Lena Rivera
If your dog has eaten paint, it is important to act quickly. Paint can be harmful to dogs, and they may experience symptoms of poisoning. The first step is to contact your veterinarian or a pet poison helpline for advice and treatment recommendations. You should also take your dog to the veterinarian for a check-up right away, especially if they have ingested a large amount. It is helpful to take a picture of the paint they ate so that the veterinarian can identify any poisonous substances. If the paint has gotten on your dog's skin, fur, or paws, you should try to remove it with mild liquid dish soap and warm water, or by carefully trimming it with clippers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What to do if your dog ate paint | Take them to a veterinarian for treatment and a check-up right away |
| Contact your local veterinarian hospital’s helpline number for guidance | |
| Take a picture of the paint they ate to show the veterinarian | |
| Wipe paint off their fur or paws with a cleansing canine shampoo | |
| Rinse your dog's mouth with lukewarm water | |
| Encourage your dog to drink water or offer a small snack to dilute the paint in the stomach | |
| Contact the Animal Poisons Helpline or Pet Poison Helpline | |
| Paint with zero-VOC or non-toxic paints when you have dogs | |
| Prevent dogs from entering the area where the paint is being applied until it has fully dried | |
| Use home test kits to assess for lead paint | |
| Carefully trim the paint from their fur with clippers | |
| Wash paint off their skin with mild liquid dish soap | |
| Never use paint thinners, mineral spirits, or other products on the skin without consulting your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline first | |
| Watch your dog for symptoms of skin irritation or poisoning |
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What You'll Learn
Take your dog to the vet immediately
If your dog has ingested paint, it is important to take them to the vet immediately. The vet will be able to assess the situation and provide treatment if necessary. Some paints can be dangerous to dogs, even in small amounts, so it is always best to seek professional help right away.
When you take your dog to the vet, it is helpful to bring a picture of the paint they ingested. This will allow the veterinarian to identify the type of paint and determine if it contains any toxic substances. If you know the paint is fresh, this is also helpful information for the vet. Fresh paint that has not had time to dry can be dangerous for dogs to inhale, so be sure to provide this detail if relevant.
If your dog has paint on their fur or skin, try to gently wash it off with mild liquid dish soap and warm water before heading to the vet. Do not use scissors or any other product to remove the paint, as you may accidentally injure your dog. If there is paint in their paw, you can try to wipe it off and bathe them with a cleansing canine shampoo to prevent them from licking it off.
While on your way to the vet, keep a close eye on your dog for any symptoms of poisoning or skin irritation. Signs of poisoning may include gastrointestinal upset, such as vomiting, changes in stool colour, lethargy, neurological signs, and changes in eating, drinking, and urination habits. If your dog is displaying any of these symptoms, contact the vet immediately and let them know about the observed symptoms.
If you are unable to get to a vet right away, you can contact a pet poison helpline for advice. There are 24/7 hotlines available to provide treatment recommendations and guidance in the event of potential poisoning. However, always take your dog to the vet as soon as possible, even if you have already called a helpline.
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Contact the Animal Poisons Helpline
If your dog has ingested paint, it is important to act quickly and contact the Animal Poisons Helpline or Pet Poison Helpline immediately. These helplines are available 24/7 and provide treatment advice for pet owners and veterinary professionals dealing with potential poisoning cases. The helpline staff are equipped to handle cases involving various species, including dogs, and can offer guidance on next steps.
In the event that your dog has ingested paint, you can reach the Animal Poisons Helpline at the following numbers:
- Australia: 1300 869 738
- New Zealand: 0800 869 738
- Singapore: 3106 4216
- United States: (917) 722-5958 or +1 (917) 722-5958
- Canada: +1 (917) 722-5958
Additionally, the Pet Poison Helpline can be reached at 1-800-213-6680 or (855) 764-7661. These helplines are valuable resources that can provide guidance and support during such situations.
While waiting for assistance, it is important to remain calm and observe your dog for any symptoms or changes in behaviour. Small amounts of paint ingestion may not always be a cause for concern, but it is crucial to remain vigilant. Common signs of paint ingestion include gastrointestinal issues, such as vomiting and constant drinking of water. Additionally, if your dog has licked freshly applied paint, it is advisable to get them checked by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
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Watch for symptoms of poisoning
If your dog has ingested paint, it is important to take them to a veterinarian for treatment right away. Most paints, varnishes, and stains contain chemical compounds that can be harmful to dogs if ingested. Even water-based paints, which are generally considered safe for pets, can cause symptoms of poisoning in dogs if consumed in large quantities.
Signs of poisoning depend on the type of paint ingested. The most common sign is gastrointestinal distress, which can include vomiting, as well as a change in stool colour if enough pigment is ingested. If paint is aspirated into the lungs, your dog may develop breathing difficulties and a cough. With large ingestions of ethylene glycol-containing paints, dogs may experience lethargy, neurological issues, and changes in eating, drinking, and urination habits. However, it is rare for dogs to ingest a poisonous amount of ethylene glycol from paint, as the concentrations are typically quite low.
If your dog has ingested paintballs, you must call your veterinarian immediately. Paintball ingestion can result in severe poisoning in dogs, causing severe electrolyte and salt imbalances that can be fatal if left untreated. Paintballs can also cause a false positive blood test for the more life-threatening poison, antifreeze.
If you are unable to get immediate veterinary care, you can contact a 24/7 animal poison control helpline for advice. These helplines are available in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, the United States, and Canada. It may be helpful to rinse your dog's mouth with lukewarm water, encourage them to drink water, or offer them a small snack to dilute the paint in their stomach and reduce the risk of stomach upset.
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Wash paint off your dog's skin or fur
If your dog has come into contact with paint, it is important to act quickly to prevent them from ingesting it. Paint can be harmful to dogs, and they may experience symptoms of poisoning even if the paint is water-based and safe for children. If your dog has licked freshly applied paint, take them to a veterinarian for a check-up right away.
If your dog has paint on their skin or fur, you should try to wipe as much of it off as possible. You can use mild liquid dish soap and warm water to gently wash the affected area. Be careful not to use any paint thinners, mineral spirits, or other products on your dog's skin without consulting a veterinarian first, as these can cause severe skin irritation and pain. If the paint is on your dog's paws, you may need to trim their fur with clippers to remove it completely. Do not use scissors, as you may accidentally cut their skin.
In most cases, it is preferable to leave some paint on the fur rather than risk causing further injury. However, if your dog has long fur that they may groom, it is important to remove as much paint as possible to prevent ingestion.
After washing the paint off your dog's skin or fur, you should monitor them for any signs of poisoning. Common signs include gastrointestinal upset, such as vomiting and diarrhoea. Other signs to watch out for include breathing difficulties, a cough, lethargy, changes in eating and drinking habits, and neurological symptoms. If your dog exhibits any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian or a pet poison helpline immediately.
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Prevent future incidents by using non-toxic paint
If your dog has ingested paint, it is important to take them to a veterinarian for treatment right away. Most paints, varnishes, and stains contain chemical compounds that can be harmful to dogs. Even water-based paints, which are generally considered safe for pets, can cause symptoms of poisoning if ingested in large quantities. Oil-based paints, on the other hand, contain volatile solvents such as petroleum distillates, toluene, xylene, and other hydrocarbons, which can be even more dangerous.
To prevent future incidents, it is important to use non-toxic paint when painting areas accessible to your dog. Zero-VOC or non-toxic paints are safer alternatives that can reduce the risk of poisoning if your dog comes into contact with them. These paints are designed to have low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are the main source of harmful chemicals in traditional paints.
When painting, ensure your dog is not in the area until the paint is fully dried. This will reduce the risk of them ingesting paint chips or licking freshly applied paint. If you are unable to keep your dog out of the area, consider boarding them or having a friend or family member watch them until the paint is safe.
Additionally, properly store any paint supplies and containers out of your dog's reach. This includes paintballs, which can be attractive to dogs and pose a serious health hazard if ingested. Proper storage will reduce the risk of your dog accessing the paint when you are not around.
Finally, if you live in an older home, it is important to test for lead paint and remove any loose paint chips or paint dust. Lead paint can be extremely toxic to dogs, and even a small chip can cause poisoning. By taking these precautions and using non-toxic paint, you can help keep your dog safe and reduce the risk of future incidents.
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Frequently asked questions
If your dog has eaten paint, take them to a veterinarian for treatment right away. It may be helpful to rinse their mouth with lukewarm water, encourage them to drink water, or offer them a small snack, which may dilute the paint in their stomach and reduce the risk of stomach upset. Take a picture of the paint they ate to show the veterinarian so they can determine what type of poisonous substances they are dealing with.
Most paints, varnishes, and stains are dangerous to dogs because they contain chemical compounds that can make your dog very sick if ingested. Even water-based paints can cause symptoms of poisoning in dogs that have ingested large quantities. Signs of poisoning depend on the type of paint ingested, with the most common sign being gastrointestinal upset.
If paint has been aspirated into the lungs, dogs may develop breathing difficulties and a cough. With large ingestions of ethylene glycol-containing paints, dogs may develop lethargy, neurologic signs, and changes in eating, drinking, and urination. Paintballs can cause a false positive blood test for the more life-threatening poison, antifreeze, and can result in fatal electrolyte and salt imbalances.
Take your dog to a veterinarian or contact your local veterinarian hospital’s helpline number for guidance. In the US, you can contact the Animal Poisons Helpline at (917) 722-5958. You can also contact the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661.
Always use zero-VOC or non-toxic paints when you have dogs and ensure they are not in the area where the paint is being applied until it has fully dried. To prevent lead poisoning from paint, remove any loose paint, paint chips, or paint dust from areas to which your dog will be exposed. Store paint and paintballs in a safe place where your dog cannot reach them.
