One of the most common questions dog owners ask is whether aloe vera is poisonous to their dogs and if their dog can eat it. It is important to know the answer to this question because no parent would want their doggy to get into trouble from eating toxic substances.
Dogs cannot eat aloe vera because the plant contains toxic parts. Aloe vera is a succulent and short-stemmed shrub that grows as a perennial and is used for medicinal purposes. Despite being toxic when eaten, dogs certainly can benefit from this essential plant in numerous ways only when used in the right amounts and in a proper manner.
Discovering that aloe vera can be toxic to your furry friend will leave you asking one question – what makes aloe poisonous to dogs? You might also be wondering how much aloe you can feed your dog and what species of aloe vera is poisonous to your dog. In this article, we have given a well-researched response on why dogs can eat aloe vera and why they can’t. But before then, let us talk about what happens if your dog eats aloe vera.
What Happens If My Dog Eats Aloe Vera?
The white sap around the greenish gel is the toxic part of aloe vera and it is highly purgative. This means that your dog might be seen vomiting and having constant diarrhea after eating the white sap of an aloe vera plant. Instead of panicking when you discover your dog has ingested an aloe vera plant, you should be more concerned with the part your doggy ate.
Aloe veras are not as dangerous – they are only mildly toxic. The greenish gel of an aloe vera plant is not toxic to dogs and can be ingested but in a controlled quantity. In the later part of this article, we will cover how much aloe vera your dog can take.
Can Aloe Vera Kill Dogs?
Although they are mildly toxic, aloe vera can be very dangerous to your dogs if they eat it unsupervised in a large quantity. Eating aloe vera in large quantities can lead to serious stomach upset that will make your dog constantly vomit and purge.
Constant vomiting in animals causes dehydration which is not good for your pooch. Dehydration in animals can cause kidney failure, weight loss amongst other negative effects. Other symptoms of ingesting aloe vera in dogs include darkened urine, muscle spasms, etc.
Can Dogs Get Sick From Eating Succulent?
Succulents are plants with thick fleshy tissues. Most succulents are considered non-toxic plants and are not harmful to dogs. Some other succulents may have a mild effect on dogs and can cause body itching, skin irritations, vomiting, diarrhea, etc. the effect of succulents on dogs is also largely dependent on the type of succulents consumed and the quantity consumed.
Aloe vera is a common succulent that is usually found around homes. Consuming aloe vera saps in large quantities can make your dog get sick. It is important to keep aloe vera plants away from your dog because their curiosity might make them consume toxic parts of the plant in a large quantity which can make them sick.
What Should I Do If My Dog Eats An Aloe Vera Plant?
Dogs can be very curious and may end up eating an aloe vera plant around. If you suspect that your dog has eaten an aloe vera plant, you do not have to panic. The first thing you should do is to take your dog to a qualified veterinary doctor for checks.
You should also access your dog to know the quantity of aloe vera ingested. This will help the doctor to give proper treatment to your dog. If you are noticing any symptoms in your dog, you should let the veterinary doctor know about it.
What Are The Symptoms Of Aloe Vera Poisoning In Dogs?
Some of the visible symptoms of aloe vera poisoning in dogs are:
As a responsible dog owner, you should take note of these symptoms for a proper diagnosis.
What Makes Aloe Vera Poisonous To Dogs?
Understanding what makes aloe vera poisonous to your dog is important for dog owners to take proper measures against it. Aloe vera contains substances known as saponins and aloins.
Saponins are bitter-tasting poisonous elements that are contained in aloe vera. They are very toxic to dogs especially when taken in large quantities and they affect the gastrointestinal tract of your dog. This, in turn, leads to serious diarrhea and vomiting in dogs.
Also, aloin is a natural chemical contained in the yellow part of an aloe vera which is usually found between the green leaf and the clear gel. This substance can irritate your dog and cause skin problems if your pooch is allergic to latex.
Aloin is also used as a laxative for body cleansing in humans. However, when taken by dogs in large quantities, it may result in severe diarrhea and vomiting.
Is Aloe Vera Gel Toxic To Dogs?
The succulent part of the aloe vera plant contains two major parts which are the greenish gel and the white sap. The greenish gel is not toxic to dogs and they have a lot of healthy benefits. However, aloe latex is the white toxic part of the plant which is not good for your dog. This part contains toxic chemicals that can make your dog sick.
When feeding aloe to your dog, you should be careful about the part which you are feeding your pooch and the quantity you are feeding. Overall, aloe gels are not considered toxic to dogs. It is the latex produced by the plant that is toxic.
Known Aloe Species Poisonous To Dogs
Aloes have more than 250 species with some of them being poisonous and some of them being harmless. The three species of aloe which are poisonous are Aloe ballyi, Aloe elata, and Aloe ruspoliana.
Aloe ballyi and Aloe elata are rare species and not usually found around residential homes. It is important for you to distinguish which one you are using to avoid giving your dog the wrong one.
How Much Aloe Vera Can I Give My Dog? How To Use Aloe On Dogs
Knowing the quantity of aloe vera to feed your dog is very important. Especially when considering the fact that it directly determines how your dog will be affected. You might also be wondering how you can use aloe on your dog. Here is the answer to your question.
There are two major ways you can use aloe on your dog, namely internally or topically.
Internally
Aloe can be fed to your dog internally through direct ingestion, this method is effective for the digestive support of your pooch. For good effect, ¼ teaspoon of aloe vera gel or juice product for every 10 lbs of body weight daily is recommended when using internally.
You can also dilute aloe vera gel or juice with spring water or bone broth before adding it to your dog’s food.
Topically
You can also apply aloe vera to affected body parts or wounds sustained by your dog. Apply aloe vera gel twice daily to the injured skin of your dog. When doing this, you should ensure that your dog does not lick the gel.
For proper care, start by using aloe vera gel in small quantities until you are sure your dog is not allergic to it. Also, pregnant dogs should not be fed with aloe vera gel or juice. It is not ideal for their puppies.
Can I Use Aloe Vera On My Dog’s Itchy Skin?
Yes, you can use aloe vera gel on your dog’s itchy skin.
Aloe vera has proven to be very useful in solving problems of itchy skin in dogs. As long as you are using the gel and you ensure that you have removed the toxic and poisonous part, then it will have a soothing effect on your dog’s itchy skin.
Can I Put Aloe Vera On My Dogs Paws?
Yes, you can put aloe vera on your dog’s paw.
Aloe vera can be very useful for dry and cracked paws. If you notice that your dog is having a problem similar to an athlete’s foot, then using aloe vera might just be the right cure for it.
Aloe Vera As A Lubricating Agent
Aloe vera is a good natural lubricating agent. Before usage, make sure that it is 100% gel and does not have any toxic substance that may affect you or your dog while using it.
