Ointment Toxic to Dogs: 4 Products to Know
You rub some ointment on your own hand or leg in the evening. Two minutes later, your dog is right there licking it. Usually that's harmless, but not always. Ointment toxic to dogs isn't an exaggerated worry. A handful of common products from the medicine cabinet are genuinely dangerous, sometimes after just a single lick. This article lists the risky ointments, so you know when you can relax and when you need to call.
Ointment toxic to dogs: why human ointment isn't the same as dog ointment
A dog breaks down many substances much more slowly than a human and can't clear them through the kidneys as well. What stays on your skin ends up straight in a dog's body through the tongue. Using human ointment on dogs is never simply the same as it would be for a person, not even with a product you buy without a prescription. The same goes for letting a dog lick it off.
The most dangerous category: chemotherapy cream for skin cancer
Creams with 5-fluorouracil, such as Efudex, are prescribed for skin cancer or actinic keratosis. For a dog, this is one of the most dangerous products found in a household. Even a small amount can cause vomiting, tremors, seizures and a severe drop in white blood cells. Symptoms can start within half an hour to a few hours. If your dog has licked this, even a small amount, call the vet immediately.
Psoriasis cream with calcipotriol
Psoriasis cream and dogs is another point of attention. Calcipotriol, often combined with a corticosteroid in products like Dovonex or Taclonex, is a vitamin D-like substance. Licked in large enough amounts, it can raise your dog's blood calcium significantly, leading to drowsiness, excessive drinking and vomiting. Here too, if you're unsure, call the vet instead of waiting it out.
Pain relief gels: diclofenac and ibuprofen
Voltaren, similar diclofenac gels and ibuprofen gel for muscle pain seem harmless because they sit in every bathroom cabinet. For a dog, though, these anti-inflammatory drugs are hard on the stomach, kidneys and liver. A dog also breaks them down far more slowly than you do, so the substance stays active in his body longer. A single lick of a thin layer usually isn't a disaster, but a dog who licks an entire tube empty needs to see the vet.
Tea tree oil and other essential oils
Tea tree oil shows up in all kinds of natural-sounding ointments and balms, often precisely because people see it as pure or natural. Undiluted, it's fairly toxic for a dog. It can cause tremors, wobbly walking and drowsiness. The more concentrated the product, the bigger the risk. Always check the label for essential oils before leaving a balm within your dog's reach.
What's usually fine
A plain, unscented petroleum jelly or a zinc ointment without other additives is usually harmless after a single lick, although your dog might get a slightly softer stool from it. That's annoying, not an emergency. The difference always lies in what else is in the jar. The more active the working ingredient, the more careful you need to be. So always read the full ingredient list, even on a product that markets itself as natural or mild, because those words on the packaging say little about the actual formula.
What to do if you suspect poisoning
Your dog licks dangerous ointment and you're unsure how serious it is? Don't wait for symptoms to show up. Call right away. In Belgium, you can reach the Poison Control Centre at 070 245 245, which also answers questions about pets. The Netherlands doesn't have a comparable public hotline for pets, so call your own vet or the nearest emergency vet directly instead. Bring the ointment's packaging or keep the name handy, since that saves valuable time on the phone.
If it's an ointment on your dog's own paw, prevention is usually easier than calling afterward. Find out how to prevent your dog from licking ointment off, for example with a sock as a barrier once the vet gives the go-ahead. You'll find the right size with the size calculator.
Frequently asked questions
My dog licked my hand cream once, should I call?
With a plain, fragrance-free hand cream, that's usually harmless. If the label lists an active ingredient such as a corticosteroid, a retinoid or a pain reliever, call the vet as a precaution.
How do I know if an ointment is dangerous for my dog?
Check the label for the active ingredient. Chemotherapy drugs, psoriasis products with calcipotriol, pain relief gels and products with essential oils like tea tree oil all belong in the risk group.
Can I always put a sock on my dog to prevent licking?
Only if it's an ointment on your dog's own paw and the vet is fine with covering it. If it's an ointment on your own skin, you help your dog more by simply keeping him away from it.
