Is Playdough Toxic to Dogs?

Many kids love arts and crafts, and a classic favorite is playdough. Whether homemade or store-bought, it can keep them entertained for hours.

You can find a variety of recipes for homemade playdough, most of which contain ingredients such as flour, salt, cream of tartar, water, oil, and food coloring in varying amounts.

What Is Playdough Poisoning in Dogs?

Although homemade playdough is typically made with common household ingredients, it can be harmful to dogs. The most concerning ingredients are salt and cream of tartar. Cream of tartar contains some of the same chemical compounds as grapes, and like grapes, consuming too much can lead to kidney failure in dogs.

Store-bought playdough doesn’t usually contain cream of tartar but it often contains salt. If a dog eats too much salt, their sodium level can become dangerously high, leading to dehydration. When the brain becomes dehydrated, life-threatening neurologic symptoms can occur.

How Much Playdough Is Toxic to Dogs?

Because there are many different recipes for homemade playdough, there is no clear-cut amount that is considered toxic to dogs. However, store-bought playdough usually contains less salt than homemade versions, so it typically takes a larger amount to cause a problem.

Generally speaking, smaller exposures to playdough can cause milder symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea, and increased thirst, while larger exposures can lead to more severe symptoms, including ataxia, tremors, seizures, or kidney failure.

The specific playdough recipe, the amount ingested, and your dog’s size all play a role in determining toxicity. Therefore, it’s crucial to call the Pet Poison Helpline at 1-855-764-7661 or contact your veterinarian to assess whether the amount your dog ate is dangerous and whether treatment is needed.

Symptoms of Playdough Poisoning in Dogs

The symptoms of playdough toxicity in dogs vary depending on the ingredients in the recipe. However, common signs of playdough poisoning include:

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Decreased appetite

• Increased thirst

• Increased urination

• Low energy level

• Unsteadiness on their feet

• Disorientation

• Changes in behavior

• Tremors

• Seizures

• Coma

My Dog Ate Playdough. Now What?

If your dog might have eaten playdough, call the Pet Poison Helpline or your veterinarian right away.

When calling, it is helpful to have details about the recipe, product label, or ingredient list; the amount ingested; your dog’s weight; and any underlying health conditions. This information will help determine whether your dog consumed a toxic amount, what symptoms might develop, and how much treatment they may need. It is also useful to know when the exposure occurred and whether your dog is showing any symptoms.

Treatment will depend on the severity of the exposure. A small amount may not require hospitalization, but a larger exposure could necessitate hospitalization with IV fluids, blood work monitoring, and supportive care.

Prevention of Playdough Poisoning in Dogs

Dogs aren’t usually very picky about what they eat. Even if playdough doesn’t smell or taste appealing to us, a dog might see it as a treat and gobble it up. To help prevent your dog from eating playdough or anything else they shouldn’t, consider these steps:

• Supervise kids and dogs when they are together. Kids often drop playdough while playing, and your pup might eat it before you notice.
• Use barriers if supervision isn’t possible. Keep pets out of play areas or use a pet gate to keep your dog away from activities that could lead to accidental ingestion.

• Teach your children not to feed pets and to pick up dropped items right away. Kids might think they are being helpful by sharing, but they could accidentally give your dog something harmful. It’s important to remind them to pick up any toys or foods immediately after dropping.

• When your kids aren’t using playdough, make sure it is put away in an area that is not accessible for your dog. Dogs can be quite resourceful when it comes to eating things they shouldn’t. They can get things off the counter and they can even open cabinets. Even if the playdough is in a container, dogs can chew open the container and get at the contents. They might even eat some of the container as well, which presents a different problem like the possibility of an intestinal blockage.

Child safety locks for doors and cabinets are helpful not only for keeping kids safe, but also for keeping your pets safe. If your pup is good at opening trash cans or even doors after they shut, consider a door latch or strap lock to keep those noses out.