Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a useful substance that is commonly found in almost every household.
In another article I look at whether you should use baking soda for dog bloat.
Aside from it being a great ingredient when baking, it is also an excellent cleaning aid.
In fact, it can be utilized as a home remedy too for simple health conditions, such as heartburn.
It is considered a natural antacid and, therefore, can alleviate the results of acid reflux.
If you are a dog owner, on the other hand, you might be wondering whether or not this particular substance is good for your pet. You are probably scared because your dog drank baking soda water, and you want to know if this could pose danger. Should you take your pooch to the vet if this happens?
For sure, this is making you anxious because you don’t want something bad to happen to your dog due to this. Read on and find out more about the effects of baking soda water on your pup.
Should You Worry If Your Dog Drank Baking Soda Water?
Due to the different uses of baking soda at home, you might have it lying everywhere without you even realizing it.
But what if you have mixed it with water and your curious dog drank it? Should you worry?
According to studies, the effects of baking soda to dogs, as well as to other pets, mainly depends on the quantity that is ingested.
If it is too much, then it could be really dangerous. But if it is just a small amount that is mixed with water, then there is nothing that you need to worry about.
When Is Baking Soda Safe for Dogs?
Did you know that a lot of dog shampoos contain baking soda? The amount is regulated, though, and it is meant to help neutralize pet odor. And since the quantity is too little, you don’t have to worry even if your dog licks the shampoo by accident. You can even use a small amount when brushing your pet’s teeth.
Furthermore, when preparing your dog’s meal, adding a controlled amount of baking soda is totally safe. It has the ability to expand, but this tends to be eliminated once it is cooked.
When Is Baking Soda Dangerous to Your Dog?
Like what we have said above, your dog has to ingest a significant amount of baking soda for it to be really dangerous. Since it is a leavening agent, it could expand in your pet’s stomach, and this could result in various health problems. It may cause abnormalities in electrolytes. It may also lead to muscle spasms, as well as congestive heart failure.
How Will You Know If Your Pet Ingested Too Much Baking Soda?
If your dog has eaten a large quantity of baking soda as is, or even mixed with water, you can expect to see some symptoms, which include vomiting, restlessness, diarrhea, shortness of breath, and tremors. You should also watch out for any signs of depression in your dog.
If you notice any of these symptoms, take your dog to a veterinarian immediately.
What Needs to Be Done if a Dog Drank Baking Soda Water in Large Quantities?
The best thing that you can do if you know for a fact that your pooch has ingested too much baking soda water is to take him right away to a vet’s clinic. The doctor will then monitor the manifestations, and may start giving intravenous fluids. He may also administer activated charcoal as this will help prevent further absorption of the substance into the body.
When you see the symptoms, do not attempt to treat them on your own. It would be a lot better to have a professional do it.
Things to Do to Prevent Your Dog From Consuming Baking Soda Water
To prevent your dog from ingesting baking soda water, you have to be more careful when using this substance. For instance, if you are utilizing it to clean your carpet, you need to keep your pet out of the room while you are cleaning. Once you are done, thoroughly inspect the area and ensure that nothing remains on the surface.
Furthermore, it is important that you keep your stock of baking soda in a safe place, where your dog couldn’t get into it.
Uses of Baking Soda in Dogs
There are plenty of safe ways in which you can use baking soda with your dog. As long as the amount is regulated, it should be fine.
So how can you utilize it with your pet? Take a look at the following:
· Dry Bathing
Does your dog love to play outside? If it does, then it can easily get stinky, especially if it rolls in mud and other dirty areas in your yard. Of course, you don’t want your dog bringing that nasty smell inside your home. But what if you don’t have the time to give it a shower right away? You can then use baking soda to dry bath your pet.
First, make sure that your pup’s fur is dry before you sprinkle a little amount of this substance on it. After which, use a brush to spread it over his coat. This should help eliminate the bad odor while preventing itching as well.
As a reminder, though, you should still find time to give your dog a bath later on as nothing is better in keeping it clean and smelling good than a nice shower with soap and shampoo.
· Eliminating a Dog’s ‘Scent’ in Carpets or Rugs
A dog’s scent could be strong enough that it could fill your entire home, especially in places in which he usually lays on, such as carpets or rugs and even your pet’s bed. Baking soda is an excellent substance that you can use to get rid of the smell.
Sprinkle some over the said areas and let the substance sit there for about half an hour before you vacuum it. Remember to keep your dog away while you do this so as to avoid him from ingesting the baking soda.
· Deodorizing Your Vehicle
Your dog can also leave its smell in your vehicle, and, of course, you don’t want to deal with a bad odor while you are driving. This is something that you can get rid of with the use of baking soda. Sprinkle the substance over the seats as well as floor mats. Give it some time to absorb the odor before you vacuum it up.
If you love to take your dog with you when you go for a drive, then you should keep baking soda all the time. But again, make sure that your pet can’t reach it.
· Cleaning Your Pet’s Food and Water Bowl
To keep bacteria at bay, it is highly recommended that you clean your dog’s food and water bowl on a regular basis. However, the dishwashing soap or liquid that you have at home may contain harsh chemicals that could harm your pet. The same is true with bleach.
So what’s the best solution? Baking soda water and a little bit of salt.
The said mixture is probably the safest way for you to get rid of the bacteria or germs present in your dog’s bowl. It can remove the slime on it. All you have to do is scrub it really good using the solution. You need to rinse it well too with plain water later on.
· Treating a Bee Sting
If your dog loves to play outdoors, it is inevitable that it will get bitten by insects or even stung by a bee. A bee sting can cause pain and discomfort, and this is something that you should address immediately.
Using baking soda and water, you can create a paste. Apply it to the affected area. But before you do so, it is advisable that you remove the stinger first using tweezers. You can apply the paste as needed to help ease the pain.
· Cleaning up an Accident
‘Dog accidents’ inside the house are bound to happen as well. And the only thing that you can do as a pet owner is to be prepared when they occur.
Baking soda is an excellent cleaning agent that you can use to clean up the mess. Although there are also other materials that you can use to do so, this substance is still better because of its ability to eliminate foul odor.
If your dog has an accident on your carpet, for instance, what you can do is to absorb the liquid first with a rag or toilet paper and then apply a mixture of baking soda and vinegar on the soiled area. Leave it there for a few minutes before finally wiping it up.
Final Thoughts
Baking soda is, indeed, a useful substance. You can use it with your dog in so many ways. However, you have to be very careful when utilizing it because if your dog ingest too much of it, it could pose dangers. If this happens, then you need to bring your pet to a veterinarian right away.
To avoid accidents, it would also be best to keep your baking soda out of your dog’s reach.
Photo Credits
¹ Photo by Kaboompics .com from Pexels
² Photo by Leon G
³ Photo by Cassidy James Blaede on Unsplash
⁴ Photo by sarandy westfall on Unsplash
