If ingested by animals, isopropyl alcohol (also known as rubbing alcohol) can result in vomiting, confusion, lack of coordination, and in extreme cases, collapse, respiratory depression, and seizures. The skin of a pet shouldn’t be exposed to rubbing alcohol at home.
Why You Should Care About Isopropyl Alcohol
Isopropyl alcohol is rapidly absorbed through your dog’s skin. It has several negative effects.
Isopropyl alcohol goes by a few other names. So, when you shop for dog supplies, be on the lookout for these brands.
Keep Rubbing Alcohol Stored Away Safely
An article from Peteducation.com says “symptoms can be seen after ingestion of less than 1.3 ml per pound of body weight.”
To put that into perspective, 1. Only a quarter of a teaspoon’s worth of 3 ml is used. So, a 10 lbs. Dog could become ill after just 2.5 teaspoons That and more can easily and quickly be absorbed into the mouth and down the throat with one large lap of the tongue. Make sure to keep toxic chemicals, including rubbing alcohol, tightly closed and out of the reach of animals and children.
Could it be that isopropyl alcohol, once regarded as safe, also needs to be limited?
Does Rubbing Alcohol Kill Fleas?
Although alcohol can kill fleas when applied topically, never use it to treat fleas on your dog. There are a lot more options available for treating fleas that won’t harm your dog.
Reader’s Digest suggests people use it to remove ticks off their dogs. But then you are pouring alcohol directly into your dog’s body through an open wound. Aside from the sting, it might not be as safe as you think. Especially if you live somewhere where your dog gets 10 ticks a day (like in the Eastern U.S).
FAQ
Can I spray rubbing alcohol on my dog?
You shouldn’t try to kill fleas by spraying or pouring isopropyl alcohol on your pet’s fur or skin because it can be toxic to animals. This dangerous substance is easily absorbed through the skin and poisonous to animals in sufficient quantities.
What happens if a dog smells rubbing alcohol?
If it has only been a few hours since your dog was exposed to the alcohol, the veterinary team may induce vomiting to eliminate the poison. Your dog may experience breathing issues, low blood sugar, dangerously low body temperatures, and other symptoms as a result of this poisoning.
Do vets use rubbing alcohol?
One of the substances that is slowly making its way into use in the pet industry is alcohol, specifically isopropyl or rubbing alcohol. Veterinarians use alcohol to kill bacteria before giving your dog a shot, for instance, so should you be concerned?
Can I wipe my dogs paw with alcohol?
Attention Pet Owners: Avoid cleaning your pet’s paws with hand sanitizer. It can cause poisoning if absorbed through the skin.