Is Rust Bad For Dogs?

In this research you will know the answer to the query “Is Rust Bad For Dogs?“.

There is no problem with keeping dogs in old rusted cages. Some of the collars are tied to equally rusty chains.

Considering dogs’ tendency to lick and bite rust can be easily ingested by our beloved pets.

The dogs can lick chew and ingest rust not only from old cages collars and chains. Iron bowls are popular among dog owners for feeding their pets.

As a result dogs may also get rust from their bowls if they eat or drink from them. Nevertheless should rust ingested by our pets be a cause for concern?

In general dogs are not at risk from rust. You do not need to rush your puppy to the vet when you notice rust on him. Dogs cannot absorb rust because it is not bioavailable to them. Thus rust does not threaten them in any way. They eat iron in one form or another.

How Does Rust Form?

Rusting does not occur on all metals. Iron and steel are the only metals that rust. Rusting is a natural process that occurs when air and water are exposed to iron.

Oxygen and hydrogen ions combine with iron ions to form iron oxide or rust. Items made of steel and iron can be prevented from rusting by keeping them dry.

Dog cages iron collars and chains rusting to the point where they are locked and chained may not be good for them even if rust is not harmful to dogs.

In addition to having a bad smell rust can also stain your pet. As a result you may not even want to cuddle your dog if it comes into contact with a rusting material because of the smell and the rust can stain your clothes too.

It is easy to remove rust from cages collars chains and bowls using white vinegar.

Why Is Iron Important in a Dog’s Body?

In the body of a dog this mineral plays a very important role. It is responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body. In addition it regulates the normal functioning of certain enzymes. You definitely do not want your pet to suffer from anemia if it does not have enough iron.

What Is Iron Poisoning in Dogs?

An adequate amount of iron should be included in a dogs diet. Iron is essential for the production of red blood cells and hemoglobin.

Taking in excessive amounts of iron however may cause iron toxicity. It is unlikely that a dog will consume excessive amounts of iron from its food.

Most likely the dog ate unattended iron supplements fertilizers birth control pills hand and foot warmers oxygen absorber sachets or heat patches.

The amount of free iron in the blood increases in iron poisoning. Overdoses lead to saturation of transferrin which is the main carrier of iron to the bone marrow.

As a result much iron remains in the bloodstream and can enter the cells of the liver heart and brain where it may cause cellular damage by removing electrons from lipids in cell membranes. 

Rust or iron oxide cannot be eaten as it is not bioavailable unlike the ferrous and ferric states of iron.

Iron in these states is easily ionized and readily absorbed in the body so it can increase iron levels.

Even when ingested in large quantities rust may not pose a problem to dogs. But eating rust is not the same as iron poisoning.

What Are the Symptoms of Iron Poisoning?

It is a cause of concern when a dog appears to be suffering from iron poisoning as it can cause death within 96 hours. Toxic iron can be divided into four phases each with its own manifestations.

• Stage 1: Stage 1 occurs within the first six hours. The symptoms may include nausea vomiting diarrhea abdominal pain and loss of appetite. Lethargy seizures and a rapid heart rate can also be seen. Mild to moderate iron poisoning does not progress and most dogs will recover fairly quickly.
• Stage 2: Lasts for six to 24 hours. When there are no symptoms manifested this is a latent period. During this stage dogs can recover or can progress to stage 3 where symptoms can become more aggravated.
• Stage 3: This stage is characterized by the most severe clinical symptoms which appear between 12 and 96 hours after infection. Hypotension rapid heartbeat jaundice muscle tremors bloody diarrhea seizures shock and organ failure are symptoms.  You should seek treatment immediately to avoid death.
• Stage 4: Between weeks 4 and 6 dogs suffering from iron toxicity may experience jaundice bloody diarrhea intestinal blockages and liver damage.

How Much Iron Is Toxic to Dogs?

An animals overall health condition may play a role in iron poisoning. Iron in amounts less than 20 mg/kg may not be toxic to healthy dogs. However that same amount may be toxic to sickly dogs.

The ingestion of 20 – 60 mg/kg elemental iron can cause iron poisoning which has gastrointestinal consequences. A dose above 60 mg/kg would result in more severe clinical symptoms.

The first step to taking care of your dog when you suspect that he has taken excessive amounts of iron is to get him into the veterinarians office where magnesium hydroxide or calcium carbonate will be administered to reduce iron absorption by 30 – 40%. During the induced vomiting procedure gastrointestinal decontamination will also take place.

Is Lawn Rust (Rust Fungus) Toxic to Dogs?

Known also as rust fungus lawn rust is a powdery substance that partially or completely covers a grass blade with an orange or rusty color. If your lawn is planted with Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass it is more likely to develop lawn rust especially if you have not fertilized your lawn with nitrogen for a long time. There is nothing harmful about lawn rust which is caused by fungal spores.

It may not cause any health problems for your dog but it may be prudent to keep your dog away from rust-infested lawns. Infested grasses may spread the disease more easily to unaffected grasses if the spores get stuck in the fur of your dog.

Is Licking Rust Bad for Your Dog?

Throughout the world iron and steel are two of the most common metals. We use them for our gates fences and outdoor furniture. Dogs love to lick them when they rust. Despite what some people may think dogs are not poisoned by licking or eating rust flakes. When not chewed properly metal with sharp edges can wound the tongue gums and digestive tract of a dog. Rust cannot cause iron poisoning since it is not bioavailable.

Why Do Dogs Lick on Non-Food Items?

Dogs licking each other may seem more normal than when they do not. It is common to see them lick everything they see from stones to new items. In addition our skin can sometimes feel so sticky as a result of our furry friends’ endless licking.

However did you know that frequent licking by our dogs suggests a clinical condition? Known as pica it is a type of obsessive behavior. Humans also suffer from this condition which is characterized by uncontrollable cravings for odd things. A mineral deficiency may be responsible for this condition. The act of licking a dog may also be a way of familiarizing him with his new surroundings.

Is Drinking Rust Water Bad for Dogs?

Rust water is not harmful to your dog just like licking or eating rust is. However rusty water may contain other contaminants. In dirty water bacteria and other harmful organisms thrive so we must always check what our furry friends drink.

Why Is Stainless Steel the Best Material for a Dog Water Bowl?

For dog water bowls the most common materials are plastic ceramic and stainless steel. The most practical option must be stainless steel since it is safe durable and easy to carry and clean. It does not leak harmful chemicals either. When choosing a stainless steel bowl look for a rubber coating at the bottom to prevent water from dripping and to stabilize the bowl.

How Can I Remove Rust from a Dog Cage?

Since dog cages are typically placed outside they are more prone to rusting because they are exposed to oxidizing elements. Another contributing factor is the constant licking of dogs. But do not worry white vinegar can help remove rust. Vinegar contains acetic acid which dissolves rust. The rusted parts can be cleaned by soaking a hand towel in white vinegar. If it is heavily rusted leave it for a day or two. The rust can be easily scrubbed. You can also use steel or iron tools to scrub the rust.

Is Rust for Dogs?

You should know by now that rust or iron oxide is not bad for your dog. The bacteria and other harmful organisms embedded deep in the porous surfaces of rusty steel or iron may be more dangerous. Your dogs oral cavity and digestive tract can also be damaged by the sharp rust flakes. 

Preventing your dog from ingesting excessive iron is the best way to do so. You should keep iron supplements birth control pills fertilizers heat patches and other items that contain large amounts of iron out of reach of your dog. To keep track of your pets nutritional status it is important to monitor your dogs daily diet plan.

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

Is Rust Bad For Dogs? (Watch Video)