Did you know that there is a lot of difference between the digestive system of humans and dogs? These little companions are not usually able to digest things that humans can easily digest. I still remember the day when a little bit of baking soda accidentally fell onto the ground and my little dog ate it immediately. It was a horrible accident.
The vet informed me that baking soda intake causes diarrhea and vomiting. I’m sure that a lot of other dog owners could face this type of situation too. That’s why I have decided to share some of my knowledge with you.
Baking soda is dangerous for dogs because it is composed of a sodium cation and a bicarbonate anion. These elements can cause serious medical issues like vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, seizures, and shortness of breath. If left untreated then it can also lead to your dog’s death.
Side-effects of Baking Soda for Dogs
I have mentioned earlier that baking soda can cause some serious health issues in dogs. So, now let’s have a deep look at each of the side-effects of baking soda for dogs.
1. Vomiting and Diarrhea
If your dog has eaten baking soda or any other food that contains baking soda then he may have some vomiting and diarrhea. If your pup is experiencing repeated episodes of diarrhea or chronic diarrhea then you should take him to the vet clinic.
2. Shortness of Breath
Baking soda can cause shortness of breath in dogs. If you notice this symptom, then your dog needs immediate treatment. If not treated on time then it can cause some other heart and lung diseases.
3. Congestive Heart Failure
Congestive heart failure is a serious medical condition that requires proper treatment. If your dog is eating baking soda on a regular basis then it might lead to congestive heart failure in the future. To prevent this serious medical condition then first of all keep him away from all types of food that contain baking soda.
4. Death
It’s a sad fact that eating a lot of baking soda could lead to the death of your dog. It rarely happens but you might not want to take any chance on the life of your dog. So, it’s a safer strategy to keep all the items containing baking soda away from your dog. This step could protect the life of your little dog.
PLEASE NOTE: All the content of this blog is just for informational purposes only. It can’t be an alternate of any doctor’s advice. So, kindly visit any Vet clinic if you have questions regarding the health of your dog.
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How Much Baking Soda Is Safe for Dogs?
Baking soda is dangerous for your dog’s health so you should try to keep it away from him. It’s difficult to know how much baking soda a dog can tolerate because it depends on a lot of factors like age, current health condition, and the weight of your dog.
However, for a general rule of thumb, a dog can handle almost 5 to 11 tablespoons of baking soda per pound of body weight. You can calculate the amount of baking soda that your dog can bear with the help of the following formula:
(5)×(your dog’s weight) = The amount of baking soda that your dog can bear
For example, if the weight of your dog is 15 pounds then he will be able to tolerate almost 45 tbs of baking soda.
But keep in mind that it’s not a hard and fast rule. As I have mentioned earlier, other factors like the age and the health condition of your dog also contribute to the amount of baking soda that your dog can handle.
If your dog is older and is already facing some medical issues then he would not be able to bear even a small amount of baking soda.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can My Dog Eat Food That Contains Baking Soda?
Yes, dogs can eat food that contains a small amount of baking soda. However, if you give them this type of food on a regular basis then it can cause some serious health conditions in your dog. So, you should be aware of the amount of baking soda that your dog is eating.
Does Baking Soda Cause Any Acute Disease in Dogs?
Yes, an excessive amount of baking soda can cause some acute diseases like severe diarrhea and shortness of breath. However, if the amount of baking soda is low then it will just cause some vomiting or lethargy.
Can I Put Baking Soda in My Dog’s Food?
I can’t answer this question with just yes or no because it depends on a couple of factors like the age and physical condition of your dog. If your dog is fit and young then you can add a small amount of baking soda to his food. Avoid giving them baking soda on a regular basis because it can cause some serious health issues in even healthy young dogs.
Final Thoughts
I hope this article helps you understand the side effects of baking soda on your dog’s health. Avoid giving them baking soda on a regular basis. If your dog has accidentally eaten some baking soda then immediately take him to the vet clinic.
These types of accidents can happen a lot. Sometimes the treatment of these accidents is also very costly. If you want to secure the life of your little dog then you should purchase pet insurance from any well-known pet insurance company. So, you can get immediate help from experts without worrying about the actual cost of treatment.
If you find this resource helpful then share it with your loved ones so that they can learn about protecting their pets too. Got some more questions? Feel free to ask them in the comment section. I would love to help you out.
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