Will Bleach Hurt My Dog?

Certain items in your home may prove potentially harmful to your dog. These items include chocolate, garlic, grapes, eggs and pepper. In addition to potentially toxic foods, you will want to avoid exposing your dog to chemicals like bleach. Bleach is highly dangerous to dogs, even if the dog does not swallow the liquid.

  1. Bleach Properties

    • Household bleach (or "chlorine bleach") is a corrosive chemical compound. Its active ingredient, sodium hypochlorite, can lead to severe toxicity. Chlorine bleach contains about 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite, and the remainder of the liquid comprises mostly water. Sodium hypochlorite functions as a powerful disinfectant, fungicide and pesticide, but can also cause severe irritation in dogs. If you dogs in your home, always keep bleach products sealed tightly and out of reach.

    Symptoms of Bleach Contact

    • If a dog comes into contact with bleach (without actually drinking it), the animal may experience skin irritation, respiratory difficulties (breathing trouble) or severe eye irritation, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. If bleach comes into direct contact with the eyes, blindness may occur, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Respiratory symptoms develop as a result of the dog breathing in the toxic fumes (called volatile organic compounds).

    Symptoms of Bleach Ingestion

    • If your dog actually drinks household bleach, you have a much more serious problem on your hands and should seek immediate veterinary assistance. Symptoms of bleach ingestion in dogs include vomiting, diarrhea, upset stomach and drooling. Excessive bleach consumption may even prove fatal, so do not delay veterinary treatment if you suspect that your dog may have ingested bleach.

    Additional Information

    • Do not try to induce vomiting in your dog, as additional chemicals can react poorly with the bleach. For example, hydrogen peroxide can induce vomiting in dogs under normal circumstances, and is even recommended by the ASPCA for general first aid, but when mixed with bleach, it can create dangerous chemical reactions. Prevention is your best course of action, so always remember to keep the bleach out of reach.