PET HEALTH
Can my Pet Lick my Lotion?
In the midst of applying lotion or while slathering on sunscreen poolside, keep an eye out for your furry friend- he or she may come to have a taste!
Wondering why your pooch or feline would want to lick these types of substances to begin with? Some dogs and cats seem to like the taste and smells of lotions and creams. Many are made with coconut, avocado and other enticing scents. However, many lotions contain medication, zinc, insect repellant and other ingredients dangerous for consumption by your pets.
Lotions, Creams, and Body Washes
There are many types of lotions, creams, body washes and other sanitizing products pets may want to lick. Don’t be fooled into thinking they are innocuous just because you can purchase them without a prescription.
Many products intended for humans are not safe for pets and are certainly not meant to be ingested. Humans and canines are different species, and even though most topical over the counter creams and lotions will not cause your pets serious issues, some can. Discourage licking behavior to prevent any health problems from occurring.
Although some of these creams, such as steroid and triple-antibiotic ointments for example, may be recommended by your veterinarian to use on your dog, you must follow directions given by your veterinarian and again, discourage licking behavior by your cat and dog.
Treating a skin wound with a medication is quite different than ingesting it through the mucous membranes and stomach.
Hand Sanitizer
The FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine posted a warning1 about hand sanitizer:
'Attention Pet Owners: Do not use hand sanitizer to clean your pet's paws. It can cause poisoning if absorbed through the skin. Hand sanitizer products can make your dog sick if eaten.'
Additionally, hand sanitizers may contain:
- Ethanol which can lead to alcohol poisoning
- Benzalkonium chloride which is can be found in alcohol-free products resulting in hypersalivation and ulcers of the lips and tongue
- Triclosan which may cause antibiotic resistance, skin cancer and has been reported to alter hormone regulation in animals
- Methanol which has been reported to cause severe problems in humans; it is highly toxic and although it hasn’t been studied in dogs yet, err on the side of caution
It is important to remember that what is not absorbed through the paw pads and belly skin, will be ingested when your pet grooms.
If you have pets in the house at anytime, be sure to use pet-friendly agents for all your disinfecting needs.
Harmful if Ingested by Your Pets
Should Fido run off with a tube or cannot resist licking your arm after you have applied any of types of these products, it would be best to call your veterinarian or poison control immediately. When calling, be sure to provide the name of the product, approximate amount of ingestion, and any side effects your dog or cat is experiencing.
While the container itself may become a choking hazard or intestinal obstruction, there are other dangers personal use products can cause our pets:
PRODUCT |
HUMAN USE |
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS |
5-fluorouracil, 5-FU and Efudex |
Treat solar keratosis, skin cancer |
Vomiting, diarrhea, uncontrollable seizures, bone marrow suppression |
Anti-fungal cream |
Athlete’s foot, nail fungus, yeast infections |
Vomiting, diarrhea |
Calamine lotion |
Poison Ivy and other itches |
Zinc poisoning: vomiting & diarrhea (potentially with blood), breathing difficulty, jaundice/liver damage (yellowing of the whites of the eyes, gums, inner ear flaps and other mucous membranes) |
Diaper rash ointment |
Treat diaper rash |
Zinc poisoning (see above) |
Hormone creams (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone) |
Endocrin disrupter |
Mammary gland enlargement, false pregnancy |
Minoxidil/Rogaine |
Hair regrowth but was initially invented to regulate blood pressure |
Fluid buildup in lungs resulting in heart failure! Vomiting & lethargy are early signs. |
Moisturizers |
Adding moisture, softness and a pleasant scent to the skin |
Drooling, vomiting and diarrhea. These products contain humectants and emollients which become oily when they make contact with the stomach causing various degrees of gastrointestinal distress. |
Muscle-ache creams |
Pain relief |
Aspirin-like compounds (Salicylates) can cause bloody vomiting and even stomach ulcers while those containing menthol and capsaicin can also irritate the GI tract. |
Steroid creams (hydrocortisone) |
Itchy skin |
Vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst, urination, heavy panting |
Sunscreen |
Prevent sunburn |
Stomach distress but many contain zinc oxide (see above) |
Triple-antibiotic creams/ointments |
Cuts, scrapes, wounds |
Vomiting and diarrhea |
Vitamin A creams (retinoids) |
Treat acne |
Stomach upset and birth defects in developing puppies |
Vitamin D creams (Calcipotriene, brand name Dovonex) |
Treat psoriasis |
Vomiting, kidney failure, death! |
When the worst happens, have your veterinarian or poison control on speed dial, and do all you can for your precious furry family member.
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