What Happens If A Dog Eats Wax?

Dogs are inquisitive creatures, and burning flames attract them as much as moths. What happens if a dog eats wax while you are enjoying your me time in the bath with scented candles and essential oils? We will share all the details with you below.

Dogs want to taste everything around them to know whether they are good or bad. They eat things that they are not supposed to consume in this process. Eating unwanted items can also happen when the pet is feeling bored, or the reason can also be hunger. 

Candles made of wax or any other products made by using wax are one thing that dogs should not consume, but if your pet friend does that, it’s enough to make you worried. 

What Happens If A Dog Eats Wax

Consuming a small amount of wax is not harmful to your canine friend as it will not make your dog sick, but there are also cases where dogs get sick after consuming wax. It depends on the dog’s breed and the digestive system of your pet dog. 

In this article today, we will discuss what you can do if your pet dog consumes wax to keep your dog safe. So, without any delay, let’s get straight into our topic of discussion. 

How Dog’s Body Gets Affected by Consuming Candles?

Primary ingredients used in the making process of the candles are beeswax, paraffin, and in some cases, soybean oil. None of the previously mentioned objects is harmful to your dog’s health. 

The amount of candle wax that is enough to make a dog sick is quite considerable. A dog will not usually find that much wax in the house. 

Irrespective of the fact the wax present in the candle can get accumulated in the digestive tract or stomach of the dog’s body, it most certainly, in most cases, passes quickly through the poop.

What Happens If A Dog Eats Wax

The biggest problem in a dog’s body from consuming wax candles is constipation. Usually, that does not happen, and this wax passes through the digestive system after reacting with the acid present in the stomach. 

The best type of candle that you can use in your house is soy-based candles. Soy wax does not emit any kind of toxic fumes, it is cleaner than candle wax and it is ok even if the dog consumes a little bit of it.

Also, some candle makers add essential oils to add aroma to the candles, which can be an unsafe product for your beloved dog. 

What Can You Do If Your Dog Consumes Wax?

If your pet friend ate any wax, you need to take specific steps in this regard. Here, we will discuss all you need to do if your dog consumes wax. 

#1. Remove the Source

No sooner than you find that your dog is consuming wax from any source, the first thing you need to do is remove the source from which your dog is consuming wax. 

Keep your pet dog far away from the wax source and clean up the mess that your dog has created while trying to eat candles. 

#2. Check for Wax in Your Dog’s Body

First, you need to check whether any wax is present in the dog’s oral cavity. If you find anything inside the dog’s mouth, remove it immediately. 

But while removing, you need to be careful because your pet might be uncomfortable, and due to this discomfort, it can bite your hand as you try to remove the wax. Other than that, you should also check for burns in your dog’s mouth. 

What Happens If A Dog Eats Wax

#3. Look for the Ingredients Used in Candle Making

Once you make sure that your pet dog has consumed wax, and in most cases, it has been seen that the source of the wax is a candle. Then the first thing that you need to do is look for the candle’s packaging. 

In the packet, you will find the ingredients used in making the candle. The information you will gather from the packaging will be beneficial when visiting the veterinary clinic. 

#4. Induce Vomiting

There are certain over-the-counter medicines that you can buy to induce vomiting in your dog. When your dog vomits, the wax in its digestive tract or stomach will come out from your pet friend’s body. 

#5. Call the Veterinary Clinic

If you cannot handle the situation on your own, the best thing to do is call the nearest veterinary clinic. When you reach the veterinary clinic, tell them what problems your dog is going through. 

Don’t hide anything from your vet doctor. Share every detail with the doctor to get the proper treatment for your pet friend. 

#6. Follow the Advice Given by the Veterinary Clinic

After coming home from the veterinary clinic, try to follow all the advice given to you by the doctors in the veterinary clinic. Usually, veterinary clinics suggest the owners become more watchful and careful. 

As an owner, you also need to watch whether the candle wax is passing through the fecal matter of your pet dog. Moreover, you will also need to take your pet dog to your veterinary clinic if the condition worsens. 

What Happens If A Dog Eats Wax

Frequently Asked Questions

#1. Is wax toxic for dogs?

Usually, wax gets into a dog’s body when a dog eats candles. A candle is made by using paraffin, wax, and in some cases, soy. 

Any of these ingredients are not harmful to your dog’s body. But the components such as dyes and scents used in making the candle can be detrimental to your dog’s body. 

They are capable of causing damage to the gut and can even cause blockage in the dog’s digestive system. Moreover, in some cases, the wax can also cause damage to the dog’s body, depending on the breed and the dog’s immune system.

#2. Can candle wax make a dog sick?

Candles are usually made by using paraffin, wax, and soy. Not even a single ingredient used in making a candle is not harmful to the dog’s body and will not show any poisonous effect on your pet friend’s body. 

If somehow your pet consumes wax, it will automatically pass through the intestinal tract, but in some cases, the large pieces of wax can get trapped in the intestine, which will lead to blockage. This will make your dog sick.

#3. What will happen if you eat candle wax?

No animal should consume candle wax. If you somehow eat candle wax, you need not be worried as it is non-poisonous. The only problem is if large chunks of candle wax are consumed. 

In some cases, it has also been seen that if the human being is allergic to the fragrance or dye used in making the candle, then an allergic reaction can be hazardous for that person.

#4. Is soy wax safe for dogs?

Soy wax candles are made using primarily lavender oil, and in the making process, not even a single chemical or toxin is used. That is why they are considered to be safe for dogs.

A Few Final Words

The canine friend in your house can consume wax which is neither harmful nor beneficial for the dog’s health. You or any other person in the home should always watch the dog as dogs love to nibble with things they are not supposed to have. 

But if somehow the unfortunate incident happens, then there is no need to panic, follow the steps mentioned in the article, or you can simply take your dog to the vet for the necessary help. 

I hope we were able to give answers to all your queries. If you have something more to add, feel free to write to us. We would love to hear from you. Thank you for reading the article. 
You might also like to read: Can Dog Eat Wax Beans? And How To Get Wax Out Of Dog Fur?