My Dog Ate Shea Butter? Need To Know!
Last updated on March 20th, 2023 at 04:14 pm
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Can Dogs Eat Shea Butter? Need To Know!
If you own a dog and are also aware of the numerous benefits of using Shea butter, then your dog is most likely a fan of it too. As an all-natural moisturizer, Shea butter is highly sought-after by dogs. The healing and hydrating properties of Shea butter make it an ideal choice for numerous pets across the globe. Unfortunately, not everyone has access to this natural product or may not know about its uses. If you have a pet that’s been introduced to Shea butter for the first time, then there’s a high chance that they have already ingested it. In such cases, you will want to know what happens when your dog eats Shea butter.
Quick Answer:
There are two types of shea butter, natural and product based. If your dog ate natural shea butter don’t worry it’s perfectly edible. However product-based shea butter depending on the other ingredients in the product can lead to vomming, diarrhea, and even fatal problems.
Continue reading to learn more
What Is Shea Butter?
Shea butter is a type of butter that is extracted from the seeds of the African shea tree.
These trees are abundant in certain parts of Africa and are known for harvesting a wide array of nuts that are used in cooking, cosmetic, and medicinal products. As a natural and highly beneficial product, Shea butter has been used to treat various skin ailments and is considered one of the best moisturizers available on the market. As a matter of fact, it is one of the most widely used ingredients in cosmetic products like lotions and creams. Shea butter is very rich in vitamin A and E, as well as skin-beneficial antioxidants. These elements make it a highly effective moisturizer, making it a go-to product for numerous people, including dogs.
What Is Shea Butter Made Of?
As mentioned above, shea butter is made from the nuts of the shea tree and is a multipurpose product that can be used on the skin as well as hair. It is used in a variety of skin and hair care products, lip balms, and even in the making of candles. It is this versatility that makes the product so popular, which also makes it a potential choice for your dog. The shea tree, also known as Vitellaria paradoxa, is a tropical tree that is found in Central and West Africa.
The tree produces an edible fruit that is high in fat and is used to produce shea butter. These fruits are harvested, dried, and then after the kernel is removed from the seed, it is grounded into a powder and boiled in water later resulting in shea butter.
Is Shea Butter Safe for Dogs?
While it is not uncommon for humans to use Shea butter, it should come as no surprise that it can be used on dogs as well. However, like all other products, it needs to be used with care to avoid any harm to your dog. As far as your dog is concerned, Shea butter is a multipurpose product that can be used on the paws, cuticles, and nails as well as cracked paw pads. It can also be applied to a dog’s nose to prevent frostbite. Apart from these, Shea butter can also be used as a lip balm, massage oil, and a potential moisturizer for your dog.
Bottom line is, that shea butter is safe for dogs and especially great for their skin. It’s also surprisingly edible for dogs.
What Happens When a Dog Eats Shea Butter?
If a dog eats shea butter, most likely they will suffer from an upset stomach and not much more. As far as the more serious side effects are concerned, there are a number of things you need to look out for.
These include vomiting, diarrhea, and even dehydration.
However, shea butter is rather safe when it comes to consumption for dogs. It won’t harm dogs in any way an upset stomach and a bit of vomiting is a viable symptom but not much more. But, just like everything If your dog had a lot of shea butter that’s a separate issue.
Large Amount Was Eaten:
If your dog ingests a large amount of shea butter, they could become lethargic and have breathing problems. They might also have some gastrointestinal problems, including vomiting and diarrhea, as well as dehydration. If your dog ingests enough shea butter, it could potentially be fatal; however, it is important to note that death from ingesting shea butter is near impossible.
How Harmful is Shea Butter for Dogs?
Dogs are very well-known for being curious and intelligent. They also happen to be very possessive and even territorial by nature. If a dog has been introduced to Shea butter for the first time, there’s a chance that it might ingest a small amount of it. While this might seem like a harmless act, ingesting Shea butter can prove to be potentially harmful to your dog. There are two possibilities when ingesting shea butter
- Natural Shea Butter – Totally harmless and edible
- Shea Butter Product – Can be extremely toxic depending on the ingredients it’s made of
Shea Butter Containing Products
If your dog ate a product containing shea butter and not just natural shea butter. The risks are a lot higher. Products such as lotion don’t just contain shea butter they contain ingredients that can be fatal for dogs. If your dog did ingest a shea butter product check the ingredients. If there are toxic or even fatal ingredients, call the vet as soon as possible.
What Are the Symptoms of a Dog That Ate Shea Butter?
If your dog ate shea butter, then there is a chance that they will experience some gastrointestinal issues, including vomiting and diarrhea, as well as dehydration. Depending on the severity of the situation, the symptoms of your dog ingesting shea butter might pass in a few hours.
It is important to closely monitor your dog and be ready to call the vet if necessary. Another thing to keep in mind is that dogs react differently to various products. Some dogs might ingest a small amount of shea butter and show no symptoms at all, while others might ingest the same amount and suffer from a life-threatening condition. Depending on the type of shea butter that was consumed.
Four Symptoms To Look Out For:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Pancreatitis
How Much Shea Butter Is likely To Be Too Much For a Dog?
That’s hard to say as Shea butter comes in all shapes and sizes. Shea butter isn’t meant for dogs to eat so it was never studied how much can affect a dog. However, too much will lead to an upset stomach yet there is no answer to what “Too Much” is.
My Dog Licked Shea Butter What Will Happen?
If your dog licked shea butter, then it’s totally safe and perfectly fine. However, this depends on the type that is licked. As mentioned above there are two types natrual and product based. IF they licked natural shea butter not much will happen as it is edible for dogs. However, if product-based shea butter was consumed then there is a high chance that they will experience some gastrointestinal issues, including vomiting and diarrhea, as well as dehydration and even pancreatitis.
Depending on the severity of the situation, the symptoms of licking shea butter might pass in a few hours. Another thing to keep in mind is that dogs react differently to various products. Some dogs might ingest a small amount of shea butter and show no symptoms at all, while others might ingest the same amount and suffer from a life-threatening condition.
How To Deal With an Upset Stomach From Shea Butter?
If your dog ingested shea butter, it is important to closely monitor them. If the symptoms of ingesting shea butter are very serious, then you might want to call the vet. In most cases, though, the symptoms will pass in a few hours.
In order to soothe your dog’s stomach, you can try giving them a mixture of 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 1 cup of water every two hours.
Alternatively, you can also give them an antacid like Pepcid, Famotidine, or Rolaids. While these remedies won’t cure their upset stomach, they will help ease their symptoms. If the vomiting and diarrhea are severe, then your dog might also need to drink fluids and have electrolytes administered to them intravenously by a vet.
Conclusion – Dog Ingested Shea Butter
Dogs are very capable of enjoying the benefits of Shea butter by applying it to their paws or skin. While this might seem like a harmless act, ingesting Shea butter can prove to be potentially harmful to your dog.
As far as the more serious side effects are concerned, there are a few things to look out for. These include vomiting, diarrhea, and even dehydration. If your dog ingested shea butter, it is important to closely monitor them. If the symptoms of ingesting shea butter are very serious, then you might want to call the vet. In most cases, though, the symptoms will pass in a few hours.
About The Author
I'm a content writer and researcher. But bottom line, I loveee animals. I had my first animal which was a guinea pig at age 8. Later had a bunny, dog and a lot, a lot of fish. Writing about what I know about pets will allow me to share my knowledge and love for them with everyone else. Dealing with dogs my entire life, I know a lot.
