Dog Ate Makeup Wipe [Here Is What You Now Must Do]

Your dog has eaten a makeup wipe. It’s suddenly just dawned on you.

Perhaps you’ve found a wipe hanging out of their mouths. Maybe you’ve found the packet ripped open. There could even be wipes all over the floor.

The shock, the horror.

Is your dog going =to be okay? What should you now do, in response?

Let’s get straight to it, as time is of, the essence.

So, what should you do if your dog has eaten a makeup wipe? If your dog has eaten a makeup wipe, contact a vet. It’s essential to get expert advice here as swift veterinary support may be required. In the meantime, monitor your dog for signs of discomfort or distress and take note of the specifics of the situation.

What Will Happen To A Dog That Has Eaten A Makeup Wipe?

If your dog ate a makeup wipe, there are a few possible outcomes, largely dependent on the size of the dog, the size of the wipe, and the individual animal’s response.

Here are the four main potential outcomes:

Pass Through

In some instances, especially with larger dogs, a makeup wipe may pass through the digestive system without causing major issues.

However, this isn’t always the case, and you should never leave it to chance. Further symptoms, explored further below, can take many hours if not days to develop.

You should still contact a vet and not simply try to wait for your dog to pass the wipe. The faster you act, the greater chance of successful and safe removal.

Choking

Choking is an immediate concern, particularly if the dog tries to swallow the wipe whole or if it’s a small dog.

The wipe could potentially block the airway. Signs of choking in dogs include excessive drooling, pawing at the mouth, coughing or gagging, labored breathing, and panic or distress.

Some dogs might pace, collapse, or lose consciousness.

These symptoms indicate a serious emergency and immediate veterinary intervention is necessary.

Cause An Upset Stomach

The foreign material of the wipe can irritate the lining of the stomach and intestines, resulting in symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea.

The chemicals found in makeup wipes (or any makeup present on them) can also contribute to this upset.

While these substances are not typically highly toxic to dogs, they’re not meant to be ingested and can irritate the digestive tract.

Your dog might also display signs of nausea, such as drooling, licking lips excessively, and loss of appetite.

In severe cases, the upset stomach could progress to gastritis, an inflammation of the stomach lining, which may cause blood in the vomit or stool.

Intestinal Obstruction

If the wipe becomes lodged in the intestines, this can result in persistent vomiting, loss of appetite, dehydration, abdominal pain, and lethargy.

This is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition and requires immediate veterinary care.

Will A Dog Be Able To Pass A Makeup Wipe?

A dog may be able to pass a makeup wipe, but this is highly variable depending on the size of the dog/wipe and other factors.

Small, large-breed dogs may be more likely to pass the wipe without issues, while small-breed dogs and puppies are at a higher risk of blockage.

It’s also important to remember that even if a dog can pass a makeup wipe, it doesn’t mean it’s safe or without discomfort.

If they are capable, or if your vet wants to proceed with this approach, a wipe will typically be passed from 24 hours onward.

What To Do If Your Dog Has Eaten A Makeup Wipe

The first thing to do when you discover your dog ate a makeup wipe is not to panic.

Panicking can exacerbate the situation, making it harder for you to respond effectively and potentially causing additional stress for your dog.

Immediately remove any remaining makeup wipes or other potential hazards from your dog’s reach.

You don’t want them potentially consuming more!

If you can, check their mouths, and remove any excess (pieces/wipe) you can find there.

Next, monitor your dog closely for signs of discomfort or distress, such as vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, or unusual behavior.

Take note of the situation, writing down the following key pieces of information:

• Your dogs breed
• Age,
• The brand of wipe they consumed
• How muh wipe you think they consumed
• When you think your dog consumed it,
• How your dog has responded since consuming it.

Now, call your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary clinic immediately – and if asked, relay the information above.

Do not attempt to induce vomiting at home without first consulting with a veterinarian.

Certain situations may make inducing vomiting more dangerous.

Also, remember that time is critical in these situations – the sooner your dog gets professional help, the better the outcome is likely to be.

What Your Vet May Do If Your Dog Has Eaten A Makeup Wipe

Physical Exam

Your vet will likely start by conducting a comprehensive physical examination to assess your dog’s overall health status and identify any immediate signs of distress or discomfort.

This examination often involves palpating the abdomen to check for any discomfort, swelling, or unusual masses.

Diagnostic Tests

Following the physical examination, your vet may perform diagnostic tests such as x-rays or ultrasound.

These tools can help identify if the makeup wipe is lodged in the digestive tract, causing a blockage.

Induce Vomiting

In some circumstances, and if the ingestion was recent, your vet might decide to induce vomiting.

However, this should only be done by a professional, as inducing vomiting inappropriately could lead to other complications, like aspiration pneumonia.

Offer Specific Food To Help Them Pass It

If the makeup wipe isn’t causing a severe blockage, your vet might suggest feeding your dog a high-fiber diet or specific veterinary-prescribed food to help them pass the wipe.

This solution largely depends on the individual case and should only be done under veterinary supervision.

Remove Via an Endoscope

If the makeup wipe is causing a blockage and it’s located in the stomach or upper intestines, your vet may attempt non-surgical removal using an endoscope – a flexible tube with a camera attached.

This is a less invasive procedure but depends on the makeup wipe’s location and size.

Surgery

If non-surgical methods are unsuccessful or if the wipe is lodged in a location unreachable by an endoscope, surgery may be necessary.

Surgical intervention will remove the blockage and assess any potential damage to the intestines.

Supportive Care

Regardless of whether the wipe is successfully removed via an endoscope or surgery, supportive care will likely be part of the treatment plan.

This might include IV fluids to combat dehydration, and pain medication to keep your dog comfortable.

How to Support a Dog After Eating a Makeup Wipe

After your dog has eaten a makeup wipe and received appropriate veterinary care, your focus should shift towards supporting their recovery.

Here’s how:

Dietary Adjustments

Depending on the severity of the situation, your vet might suggest a specific diet to aid in recovery.

This could involve a high-fiber diet or easily digestible food to reduce strain on your dog’s digestive system and help facilitate the passing of the wipe if it’s still present.

Monitor Your Dog Closely

Keep a close eye on your dog’s behavior, eating habits, and bowel movements.

Any change could be significant and should be reported to your vet.

Watch for persistent vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or loss of appetite.

Ensure Adequate Hydration

After a digestive disturbance like this, your dog might become dehydrated, especially if they’ve been vomiting or had diarrhea.

Make sure fresh water is always available.

Medication Compliance

If your vet has prescribed any medications, make sure to administer them exactly as instructed.

This could be antibiotics to prevent infection, pain relief, or medication to protect the stomach lining.

Provide a Stress-free Environment

A peaceful, comfortable environment can help speed up your dog’s recovery.

Keep your dog’s bed or crate in a quiet place, away from high traffic areas in your home.

Comfort them with gentle strokes and soft words.

Finally

If your dog has eaten a makeup wipe, it’s only natural to think of the worst outcome – they are going to get an intestinal blockage and require surgery.

And while that is possible. It is not the only, nor most likely outcome.

Especially if you act promptly.

Thankfully, with a swift response and quick veterinary consultation, you should find that they are able to retrieve the wipe long before it gets to that.

If you did want to contact a vet right this very second, you can do so below:

Of course, going forward, just try to be a bit more mindful.

Use pet-proof bins in your bathroom or bedroom and try to keep doors closed to rooms where your dog might find such tempting items.

Also, keep your dog well fed and kept busy/occupied so they don’t ravage your home out of boredom.

Other than that. There’s not too much you can do.

These things happen.

Try not to blame yourself, but do what you need to do now and can, going forward.

Related Guides:

• Dog Ate Makeup Sponge [Here Is What To Do]