Can I put Vaseline on my dogs balls?
The answer is: Yes. When used appropriately, Vaseline can be helpful in treating minor skin conditions and as the main ingredient in some hairball remedies, such as Laxatone or PetroMalt, it can also provide welcome relief.
How toxic is vaseline for dogs?
Vaseline is not toxic in and of itself. As mentioned above, it’s a “harmless” petroleum jelly, though it can cause some indigestion.
The potential toxicity comes from what ingredients are included in the vaseline. One of the main ones that are often added is cocoa butter. This can be toxic for dogs even in small amounts, so eating vaseline with that in it can turn it into a toxic product.
This is also similar to flavors, including many essential oils, dyes, and more. Dogs often have allergies to these things, too, further complicating any potential directions and health conditions.
You already know the answer to this because we talked about it above. Assuming that they’ve eaten a small amount of regular, plain vaseline, your dog should be okay, save for some understandable indigestion!
The main complication with classic vaseline is the dehydration factor. Since your dog will be struggling with diarrhea and vomiting, dehydration can set in quickly in dogs, especially smaller ones.
In dogs, dehydration is a serious complication, and it requires a trip to the vet as soon as possible. If it’s not treated in time, your dog can die from it. Symptoms of this include:
As soon as you see these symptoms, you’ll want to bring your dog to the vet immediately so that they can intervene.
Why is Vaseline bad for you?
Unrefined petroleum jelly does contain some potentially dangerous contaminants. The EWG suggest that a group of carcinogens called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons could cause cancer and damage the reproductive organs. People interested in trying petroleum jelly should buy it from a reputable source.
What Happens If a Dog Eats Vaseline
Vaseline, which is a brand name petroleum jelly, is a common household product with many uses. But, did you know vets also use and recommend petroleum jelly to treat dogs in various ways?
For example, one of the most common ways petroleum jelly is used for dogs is to put a little bit on their paws when they go outside in the winter. The petroleum jelly acts as a water repellent, preventing snow and ice from building up on their pads and in between their toes.
Petroleum jelly may also be applied to dry or cracked pads to moisturize them and prevent them from further drying out. Additionally, vets will sometimes use a little bit of petroleum jelly as a laxative for constipated animals.
If your dog has licked or eaten Vaseline, you have absolutely no reason to be alarmed. Vaseline is non-toxic to dogs. However, if your dog has consumed a fairly large amount, it will likely make them sick, causing upset stomach, vomiting, and/or diarrhea. Continue reading to learn more…