Baking soda is a versatile ingredient found in many homes, used in quite a number of ways. As the name suggests, it is primarily used in baking and cooking, but it is also used in cleaning and deodorizing. If you have one or more furry family members, though, this might present a concern.
While it is never a good idea to feed your dogs baking soda, accidental ingestion of small amounts should prove harmless. However, as with all things, it can get toxic if they consume large quantities.
Baking Soda: The Facts
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a chemical compound that is commonly used as a leavening agent in baking. It is not to be confused with baking powder, which is essentially baking soda after it has been combined with a dry acid such as cream of tartar.
Baking soda is sometimes used as an antacid in humans when taken orally and is regularly found in cleaning products. Its mildly abrasive properties and capacity for absorption make it a wonderful product for scrubbing different surfaces clean. It is also known to absorb odors and moisture from the air, often sprinkled on carpets as a deodorant.
What Happens When Dogs Ingest It?
Baking soda is not something you’ll find in your local pet store. It has a somewhat salty taste with a bitter quality akin to soap. Dogs generally do not find the taste too appealing, but particularly precocious animals might enjoy the flavor a little too much.
The limit of baking soda a dog can consume is anywhere from 10 to 20 grams per kilogram or 5 to 11 tsp per pound of body weight. Typically, a small box of baking soda contains 277 small grams, which is enough for a ten-pound dog to experience toxicity. Smaller dogs are particularly susceptible, as larger dogs might need to eat much more for the ingredient to be dangerous. For example, a 50-pound dog would need to eat four of these small boxes.
The first sign of baking soda toxicity is vomiting. A dog might also experience diarrhea, lethargy, depression, seizures and tremors, disorientation, and shortness of breath. Untreated, this might lead to massive electrolyte imbalances, congestive heart failure, and even death.
Does This Mean My Dog Can’t Eat Baked Goods?
Baking is a part of many processes—the creation of healthy pet food included. That means baking soda is likely to be used in these foods in small amounts. In fact, the amount is so small that your dog is more likely to get sick from the fat content or other food ingredients in baked goods.
Cakes for dogs baked at your local pet store are completely safe even if they use baking soda. It is also safe to use when deodorizing carpets, upholstery, and pet bedding. So long as you use it sparingly, only lightly coating these items before vacuuming them.
Baking soda is also useful for the treatment of bee stings. A paste made from the powder and water can be applied to the affected area once the stinger has been removed. Just make sure to put the dog in a cone so they can avoid licking that area.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to the care of dogs and other animals, it is important to know what chemicals and ingredients are toxic, and which ones are safe. It is also important to know the threshold of toxicity in your common household items. This is the key to keeping your dogs safe and healthy.
For a local pet store in Ann Arbor, Chelsea, or Ludington that provides food and other pet supplies that are fully safe for dogs, send us at Wags to Wiskers an email. We are built by pet lovers for pet lovers, and we offer same-day and curbside pickup as part of our COVID-19 prevention measures.