What To Do If Your Dog Ate A Makeup Wipe

Not only are they awesome buddies, but dogs also bring unique happiness into our lives with all the silly things they do!

From putting their heads into you, to spinning around with excitement, to ‘protecting’ you from your spouse – dogs entertain wherever they go!

Not only do our furry friends bring joy into our homes but research shows that owning a pet can reduce stress levels significantly by providing us comfort when needed most. Ultimately this special connection between humans and dogs is one that needs to be nurtured because of all the wonderful benefits it provides for both of us!

Our role in this relationship isn’t all fun and games though. We have to know what isn’t okay for our dogs and know what to do if we need to spring into action. Because they are scavengers, we have to be extra diligent about what our dogs eat. You don’t want your good boy to have any problems because he got into something he shouldn’t have.

So, what happens when a dog eats a makeup wipe? Your dog might face serious medical issues, whether it is an intestinal blockage or poisoning, or he might pass a makeup wipe without any problems; you have to be aware of what could happen if your dog swallows a makeup wipe, and know how to treat him.

I’ll discuss in greater detail below the various issues as well as the possible consequences that your dog could face.

What Are The Dangers Of A Dog Eating A Makeup Wipe?

Hopefully, your dog will pass the makeup wipe without any problems. Unfortunately, that isn’t a guarantee. Here are the most common consequences to keep an eye out for/

Choking

The makeup wipe can become lodged in your dog’s throat, causing him to choke, have difficulty breathing, or have a coughing fit.

Vomiting

Depending on the ingredients of the makeup wipe, chemicals could initially cause your dog to vomit. Later, more serious problems such as an intestinal blockage could also have vomiting as a symptom.

Irritation

Again, depending on the chemicals used in the makeup wipe your dog swallowed, he could experience irritation. This could be anywhere along the path of swallowing and digestion. Although you’ll likely have an easier time noticing if your dog’s mouth is irritated than his stomach.

Poisoning

The chemicals in some makeup wipes could cause poisoning in your dog if ingested. Again, like with the other issues, this may or may not be an issue for your dog depending on what is in the wipe he ate.

Intestinal Blockage

Since makeup wipes are usually made from disposable fabrics such as cotton and polyester, there is always a risk of bowel obstruction if the wipe does not pass through their system.

This means that even if the chemicals do not pose any risk to your pet’s health, the fabric material itself could still cause serious medical issues due to blockage in their digestive tract. 

What Should I Do If My Dog Eats A Makeup Wipe?

It’s always a little bit scary when your pup gets into something that he shouldn’t. Having seen the worst of what could happen to your dog, you probably are interested in the steps you should take if your dog ate a makeup wipe.

Don’t Panic! 

The first thing to remember is not to panic. While the thought of your pup eating something they shouldn’t, can certainly be scary, chances are it won’t be anywhere near as bad as the worst-case scenarios that may be racing through your mind. Oftentimes, dogs’ bodies can process all sorts of things that our minds think they shouldn’t be able to handle. 

Make Sure Your Dog Isn’t Choking

When your dog eats a makeup wipe, you’ll notice right away if he’s choking, and you likely aren’t taking the time to read this but are instead helping your dog. Keep in mind your dog might be coughing and hacking if the makeup wipe is stuck in his through but not fully blocking his air.

Dog Heimlich Maneuver

It’s always good to know how to assist those we love in case of an emergency. Check out this helpful video to aid a choking dog.

Check The Ingredients 

If your pup had access to a makeup wipe then make sure you check out the ingredients of whatever was in the wipe just in case there is anything toxic or dangerous for them.

Call Your Vet Or Animal Poison Control

Obviously, if your pup is in distress you’ll make a call right away. However, some people will still call animal poison control even if their good boy seems okay after eating the makeup wipes.

If you’re unsure of the ingredients in your makeup wipe, an animal poison control center can help. They will be able to tell you whether the makeup wipe contains any substances that could cause problems for your pup and advise you on what steps to take next. 

If you don’t know your local animal poison control number or live in an area that doesn’t have one, call The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888)426-4435.

Monitor Your Dog

If your dog isn’t choking or showing immediate signs of poisoning, you’ll still need to keep an eye on him for any other signs of distress (labored breathing, lethargy, or anything else that makes your dog seem ‘off’).

You’ll need to do this until you know your dog has passed the makeup wipe, which may take days. This is because bits of the makeup wipe can get stuck in and even block your dog’s intestines which will lead to major problems.

Should I Induce Vomiting Or Try To Get Him To Drink Extra Water?

When it comes to a situation where your dog has ingested something unusual, such as a makeup wipe, it is important to take appropriate action.

But whether you should induce vomiting or try to get the dog to drink extra water depends on several unique variables, such as the size of the dog and the ingredients of the wipe.

Every situation is different and therefore it is difficult to give a ‘one size fits all’ answer. To be sure that you are taking the best possible course of action for your dog, it is important to get in touch with your vet and discuss their unique situation.

They can advise you on what steps to take and provide personalized advice based on your dog’s needs. It is always better to be safe and seek professional advice when it comes to the health of your beloved pup.

Can Dogs Pass Makeup Wipes? 

In most cases, your dog will be able to pass a makeup wipe without problems, however, you shouldn’t let your guard down too much until he has passed it.

If your dog does have something serious like a GI block, you’ll want to be able to get him help as soon as possible.

What If My Dog Ate A Used Makeup Wipe?

The chemical ingredients of the makeup wipe may have dissipated enough to not pose much of a threat to your dog, however, I’d still recommend keeping a watchful eye to make sure your dog doesn’t have any of the problems mentioned above.

Besides, you’ll still need to keep an eye on your dog to make sure he passes the wipe and doesn’t suffer from any blockage problems.

And while there likely isn’t enough makeup on the wipe to matter, you should double-check the ingredients of the makeup that was on the wipe just to be sure there isn’t anything toxic to dogs.

Are Makeup Wipes Toxic To Dogs?

It all depends on the specific ingredients and chemicals used, generally speaking, makeup wipes used externally might not cause more than mild irritation. However, if they’re ingested, the effects may range from minor to severe.

If your good boy shows signs of distress or discomfort such as coughing, skin soreness, sneezing, or vomiting you should take him to the vet immediately. 

Remember, that even if your makeup wipe is nontoxic to dogs, there’s still a chance he’ll have an intestinal issue.

If your dog ate more than one makeup wipe and there is a chemical in your makeup wipes that is toxic to dogs, then the chances of irritation or poisoning will rise.

Can Makeup Wipes Kill Dogs?

Yes, but they most likely won’t. There could be an issue with the chemicals, as mentioned above. And there is also the danger of your dog having GI problems.

How Do I Stop My Dog From Eating Makeup Wipes?

Work on commands like ‘leave it’ and ‘drop it’. These are great for when your dog gets into things he shouldn’t! As an aside, we trained our dog, Duke, these commands with an empty pill bottle. It helped teach him to leave those alone as well as learn the commands.

If your dog is getting your makeup wipes off the counter or digging them out of the trash consider switching brands – there might be something in your wipes he’s very attracted to.

Do your best to keep makeup wipes where he can’t get to them and use trash bins that he can’t access such as your garbage bin in the garage or a dog-proof trash can.

Why Do Dogs Like Makeup Wipes?

The things dogs are attracted to can be surprising. Sometimes though, they get into things they are more curious about than attracted to. It’s natural for them to be curious about different smells.

But you might not realize that makeup wipes can give off smells that your dog is attracted to. Not only is it possible for the fragrances added to makeup wipes to be attractive to dogs, but the scent could also remind your furry friend of you! His favorite thing in the world!

Summary: My Dog Swallowed A Makeup Wipe – What Now?

If your dog swallowed a makeup wipe, it is important to be aware of the dangers your dog could face. In most cases, your pup will be able to pass the wipe without problems, but don’t forget to double-check those ingredients just in case!

Keep an eye on him for any signs that something might be wrong and feel free to reach out for professional advice if necessary.

To prevent this from happening again make sure all makeup wipes are stored out of reach from prying and curious teeth. Also, make sure your dog understands the ‘leave it’ and ‘drop it’ commands.

Remember for personalized advice, seeking professional advice from your vet is always the best course of action for both you and your pup.

After your makeup wipe scare is over, go enjoy some quality time with your dog, if you took the time to read this article, it’s clear you love him a lot!