Dog Ate A Baby Wipe (3 Worries + What To Do)
If your dogs are like most, they’ll devour just about any food they come across. A bite of steak you toss their way, a dog treat, and even most vegetables will disappear as soon as most dogs see them. That’s all fine as long as your dog is getting the nutrients he needs and isn’t getting fat from too many treats.
Some dogs, though, go even further and swallow things that aren’t even food. This can include odd objectives like rocks, socks, and everything in between. If it smells good, these dogs will get it in their mouth and swallow before they even realize it isn’t food.
Other dogs like to get different items to chew or nibble on things and may accidentally swallow bits as they go.
You need to know what to watch for and what to do if your dog ends up ingesting something he shouldn’t have because sometimes the results can be awful.
One nonfood item that some dogs eat is baby wipes. Before we go any further, if your dog is showing signs of distress, don’t hesitate to call your vet just in case.
So, what happens and what should you do if your dog ate a baby wipe? Whether your dog gets an intestinal blockage, is poisoned, or passes the baby wipe without problems or anything in between, you need to be aware of the potential medical issues your dog could face and know how to respond to them. Below I’ll go into more detail about the possible consequences your dog could face as well as how to handle the various issues.
What Happens When Dogs Eat Baby Wipes?
The reality is, there isn’t one sure thing that will happen to your dog if he swallows a baby wipe. Depending on the brand of the baby wipe, how much your good boy ate, your dog’s size, and luck your dog could face one or more of the following issues from eating a baby wipe.
Choking
The most immediately noticeable problem that could happen if your dog eats a baby wipe is choking on it. Knowing when and how to do the Heimlich Maneuver on your dog can be life-saving.
Video Tutorial: Pet Heimlich Maneuver
Gastrointestinal Blockage
One of the most dangerous problems your dog could face from eating a baby wipe is an intestinal blockage. If a baby wipe (or anything else) gets lodged in your pup’s intestines it can cause a blockage.
This can be extremely painful for your dog and is even life-threatening! If you think your dog may have swallowed a baby wipe and he is vomiting, has diarrhea, seems lethargic, has a loss of appetite, or is acting strangely in any way, take him to the vet right away. These are all signs that something could be wrong and that your pup may have an intestinal blockage.
Baby wipes are made of cloth which doesn’t break down in the stomach like food does. If your dog isn’t lucky enough to pass the baby wipe and does have an obstruction, he will likely need surgery to have the baby wipe removed.
Poisoning
Another consequence your dog could face from eating a baby wipe is poisoning. Depending on the ingredients in the baby wipe he ate, there is a chance that your pup could be poisoned if he ingests them.
Irritation of the throat, intestines, mouth, and stomach are all possible as well as diarrhea, vomiting, drooling and difficulty swallowing. If you think your dog has swallowed a baby wipe and he is exhibiting any of these symptoms, call poison control or your vet right away.
Passing The Baby Wipe Without Issue
In some cases, your dog may be lucky enough to eat a baby wipe and pass it without any issue. If this happens, you may not even realize that your dog ate a baby wipe unless you see him do it or see the aftermath days later.
While there are no hard statistics on the matter, this seems to be the most likely outcome. Having said that, however, doesn’t guarantee your dog will be okay every time he eats a baby wipe.
Signs Your Dog Ate A Baby Wipe
Obviously, seeing your dog eat a babe wipe is the surest way to know that your good boy isn’t quite as good as you thought. Other ways you can be pretty sure your dog ate a baby wipe include finding partial baby wipes torn up, pieces of baby wipe in your dog’s mouth, and of course seeing parts of a baby wipe come out either end of your dog are a sure sign he ate one.
What Should I Do If My Dog Ate A Baby Wipe?
The first thing I want you to do is stop beating yourself up. Good and well-trained dogs still do not-so-good things from time to time. If your dog ate a baby wipe, it doesn’t mean you’re a bad dog owner.
What you do next will depend on how far along your dog is with ingesting the baby wipe and what signs (if any) of discomfort he’s showing.
Take It From Your Dog
If your dog is well-trained and you are fortunate enough to catch your dog in time, get the baby wipe away from your dog. Ben Franklin’s advice: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”, has resonated through the centuries for a reason.
By preventing your dog from swallowing a baby wipe in the first place you may save your dog (and your wallet!) a lot of pain.
Watch For Distress
If you’re not able to take the baby wipe away from your dog in time, or if you’re not sure how long ago your dog ate it, keep an eye out for distress signs. These include:
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea
- Labored Breathing
- Unusual behavior
If your dog shows any of these signs call your vet for more specific instructions. You might also want to have the baby wipe packaging nearby in case your vet needs to know what chemicals are in it.
Should I Induce Vomiting Or Provide Extra Food Or Water?
If your dog has eaten a baby wipe, inducing vomiting or giving your dog more water and food could help, but it could also cause more harm. These are only decisions that can be made on a case-by-case basis. Ask your vet or local poison control after you’ve explained your dog’s exact situation.
Be Prepared To Spend Some Money
Unfortunately, some of the consequences of your dog eating a baby wipe may require a trip to your vet. Depending on how long ago he ate it and what symptoms he’s showing, your vet may want to take x-rays or even perform surgery.
Surgery to remove a foreign object from your dog’s intestines can be costly, but your dog is most definitely worth it. If you have pet insurance, make sure your vet will accept it and that the insurance covers the costs involved with surgery. Additionally, if you’ve been with your vet for a while, you might be able to work out a payment plan.
Are Baby Wipes Toxic To Dogs?
Baby wipes can be toxic to dogs. The chemicals and materials used to make the baby wipe your dog ate are what will determine how toxic (if at all) the baby wipe is to your dog.
Fragrance free and all-natural baby wipes are likely not as bad for your dog to swallow. However, that does not mean you should not worry if your dog does get a hold of one of these baby wipes. The potential for poisoning and blockage is still there.
Will Dogs Pass Baby Wipes?
Depending on the size of your dog, whether the baby wipe was chewed up, and luck, then your dog may pass the baby wipe. However, even if your dog passes the baby wipe he might still face irritation from the chemicals used in baby wipes.
Can Baby Wipes Kill Dogs?
Yes, baby wipes can kill dogs. In addition to the chance of obstructing your dog’s intestines, the chemicals used to make some baby wipes are toxic to dogs if ingested in large enough quantities.
Why Would A Dog Eat A Baby Wipe?
If you’ve been around dogs you probably already know that dogs eat all sorts of questionable things. Some things are downright gross while others are odd. But what about baby wipes? Why would a dog eat a baby wipe? The quick and easy answer is it likely comes down to one of two things. The baby wipe smells good (or reminds your dog of you and your family) or your dog is curious about the baby wipe.
In either case, your dog might go for a closer sniff, a lick, and then possibly a taste of the baby wipe.
How To Prevent A Dog From Eating Baby Wipes?
As we discussed above, Ben Franklin’s idea of prevention vs cure is spot on and the best way to avoid the problems a dog could face from eating a baby wipe is to prevent the situation from arising in the first place. Here are some ideas that should help you not only stop your dog from eating baby wipes but other unwanted objects as well.
Keep them out of reach
This may seem like a no-brainer but it’s the most important one. Keep the baby wipes in a place where your dog can’t get to them, such as on a high shelf or in a closed cabinet.
Train your dog
Basic commands that your dog should already understand like ‘no’ and ‘leave it’ are excellent ways to communicate to your dog that you don’t want him to get baby wipes. Of course, for these to work you have to catch your dog when he’s showing interest in a baby wipe.
Use a Dog-Proof Trash Can
If your dog is getting baby wipes out of the trash, you may need to use a dog-proof trash can. There are many different types of dog-proof trash cans on the market, so be sure to choose one that will be difficult for your dog to open. You may also want to consider keeping the trash can in a room that your dog does not have access to.
Use Something Besides Baby Wipes
If you can’t get your dog to leave baby wipes alone there might be something better and safer to use. By switching to something that your dog doesn’t constantly try to eat, you will be reducing your stress and possibly saving your best friend’s life.
Summary: Dog Ate Baby Wipe
If your dog ate a baby wipe, don’t panic. The first thing you should do is take the baby wipe away from your dog if you can. If you can’t or if it’s already too late, keep an eye out for distress signs like vomiting, lethargy, and diarrhea. If your dog exhibits any of these symptoms call your vet right away.
Remember, even well-trained dogs make mistakes sometimes. If your dog ate a baby wipe, it doesn’t mean you’re a bad owner. Just be prepared to spend some money at the vet if necessary and everything will hopefully be okay.