Playdough ingestion
Homemade and store-bought play dough are popular in households with kids. But while it's a staple of childhood creativity, play dough can pose a serious risk to pets—especially curious dogs.
Why Is Play Dough Dangerous?
The biggest risk with play dough is its high salt content. Many homemade recipes contain large amounts of sodium chloride (table salt), which can lead to salt toxicity (hypernatremia) in pets. Even small quantities can be dangerous if a pet eats enough.
Additional ingredients may include:
Food coloring (can cause mild GI upset)
Essential oils (sometimes added to scented doughs)
Cream of tartar (in some recipes, which can be mildly irritating)
Signs of Salt Toxicity
Signs typically appear within a few hours and may include:
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Tremors or shaking
Seizures
Lethargy or collapse
Excessive thirst or urination
Confusion or disorientation
Coma in severe cases
What to Do If Your Pet Eats Play Dough
Don’t wait. Salt toxicity can become life-threatening quickly:
Call animal poison control centers.
ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435
Contact your veterinarian or local emergency clinic.
Do not induce vomiting unless directed to do so.
Depending on the amount ingested, treatment may include IV fluids, electrolyte monitoring, and hospitalization for supportive care.
How to Keep Pets Safe
Store play dough in sealed containers out of reach.
Supervise kids during playtime.
Clean up any spilled or discarded dough.
Educate family members about the risks.
Final Thought
Play dough might seem harmless, but for pets, it's a hidden danger. If your pet eats any playdough, contact animal poison control to determine the severity of the ingestion. Veterinary care may be needed.
