Can I sprinkle baking soda on my dog? 8 ways it can be used

In this research you will know the answer to the query “Can I sprinkle baking soda on my dog? 8 ways it can be used“.

It is common for pet owners to encounter unexpected problems with their dogs but some can be solved very easily.

The numerous uses of baking soda around the house may surprise you. You’d be surprised at how much this basic and cheap ingredient can help you with your dog. As long as you use it properly there is no need to visit the vet or buy expensive products from the pet store.

I explored in my previous research how worried you should be if your dog licks or drinks baking soda and I explore in this research 8 ways dog owners think baking soda can be used with their dogs but only seven of them are safe.

Starting off with a situation in which you should never use baking soda as a cure- when your dog has bloat.

Can I use baking soda for dog bloat?

Gas in dogs can be caused by certain foods or by eating too fast and ingesting air while doing so. If you want to give him a gas remedy you can mix a teaspoon of baking soda with some water.

Gas and flatulence are not to be confused with dog bloat which can be very serious. Symptoms such as these are easily identifiable as Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV).

• A stomach that is distended and hard
• A dog pacing around trying to retch comes up with only a little saliva after unsuccessfully attempting to retch
• It shows obvious signs of distress and anxiety

Gas and liquid build up in the dogs stomach causing it to expand like a balloon and causing breathing and heart problems. 

In this case do not even think about baking soda or any other home remedy. Take the dog to the vet now as you need immediate medical attention.

Can I give my dog baking soda for an upset stomach?

Dogs suffering from upset stomachs (vomiting and diarrhea) have the same problems as humans with the added difficulty that they might make a mess all over the house. 

The chemical name of baking soda is sodium bicarbonate and you can give your dog the same treatment to calm down an upset stomach. Take your dog a few sips of this mixture every two hours. Mix one teaspoon baking soda with half a cup of water. Using a plastic syringe you can give the dog a little bit of this inexpensive remedy if he refuses.

Bakers soda can be dangerous for your pet only in large quantities which means one teaspoon per pound of body weight or more.

Call a veterinarian if you suspect your dog has consumed a lot of baking soda.

Will baking soda induce vomiting in dogs?

In cases where a dog swallows something toxic making him vomit might save his life. Nevertheless this is not a simple task especially if the dog is in distress and you are in a panic.

One thing you can do to make your dog vomit is to use baking soda. Try forcing the whole amount of the solution down its throat to induce vomiting using the same solution as described above. You should not force the dog to vomit if it does not vomit immediately as this could result in salt poisoning which is deadly to dogs.

Another home remedy for making a dog vomit is to put a teaspoon of salt on the back of its tongue or have him drink a cup of water mixed with a teaspoon of mustard.

It is not recommended to make a dog vomit if he has consumed a poison that causes difficulty breathing convulsions or lethargy. Similarly if the dog has consumed a caustic substance such as drain cleaner battery acid or detergent making him vomit might cause further damage to the esophagus. You should call a veterinarian before trying to make the dog vomit in these cases.

Can I use baking soda to clean the dog’s eyes?

Use a saline solution on your dogs eyes if it has an eye irritation. One cup of filtered or distilled water and one teaspoon of salt or baking soda can be used to make this saline solution. From the nose to the ear gently wipe the eye with a clean piece of cloth dipped in this solution. This also helps if your pets eyes appear crusty. 

If the problem is more serious and your dogs eyes are swollen or there is pus in the eyes you should consult a vet as an ointment containing antibiotics may be necessary. 

Will baking soda paste helps dog wounds?

Dogs can be treated with baking soda for small wounds. When trimming your dogs nails and you accidentally draw a little blood you should disinfect the cut by dipping the paw in a solution of water and baking soda. 

In addition you can safely treat a bee sting with a baking soda paste. Apply the baking soda paste to the bite site after removing the sting with tweezers. Continue to apply for several hours until the pain subsides. However if your dog is showing signs of allergic reaction to the bee sting you should call a vet immediately as this can be very dangerous.

For larger wounds you should apply a disinfectant such as a hydrogen peroxide and an antibiotic ointment.

Is baking soda safe for dogs’ teeth?

There is a lot of controversy surrounding this issue among dog experts and dog owners. One side swears by it while the other says it is dangerous.

There are those who recommend brushing your dogs teeth gently with a baking soda paste. Your dogs teeth will become whiter after using baking soda to clean up plaque and bacteria. There is just one problem: too much baking soda could upset the dogs stomach and cause him to vomit. It is unlikely that just dipping your toothbrush or finger in baking soda will cause any problems.

Nevertheless there are others who say baking soda should not be used to clean a dogs teeth.

There is a valid point however that the dog may find the taste of baking soda quite unpleasant as it is. If your dog does not like the taste he may not allow you to clean his teeth even with other products and then you will have a serious problem.

Toothpaste made for humans is not recommended for dogs because it contains too many chemicals that can become toxic if swallowed.

Can I put baking soda on my dog for fleas?

You can use baking soda against fleas but you have to use it correctly in order for it to be effective.

Cleaning your pets coat with baking soda will do more than just freshen up his coat as it is a good cleaning agent. When the powder is rubbed into his fur it will coat fleas enough to dehydrate and kill them. Massage the powder thoroughly into his fur. If possible avoid the dogs face but do not forget to rub it in those places fleas like to hide- behind the ears behind the neck and at the base of the tail. To avoid the dog ingesting too much baking soda rub off any excess baking soda with a small towel.

Make a baking soda bath for your dog if you want to use this substance for fleas. The recipe is as follows:

• 1/4 cup baking soda
• 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
• 5 drops of peppermint oil which is a natural flea repellent
• 2 cups of warm water. 

This mixture should be rubbed into the dogs fur avoiding his face. To apply the mixture to your pets skin brush or comb his fur. Rinse his fur thoroughly with lots of warm water after leaving it on for five minutes.

If you do not eliminate the fleas in your house taking care of your dogs fur would not do much good. The easiest way to do this is to sprinkle baking soda directly on your carpet. Apply it by rubbing it in or brushing it in to dehydrate the fleas and their eggs. If you leave the baking soda on your carpet overnight you can vacuum up the baking soda and fleas in the morning.

Can I put baking soda in the dog’s water for bad breath?

A buildup of bacteria in the mouth and tooth decay are two of the most common causes of bad breath. To get rid of bacteria in your dogs mouth you can brush your teeth with baking soda. If you use it in small quantities there will be no problems.

You can also treat bad breath with a cup of water added to with a bit of baking soda if your dog has an upset stomach.

It stands to reason that you should not put sodium bicarbonate in your dogs water over a long period of time as it may lead to salt poisoning. 

If your dogs bad breath is not relieved by regular dental hygiene or by taking care of an upset stomach it may be that the dog has an underlying health issue that should be discussed with your veterinarian.

Many ways can be used to help you take care of your dog with baking soda. Its a safe way to get rid of fleas on dogs and to wash them. You should always keep in mind that too much sodium bicarbonate in large quantities can be dangerous.

If you want to read more about dog health tips read here: Dog Health Tips and Tricks.

Can I sprinkle baking soda on my dog? 8 ways it can be used (Watch Video)