So your dog or puppy has just eaten vaseline… You’re concerned as to what happens next and whether this is something to worry about.
I have many owners message me about this here at The Puppy Mag, so it’s a topic myself and our veterinarians have a lot of experience with. I’ll run through everything you need to know below.
While Vaseline is generally safe for dogs to consume in small amounts, it can cause problems if consumed in large quantities.
I’ll explain when it becomes an emergency below.
In this article, we’ll discuss:
➡️ What you should do if your dog eats Vaseline
➡️ Whether Vaseline is toxic to dogs
➡️ How much Vaseline is too much
➡️ What signs and symptoms to look out for
➡️ How to treat your dog if they consume too much Vaseline
➡️ Whether it can be resolved at home
➡️ When you should contact your veterinarian
Is Vaseline toxic for dogs?
Vaseline is generally safe for dogs to consume in small amounts, but can cause a toxic reaction if large quantities have been consumed.
Vaseline is made from petroleum, and while it’s not considered toxic, it’s not a natural substance for dogs to consume, and it can interfere with their digestion process.
If your dog consumes a large amount of Vaseline, it can cause digestive problems like diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, and in severe cases, difficulty breathing.
Vaseline can also cause your dog to become dehydrated, so it’s essential to monitor them closely and take action if they exhibit any signs of illness.
What about puppies?
If a very young puppy (under 5 months) has consumed any amount of vaseline it’s important to take them to the vet. It doesn’t mean it’s an emergency, but because we’re dealing with a very young pup with an immature immune system and digestive system, it’s important a vet knows about this as soon as possible.
How much Vaseline is too much for a dog to consume?
The amount of Vaseline your dog can consume without any side effects depends on their weight and size.
✅ A small amount of Vaseline is unlikely to cause any harm to your dog, but if they consume too much, it can lead to digestive problems like diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, and abdominal pain.
What constitutes a “small amount”, we explain this just below.
The more Vaseline your dog eats, the more severe their symptoms will be. If your dog has ingested a large amount of Vaseline, it’s important to take action immediately and contact your veterinarian.
Signs and symptoms that your dog has consumed too much Vaseline
If your dog consumes too much Vaseline, you may notice symptoms like:
- Diarrhea (standard reaction to any consumption of vaseline)
- Vomiting (standard reaction to any consumption of vaseline)
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Abdominal pain
- Constipation
- Difficulty breathing (serious symptoms, warrants emergency)
These symptoms can range from mild to severe, depending on the amount of Vaseline your dog has eaten.
It’s important to monitor your dog closely and take action if you notice any of these symptoms.
What should you do if your dog eats Vaseline?
If your dog has consumed Vaseline, the first thing to do is to determine how much they’ve eaten.
➡️ If it’s a small amount, it’s unlikely to cause any harm, but what constitutes a small amount? Again, this depends on the size of your dog.
If you have a large breed, then a small amount could be considered the original classic 0.6oz sized tin. This size, however, would already be “too much” for a small breed or toy breed.
If your dog has eaten a large amount of Vaseline, you should contact your veterinarian immediately.
Your veterinarian can advise you on what steps to take next, depending on the severity of your dog’s symptoms. If your dog has consumed a small amount of Vaseline, you can monitor them at home and watch for any signs of digestive problems.
Treatments for Vaseline consumption
The treatment for Vaseline consumption depends on the severity of your dog’s symptoms.
If your dog has consumed a large amount of Vaseline, your veterinarian may induce vomiting to remove any remaining Vaseline from your dog’s stomach.
They may also administer activated charcoal to help absorb any Vaseline that’s still in your dog’s digestive system.
If your dog is dehydrated due to diarrhea or vomiting, your veterinarian may provide fluid therapy to prevent dehydration.
Your veterinarian may also prescribe medications to relieve any gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, or abdominal pain.
Can this be resolved at home?
If your dog has consumed a small amount of Vaseline, you can monitor them at home and watch for any signs of illness.
However, if your dog has consumed a large amount of Vaseline, it’s essential to contact your veterinarian immediately.
Attempting to treat your dog at home can be dangerous, and you may not have the necessary tools or knowledge to help your dog recover.
It’s always better to err on the side of caution and seek professional medical attention for your dog.
A word on Petroleum Hydrocarbon Toxicosis in dogs
Petroleum Hydrocarbon Toxicosis is a condition that can occur in dogs when they ingest petroleum-based products such as Vaseline. It can cause various symptoms ranging from mild to severe, depending on the amount of petroleum product ingested.
Petroleum Hydrocarbon Toxicosis occurs when the petroleum-based product enters the digestive system of the dog and causes irritation and inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. This can result in vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
If the dog ingests a large amount of the petroleum product, it can also lead to more severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, tremors, seizures, and even coma.
➡️ This is why it’s important to contact your veterinarian if your dog has consumed a “large” amount of vaseline or petroleum based products.
➡️ As you rightfully might be thinking, how do I know if it’s a large amount? That’s a good question and not immediately obvious, which is why if you are unsure, contact your vet for further guidance.
When should you contact your veterinarian?
You should contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your dog has consumed a large amount of Vaseline (for their body size) or is exhibiting any signs of illness after consuming Vaseline.
Your veterinarian can provide you with the best advice on how to proceed and what steps to take next.
Even if your dog has consumed a small amount of Vaseline, it’s a good idea to contact your veterinarian and seek their advice on how to monitor your dog for any signs of illness.
You can also seek help from this number (888) 426-4435. This is the Animal Poison Control Center
Last thoughts
Vaseline is generally safe for dogs to consume in small amounts, but if they eat too much, it can cause digestive problems and other health issues.
If your dog has consumed Vaseline, it’s important to monitor them closely and take action if you notice any signs of illness.
If your dog has eaten a large amount of Vaseline, it’s essential to contact your veterinarian immediately and seek their advice on how to proceed.
With proper care and attention, your dog can make a full recovery from Vaseline consumption.
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