cubes, as this will provide some fluid to your dog without being too heavy on their stomach.
Limit Feeding
It probably goes without saying, but while your dog is sick they will likely not want to eat much. Even so, you should at least try to feed your dog a small amount of food each day to try and help them replenish any lost nutrients.
Symptoms Should Improve Within Five Days
If your dog has become sick from eating chapstick, then you should see their condition improve within five days. If it lasts longer than this period of time, you may want to seek vet assistance, as there could be a more serious problem on your hands.
How To Prevent Your Dog From Eating Chapstick
The best way to make sure your dog doesn't get sick from eating chapstick is to prevent them from eating it altogether. Here are a couple of ways that you can make it harder for your dog to get their paws on your chapstick:
- Keep Your Chapstick on Your Person.
- Store Your Chapstick in a Medicine Cabinet or Another Out-Of-Reach location.
- Buy unscented, unflavored chapstick.
Conclusion
While it may concern you that your dog just made a meal out of your chapstick, you have no need to worry now that you know:
· What can happen when your dog eats chapstick.
· How to take care of them if they get sick.
· How to stop your dog from eating the product.
Even though the next few days are likely to be trying if your companion is getting sick, you can rest easy knowing that your dog will likely be okay. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to voice them in the comments section. We thank you for joining us today, and we hope to see you again soon!
