Can Dogs Eat Play Dough? No — Extreme Salt Causes Sodium Ion Poisoning

This food is NOT safe for dogs. Keep it away from your pet.

Play dough is toxic to dogs. Both commercial and homemade play dough contain salt, which can cause sodium ion poisoning. Homemade salt dough is particularly dangerous as it contains much higher salt concentrations than commercial varieties. If your dog eats any play dough, call your vet or an animal poison-control service right away.

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Warning Signs & Symptoms

Extreme sodium: sodium ion poisoning — excessive thirst, vomiting, diarrhea, neurological symptoms including seizures, brain damage, and death with severe cases. Commercial Play-Doh: high salt and dyes. Homemade salt dough: even more concentrated sodium.

If Your Dog Ate This

If your dog ate play dough, call your vet, an emergency vet clinic, or an animal poison-control service such as the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435; a consultation fee may apply) right away, even if your dog seems fine. Homemade play dough, salt dough and salt-dough ornaments contain a lot of salt and can cause salt poisoning, so do not wait for symptoms. Commercial play dough usually contains less salt, but the risk still depends on how much was eaten and your dog's size, so let the vet or poison-control expert decide what is needed. If you do not know whether it was homemade or store-bought, treat it as homemade. Signs of salt poisoning include vomiting, extreme thirst, wobbliness, tremors and seizures; get emergency veterinary care immediately if any of these appear. Have the container or recipe, your dog's weight and your best estimate of how much is missing ready. Leave fresh water available but do not force your dog to drink. Never use salt to make your dog vomit, and do not try to make your dog vomit at all unless a veterinarian or poison-control expert tells you to.

What to Avoid

all play dough — commercial and homemade

Preparation & Serving

Call vet or ASPCA Poison Control 888-426-4435 IMMEDIATELY. This is a veterinary emergency. Do not wait for symptoms.

Portions & nutrition

Serving (medium dog): never
Serving (large dog): never
Calories (per 100g): 0
Safe frequency: Never

Source

Source: SAFEFOODFORDOGS

What You Need to Know

Play dough — particularly homemade salt dough recipes — contains extraordinary levels of salt. A cup of homemade salt dough may contain as much as a cup of salt. Dogs find play dough appealing due to the salty smell. Even a few bites of homemade salt dough can cause severe sodium ion poisoning, especially in a small dog; commercial play dough usually contains less salt, but the risk still depends on how much was eaten and the dog's size. This is a genuine veterinary emergency requiring immediate veterinary advice.

Not sure what to do next? Read our emergency guide What to Do If Your Dog Eats Something Toxic

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If Your Dog Ate This — Act Now

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Frequently asked questions

Is Play Dough safe for dogs?: No, Play Dough is not safe for dogs. Play dough is toxic to dogs. Both commercial and homemade play dough contain salt, which can cause sodium ion poisoning. Homemade salt dough is particularly dangerous as it contains much higher salt concentrations than commercial varieties. If your dog eats any play dough, call your vet or an animal poison-control service right away.
What happens if a dog eats Play Dough?: If a dog eats Play Dough, they may experience: Extreme sodium: sodium ion poisoning — excessive thirst, vomiting, diarrhea, neurological symptoms including seizures, brain damage, and death with severe cases. Commercial Play-Doh: high salt and dyes. Homemade salt dough: even more concentrated sodium.
How much Play Dough can a dog eat?: Play dough — particularly homemade salt dough recipes — contains extraordinary levels of salt. A cup of homemade salt dough may contain as much as a cup of salt. Dogs find play dough appealing due to the salty smell. Even a few bites of homemade salt dough can cause severe sodium ion poisoning, especially in a small dog; commercial play dough usually contains less salt, but the risk still depends on how much was eaten and the dog's size. This is a genuine veterinary emergency requiring immediate veterinary advice.

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Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a licensed veterinarian before making dietary changes for your pet.