Is Playdough Toxic for Dogs?

What Is Playdough Toxicity in Dogs?

A household that has both kids and dogs can be a thing of beauty but also has some possible risks, one of which is playdough. While playdough does a great job of inspiring kids’ creativity, it can make dogs sick if their curiosity gets the better of them.

To confuse matters, commercial options, like Play-Doh™ and homemade playdough have different risks.

Homemade playdough is more dangerous because it can have a very high salt content. If a dog eats enough, they can develop salt poisoning, a condition called hypernatremia that makes body tissues swell and can lead to organ dysfunction. Problems become even worse if pets don’t have enough water available.

The recipe for commercial Play-Doh™ is a closely held secret, but it doesn’t appear to have enough salt to lead to salt poisoning in dogs. Still, dogs may have an upset tummy after eating commercial Play-Doh™ because their system isn’t used to it.

Both types of playdough contain wheat, so if your dog is allergic to wheat, their food allergy symptoms may flare up. Also, large amounts of playdough can lead to gastrointestinal blockage, particularly if it's already dried out when it's eaten. Some types of playdough may also contain other ingredients—like cream of tartar—that may be toxic to dogs.

Thankfully, playdough toxicity is not very common in dogs, but it can be a medical emergency—particularly if a dog has eaten large amounts of homemade playdough.

Let’s discuss what you should do if your dog has eaten playdough.

How Much Playdough Is Toxic to a Dog?

If your dog has eaten just a small amount of commercial Play-Doh™, you probably have nothing to worry about. After all, it’s meant for kids as young as 2 years old who still tend to put stuff in their mouths!

Essentially, if the clump of Play-Doh™ is soft and small enough to easily pass through your dog’s digestive tract, you shouldn’t have any problems.

But homemade playdough is a different story. A study published in 2004 showed that dogs can develop symptoms of hypernatremia after eating as little as 1.9 g playdough/kg bodyweight. This table can give you an idea of how much homemade playdough might cause symptoms in dogs of different weights.

Symptoms of Playdough Toxicity in Dogs

Whenever dogs eat something unusual, they may experience symptoms of digestive upset like:

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• A poor appetite

Dogs may also become constipated or develop a gastrointestinal blockage after swallowing a large amount of playdough, especially if it is dried out. Signs to watch for include:

• Straining to poop

• Producing small poops or no poop at all

• A swollen belly

• A poor appetite

• Vomiting

Dogs who develop hypernatremia after eating homemade playdough can develop symptoms including:

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Increased thirst and urination

• Muscle tremors

• Lack of coordination

• Seizures

What Should I Do If My Dog Ate Playdough?

When you know that your dog has only eaten a small amount of soft, commercial Play-Doh™, just keep a close eye on them. If they develop any symptoms, call your vet for advice.

However, call your vet or the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) immediately if your dog has eaten large amounts of any type of playdough or even a relatively small amount of homemade playdough (refer to the table above for guidelines).

A veterinarian can decide if your dog needs to be seen immediately for treatment.

Treatment of Playdough Toxicity in Dogs

Treatment for playdough poisoning will depend on the dog’s size and health history and the type and amount of playdough involved.

Your veterinarian may induce vomiting if the playdough is still in your dog’s stomach. This is usually only a good option within the first couple of hours after a dog has eaten something they shouldn’t have.

Never induce vomiting at home unless your veterinarian has told you to do so. Under some circumstances, vomiting can make the situation worse rather than better.

Supportive care can include a special diet or medications to soothe an irritated digestive system, lessen vomiting, reduce diarrhea, or relieve constipation.

Dogs who experience a gastrointestinal blockage may need to have the playdough removed, with an endoscope or through surgery.

Treatment for hypernatremia centers on intravenous (IV) fluid therapy. The goal is to gradually lower the dog’s sodium (salt) levels until they are no longer dangerously high. The veterinarian will need to closely watch your dog’s blood work, because lowering salt levels too quickly can be dangerous. Dogs will need to be hospitalized until their condition is stable and they are eating and drinking well on their own.

Prognosis of Playdough Toxicity in Dogs

Dogs that have eaten playdough should recover and have no long-term health effects as long as they quickly get any treatment they need.

However, the prognosis becomes more uncertain if a dog develops signs of hypernatremia or gastrointestinal blockage and veterinary treatment is delayed.

Prevention of Playdough Toxicity in Dogs

As is always the case, prevention is better than treatment. Preventing playdough toxicity in dogs is straightforward.

Store playdough and display playdough creations in places that your dog can’t reach.

When the playdough is being used, keep your dog in their crate or another safe spot until cleanup is complete!

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