My Dog Ate a Dryer Sheet—Now What?

If you’ve ever caught your dog eating a dryer sheet, you know how scary it can be. Not only are you worried about the potential toxicity, but you’re also wondering what you need to do to make sure your dog is safe. Luckily, while dryer sheets are definitely not meant to be eaten, one sheet is generally not toxic to dogs, although it can cause some mild gastrointestinal upset like vomiting or diarrhea.

We’ll go over the most up-to-date information from veterinarians and toxicology research to give you a complete picture of what happens when a dog eats a dryer sheet. We’ll talk about the potential dangers, what you should do, and how you can prevent your dog from eating things that could be toxic. By the end, you’ll know exactly what to do and feel confident that you can handle the situation if it happens to come up.

First Aid: What to Do If Your Dog Eats a Dryer Sheet

If your dog eats a dryer sheet, the first thing you should do is stay calm and assess the situation. According to Medium, find out how many dryer sheets your dog ate and when they ate them. Do not try to make your dog vomit at home, as this veterinary source explains that it can be dangerous and cause more problems.

The most important thing to do is call a veterinarian or pet poison control center immediately to get professional medical help. As Hemp Well points out, dryer sheets are made with toxic substances, so it’s important to get veterinary help as soon as possible. Make sure to follow the veterinarian’s instructions, which may include making your dog vomit within a certain time frame if you can get them to the vet quickly enough, or taking them in for an evaluation and treatment.

The longer you wait, the more dangerous it becomes, so make sure to get professional help as soon as possible. With the help of a vet, you can make sure to take the right steps to treat the situation and make sure your dog is safe.

Potential Health Risks and Long-Term Effects

Dryer sheets are made with a number of chemicals, including cationic detergents and synthetic fragrances, that are toxic to dogs if ingested. Doodle Doods notes that these chemicals can lead to gastrointestinal obstruction, chemical burns, skin and eye irritation, respiratory distress, and neurological problems. In the most serious cases, dryer sheet consumption can also result in organ damage, including kidney failure and liver toxicity.

The Kingsdale Animal Hospital says that cationic detergents are particularly concerning because they cause severe chemical burns in the mouth, throat, esophagus, and stomach. This can lead to symptoms like gagging, visible oral ulcers or burns, drooling, loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. In the most serious cases, neurological symptoms can also develop.

If the chemicals aren't treated, the long-term effects of consuming dryer sheets can include chronic digestive issues, ulcers, or respiratory problems. Love Your Dog says that the severity of the symptoms will depend on the amount of the dryer sheet that was consumed, the size of the dog, and how quickly they receive medical care. It's important to get your dog to the vet right away to minimize the risks and any potential complications that may arise.

Multiple Dryer Sheet Ingestion

If a dog has eaten multiple dryer sheets, the chances of toxicity and the severity of the symptoms increase. In fact, according to Hemp Well, this can lead to severe complications like pneumonia, which can be deadly.

In this case, dog owners should watch their pet for signs of vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, seizures, or difficulty breathing. Hepper stresses that this is an emergency and that pet parents should get their dog to the vet right away. The dog may need more aggressive care, like vomiting induction or hospitalization.

The vet may also want to do tests like X-rays or blood tests to determine the extent of the ingestion and if there are any obstructions. It's important to make sure that you follow the vet's orders to the letter, as time is of the essence when it comes to multiple dryer sheet ingestion. Waiting to get care can make the situation much more dangerous for the dog.

What Can Pet Owners Use Instead of Dryer Sheets?

To avoid the risk of pets eating dryer sheets, pet owners can look for safer, non-toxic alternatives. As noted by Pet Parents®, these include wool dryer balls, aluminum foil balls, vinegar, and baking soda for softening clothes and reducing static. The Smart Sheep website also recommends making your own dryer sheets with cloth and essential oils or vinegar to add a natural scent to your laundry.

When it comes to getting pet hair off of clothes, Mindful Momma recommends lint rollers, pet brushes, and wool dryer balls. By using these alternatives, pet owners can avoid the potential danger of the chemicals in dryer sheets.

How to Avoid Accidental Dryer Sheet Ingestion and Training Tips

To avoid accidental dryer sheet ingestion, it is important to store laundry products in a secure location that is not accessible to pets. The Pet Poison Helpline notes that "Keeping dangerous items up high (if you have dogs but not cats) can be an easy prevention action. Adding locked or difficult to open cabinets can help to minimize exposures." The TreeHugger article also suggests either keeping pets out of the laundry room or making sure the doors to the washer and dryer are closed when they are not in use.

It is also important to clean up any spills or loose dryer sheets as soon as possible to eliminate potential hazards. Canine Care Central recommends training dogs to respond to the 'leave it' command and to avoid coming into contact with laundry products. This can be done through positive reinforcement training, which can also be used to teach dogs to avoid dryer sheets and other items in the home that could be dangerous if ingested.

By following these steps and training methods, pet parents can take steps to minimize the risk of accidental dryer sheet ingestion and help keep their pets safe.

Conclusion: How to Keep Your Pet Safe and Prepared

While dryer sheets are a common household item, they can be dangerous if ingested by dogs. Knowing the risks and how to respond to an emergency is important for keeping pets safe. By working with a vet, considering alternative products, and taking preventive measures, pet owners can reduce the risk of accidental dryer sheet ingestion.

Being prepared and informed will help pet owners know what to do and how to best care for their dogs. With the right information and planning, pet owners can create a safe and healthy environment for their pets.