Are Diapers Toxic to Dogs?

It’s a topic many parents may not realize needs consideration, but it’s important to know that kids’ disposable diapers are a potential danger for canine family members.

The contents of our children’s diapers are often left in the garbage.

This causes potentially dangerous bacteria to develop and cause an odor problem, but even worse is the risk of ingestion for dogs who rummage through trash cans or get into garbage disposals.

This is especially dangerous because the chemicals within disposable diapers can cause stomach ulcers, in dogs who ingest them dogs who eat diapers are also prone to developing GI obstruction and other infections.

Are Diapers Harmful To Dogs?

According to the Humane Society of the United States, swallowed diapers are “a common cause of GI obstructions (through foreign body reactions or gastric reflux).

” There is also some concern that pets can confuse plastic saturated with ammonia as chicken skin, causing toxic exposure.

When you consider the potential risks associated with eating a diaper, it’s no wonder many pet owners opt for a more environmentally friendly option, like an old t-shirt or a bedsheet.

Your pooch will love you for it. Dogs aren’t the only victims of diaper ingestion; other animals, like rabbits and poultry (chickens and turkeys), have been known to eat disposable diapers as well.

It’s a possibility that should be taken seriously.

Can Dogs Get Sick from Eating Diapers?

In most cases, dogs don’t experience any adverse effects after ingesting a diaper.

The problem, as with kids’ disposable diapers, is the smell and the potential for obstruction. (It’s not difficult to imagine what that might look like).

Almost all of the risks associated with consuming diapers are caused by bacteria or parasites, which can cause stomach trauma and weakness in dogs who eat them.

In some cases, it has been known to cause death in dogs.

Will Eating A Diaper Kill My Dog?

In most cases, dogs don’t die after ingesting a diaper. The main issue with having a dog ingest and then pass a disposable diaper is the possibility of an obstruction or GI disease that could be life-threatening.

Diarrhea from eating a diaper should not be considered diarrhea from consuming feces.

This is a common mistake people make because they tend to associate the fecal smell with the presence of bacteria, but that’s not always the case.

It is far more common for a dog to get sick from ingesting a diaper because of the chemicals within the diaper than it is for them to get sick from fecal bacteria.

There are other ways that disposable diapers can be harmful to dogs: the plastic resin in disposable diapers can cause allergic reactions and, since they’re not biodegradable, they can take up space in landfills.

Materials Used To Make Diapers:

Disposable diapers are made of mostly plastic resins and super-absorbent polymers or SAP.

The plastic that makes up the diaper is polyethylene and polypropylene, which can cause chemical burns in dogs if they consume enough of it.

If dogs eat enough of the actual diaper, they can also experience a blockage in their intestines as a result of an impacted bowel because of the chemical disruption caused by the diaper’s components.

Polyethylene resin is also used in many household cleaners and disinfectants.

Given that it’s very common for dogs to ingest things they shouldn’t eat, it’s not difficult to imagine how harmful this might be to a dog.

How Do I Stop My Dog from Eating Baby Diapers?

If your dog already has a diaper-eating habit, it’s probably too late. In the same way, you can’t stop a child from putting things in their mouth, you can’t stop a dog from doing so.

Pet owners should be very aware of the contents of what they throw away because dogs may attempt to consume what is inside.

There are plastic liners in many trash cans that can cause a pet, especially young ones, to become trapped inside.

Always check your dog for any signs of discomfort if he consumes something he shouldn’t and always seek medical attention immediately if you suspect an obstruction on account of ingesting something inappropriate.

Fortunately! not all hope is lost, you can prevent it by always making sure that you throw used diapers in diaper pails away from where a dog can reach, you can also potty train your canine friend, another good option would use diapers that are less toxic to dogs.

What Should You Do If Your Dog Ate A Baby Diaper?

If your dog has ingested a diaper, you’ll want to have its stomach pumped as soon as possible.

You may also need to call the local vet immediately so that they can provide any necessary medication or treatments.