Can you put bleach in dog drinking water? Essential Tips

Symptoms of Bleach Poisoning in Dogs

Can you put bleach in dog drinking water?

Symptoms will vary depending on the concentration of bleach in the ingested product, as well as the amount of bleach your dog has eaten. If your dog has eaten diluted bleach or mild household bleach products, then they may show these symptoms:

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Lethargy / depression
  • Drooling
  • Pawing at their face or mouth
  • Loss of interest in food
  • Red, angry skin lesions around their mouth
  • Even color-safe (non-chlorine) bleach can irritate the food pipe and stomach and cause vomiting because it contains hydrogen peroxide. If your dog has ingested concentrated (more than 10%) bleach product then more serious effects are possible, in addition to those listed above:

  • Ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract
  • Increased thirst, confusion, tremors, and potentially seizures; caused by hypernatremia (high blood sodium levels) and hyperchloremia (high blood chlorine levels)
  • Damage to the kidneys
  • Irritation of the respiratory tract from the fumes
  • In very severe cases, ingestion of bleach can be fatal
  • Of course, if there is any doubt as to what is causing that problem, if you are concerned that it is going on for a longer period of time, or you dog seems to be really uncomfortable or distressed, then you should be getting in touch with your vet as soon as you notice something is wrong.

    The reason for this is that when its coming back up it will again have the potential to again burn the esophagus. Severe ulceration of the esophagus has the potential to be much harder to treat that stomach ulceration and so avoiding ongoing or repeat damage is something to be avoided if at all possible.

    Metabolic derangements develop with a number of different body systems affected. The kidneys can begin to fail. Vomiting may result in something called aspiration pneumonia. A horrible complication where the vomit is actually inhaled into the lungs. Something that becomes more likely if there are nerve problems, another complication that can develop in severe bleach poisoning.

    The first places that get affected depend on where the bleach comes into contact with your dog first. If they walk through a puddle of strong bleach then their feet will start to burn. If on the other hand they chew on a bottle or lap up a spill, they will get burning to their lips, mouth, and tongue. If any quantity of bleach is drunk, this burning will continue all the way down your dog’s esophagus and into their stomach.

    It’s not always easy to get a dog to drink, especially if their mouth is painful or they are feeling nauseous, but steps you can take include: using cold water or adding ice cubes, giving them milk, adding tuna juice or some low-salt stock. Anything that makes the liquid more appealing.

    Treatment for Bleach Poisoning in Dogs

    Treatment will be supportive, meaning your veterinarian will treat the symptoms rather than having a cure. In mild cases, your veterinarian may suggest caring for your dog at home. This could mean getting them to drink some water or milk, bathing them in mild dog shampoo if they have skin lesions, and monitoring them for symptoms. It is important to note that you should never try to determine if your dog’s case is mild by yourself – always call your veterinarian for advice!

    You should also never try to make your dog vomit at home; but especially not with bleach ingestion. Making a dog sick is dangerous in this case, as the bleach can cause more corrosive damage on the way back up. Plus, there is a risk that your dog may breathe in some of the bleach-containing vomit, causing damage to the lungs.

    Depending on the severity of symptoms, treatment could include hospitalization for monitoring; a fluid drip to correct electrolyte (in this case sodium and chloride) imbalances; medicine to protect the stomach or treat stomach ulcers; and anti-sickness medication.

    Can you put bleach in dog drinking water?

    Bleach in the drinking water!!!! TBKC, American Bully, dogs

    Whether it be a Labrador or a Lhasa Apso, a Poodle or a or Pomeranian; at some point your dog and their surrounding need cleaned and sanitised.

    It is easy to reach for bleach or some other household cleaning agent but are you fully aware of the issues that can arise when you use bleach around pets?