What Should I Do If My Dog Eats Baking Soda?

Most dog owners have heard that chocolate is dangerous for dogs, but there are a wide array of other foods and food ingredients lurking in your cupboard, pantry and refrigerator that can poison your dog. Baking soda, for instance, is highly toxic to dogs, and ingestion requires immediate attention.

  1. Dangers

    • Both baking soda and baking powder, common leavening agents in home baking recipes, are extremely dangerous when ingested by your dog. The sodium bicarbonate in baking soda and powder can cause muscle spasms, heart failure or abnormal levels of electrolytes, potassium and calcium in your dog's blood.

    Immediate Actions

    • If your dog has eaten baking soda, or if you suspect it has eaten baking soda, contact your veterinarian immediately. If it is after office hours, contact your vet's emergency number, an all hours pet hospital or, in a pinch, your animal control center, poison control center or 911. Time is a factor in saving your dog's life, so do not delay contacting help.

    First Aid

    • Feed your dog 1 tsp. hydrogen peroxide per 10 lbs. of weight -- for example, give a dog weighing 20 lbs. 2 tsp. hydrogen peroxide. This will induce vomiting to remove undigested, recently consumed baking soda. You must still immediately contact medical help for your dog, and never induce vomiting if your dog is having trouble breathing, is unconscious or is having irregular heartbeats.

    Prevention

    • Always keep baking soda, baking powder and other potentially toxic foods or substances on a shelf above the reach of your dog in a panty, cupboard or closet that closes tightly. Immediately correct behaviors where your dog raids pantries, refrigerators or your trash can. Teach children about foods and ingredients that can be dangerous to your dog.