My Dog Ate a Baby Wipe. What Should I Do?

Did your dog recently eat a baby wipe? Ultimately, the baby wipe will pass through their digestive system within 24 to 48 hours. Even though this will pass through, always keep a sharp eye on your pup for any choking signs. Additionally, observe your dog for any indications of gastrointestinal concerns. A gastrointestinal blockage is the most frequent side effect dogs will get after consuming a baby wipe. Symptoms will include diarrhea, vomiting, sluggishness, and/or dehydration.

We can confidently share that dogs love to chew on things. No matter what it is, if you leave something out on the floor or at easy access, most likely, your pup will try to grab it and chew or play with it. However, some things you should be aware of to keep away from your dog, such as baby wipes.

Baby wipes are helpful and versatile to have throughout a home, even if you are not parent with a baby. Some people have baby wipes in their house to be used in the bathroom, and to clean the house, but for the sake of this article, to also clean their dog’s paws after they have been outside and gotten dirty. Because of the chemicals in baby wipes, it’s necessary to understand the actions to take if your dog consumes baby wipes.

Many factors affect what actions you can take when you find that your dog has eaten a baby wipe. As mentioned above, they will easily pass it through their digestive system, however, you’ll still want to be cautious, so keep reading for the steps you can take!

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3 Simple Actions To Do If Your Dog Swallowed A Baby Wipe

1. Open your dog’s mouth and see if they have the wipe in the back of their throat. Often, dogs like to hide objects from their owners there, so carefully open their mouths and try to extract the baby wipe safely.
2. Check your dog for any signs of distressed breathing. If you notice that your dog is gasping for air or choking, be alert and understand that you may have to give the doggie Heimlich maneuver to your pup.
3. If you know that your dog has consumed a somewhat hazardous baby wipe, maybe one with dangerous chemicals, then you should begin assisting him or her in vomiting. You could use hydrogen peroxide for this, but please be aware that too much can harm your dog, so be sure to know the right quantity.

How Toxic Are Baby Wipes To Dogs

In general, they are not incredibly toxic if used on the exterior of your animal. Baby wipes are made to be used in versatile ways. You can use them for a dog to clean off paws, noses, and coats if necessary. However, baby wipes do contain toxins that dogs should not ingest.

It is safe to use baby wipes on dogs’ paws; however, it’s not suitable for a full-body wipedown because of the moisturizing ingredients in wipes. When you decide to purchase baby wipes to use on your dog, make sure to buy some with the least amount of ingredients and be sure to eliminate fragrances, propylene glycol, and moisturizer ingredients from any wipe you purchase.

An issue commonly found when humans use regular baby wipes on their dogs is an unbalance in their pH levels. pH levels for dogs are notably different from human’s. Using non-animal/dog wipes could potentially disrupt their balance. However, each situation is different with every dog. One dog might be able to pass the baby wipe through their digestive system quickly and with no problems all in one day, whereas another dog might have a severe flareup with stomach issues and need to go to the vet immediately.

If you need to call the vet, the top two questions they might ask you are:

• “Are the baby wipes fragrance-free?”
• “What is the size of your dog?”

By asking you these questions, the vet will be able to determine better if you need immediate assistance or take care of the issue right at home. Your vet will most likely tell you that based on the information you’ve provided, you should keep a keen eye on your dog and that they will most likely be okay. If any of the information you provided them alerts them, they will tell you to bring your dog in to get examined.

Fragrance

Most fragrances are made up of petrochemicals that come from petroleum and natural gas byproducts. Humans have sensitivities to scents and fragrances, resulting in purchasing “fragrance-free” makeup or skincare if you think about it. This would be the same for any animal. Below is a list of just a few ingredients that are sometimes hidden in store-bought regular baby wipes.

• Ethanol
• Benzyl Alcohol
• Phthalates
• Acetone
• Benzaldehyde

Propylene Glycol

Propylene Glycol is harmful to dogs (even cats) and can be seriously harmed if they consume unnecessary quantities of it. Hence, if your dog ingests a baby wipe that has Propylene Glycol, it’s best to be vigilant about getting them the care they need immediately.

Moisturizing Ingredients

Regular baby wipes can sometimes include the same moisturizing ingredients that humans use, which are incredibly toxic for them because these products aren’t made with pets in mind. If you use a regular human lotion on your dog, they could, unfortunately, lick up the lotion ultimately ingesting some of it, causing them to have stomach issues or worse.

Can You Use Baby Wipes Directly On Your Dog?

There are so many alternative options to regular baby wipe brands. Since dogs could potentially lick off leftover moisture, they are most likely only going to be consuming a very small amount, if not already dried, compared to if the dog completely swallowed a wipe. Consider using a neck cone to keep them from licking wherever you wiped them, or simply monitor them and physically stop them from licking themselves if you notice this.

What Are Some Dog-Friendly Wipes Available?

While some fragrance-free baby wipes are a more suitable choice than the other store-bought ones, below are the six most suitable wipes that are made specifically for animals.

• Pogi’s Hypoallergenic Pet Wipes for Dogs
• Plant-Based and Compostable Earth Rated Pet Wipes
• Nature’s Miracle Deodorizing Bath Wipes
• Glandex Wipes
• Earthbath Hypo-Allergenic Grooming Wipes
• Burt’s Bees Wipes For Dogs

Other Everyday Baby Items That Are Hazardous To Dogs

Below is a simple list of some other everyday baby items that can be toxic to your dog if ingested. Take action on what your dog can get ahold of when there is a baby in the house. After all, your pup is just another baby too!

1. Sunscreen
2. Diapers
3. Diaper Rash Ointment
4. Formula
5. Teething Gels

Conclusion

If your dog ate a baby wipe, don’t fret. This will move through their digestive system in roughly 24 to 48 hours. Keep constantly monitoring your dog for any signs of choking or any gastrointestinal blockage. Always make sure to get fragrance and propylene glycol-free baby wipes or look for dog-specific wipes. Making these wise purchasing choices will help ease any concerns if your dog eats a baby wipe because those chemicals won’t be in them for your dog to ingest.

If you are concerned that your dog has swallowed something you think might be dangerous, always contact your trusted vet as soon as possible for advice. If the vet believes it’s a severe problem, they’ll help by extracting the wipe from surgery, but as soon as the baby wipe has moved into their intestines, it’s a vast and challenging operation, and it can cause a lot of damage.

Related Reading: Dog Ate Used Tampons: What To Do?