Is Aloe Vera Poisonous to Dogs? How to Treat It?

Beauty in green, but danger unseen,

Protect your pets from aloe vera.

Hey guys! Do you know aloe vera has a lot of benefits for our skin and health? It helps us to reduce acne, blemishes, wrinkles, as well as fine lines.

But is it beneficial for our dogs just like for us? Can it harm our pets? Is it poisonous?

The simple answer is yes. Aloe vera is poisonous for our dogs. Aloe plant leaves contain a yellow-colored latex that may harm your dog and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even coma.

So guys, that’s the reason why I compiled this whole article. This guide will help you to know how aloe vera is harmful for your dog, what symptoms appear when a dog eats aloe, and how you can overcome this issue.

Is aloe vera poisonous to dogs?

Yes, aloe vera is poisonous to your dogs. Aloe vera contains saponin and aloe latex as active ingredients. These are the only things that harm your cute playing pet. 

According to scientific research, when your dog eats aloe leaf, it can cause vomiting, nausea, cramping, and even dehydration in your pet.

A 2016 study on aloe vera shows aloe plants have the ability to lower blood sugar levels in both humans and pets. This may even cause coma and death if eaten so much. 

And guys, do you know how eating aloe leaves causes nausea, vomiting, and dehydration in dogs? According to expert researchers, when a dog eats aloe vera, the glycoside sugar from the aloe plant is metabolized in the pet’s intestine with the help of bacteria.

This reaction produces a chemical compound that increases water and mucus, resulting in nausea and vomiting. If the vomiting continues, your pet can face dehydration issues and can even die if not treated on time.

And did you know aloe latex has strong laxative properties, which can cause diarrhea and dehydration in both humans and dogs. 

If you see your pet has eaten aloe vera and is facing diarrhea or vomiting-like issues, it’s best to bring your dog to the professional veterinarian for quick help. Here are some symptoms that will appear when your dog eats aloe plants.

Symptoms of aloe vera poisoning in dogs.

The main symptoms that appear when a dog eats aloe vera are vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and belly pain. However, sometimes other signs are also appearing, that are, 

• Coma (if sugar level becomes too low)
• Unstable heart rate
• Anorexia
• Breathing issues 
• Depression
• Dark urine 
• Increase in body temperature
• Skin irritation
• Hair loss (in some cases)
• Unsteadiness (incoordination)
• Weight loss (if not treated on time)?
• Lethargy
• Drooling
• Tremors 
• And son.

Diagnosis.

If you think your dog has consumed aloe vera, instantly bring him to the nearby veterinarian. 

Make sure to bring all information about your pet, including how much he ate aloe, his previous health issues, injuries, and abnormal behaviors. 

After that, the veterinarian will perform a complete physical health examination of your dog that includes his vision check, body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, breathing issues, oxygen level, stomach ache, and neurological inspection.

Your veterinarian can also suggest some laboratory tests, including complete blood counts (CBC), electrolyte imbalances, urine tests, fecal inspections, and the result of biological compounds.

If your dog ate too much aloe vera, the veterinarian will also take some x-rays of your dog’s abdomen and chest for checking some existing injuries and parts of the aloe plant. 

And optionally, your veterinarian can also recommend a CT scan and endoscopy for a deep check for aloe vera parts inside your pet’s digestive system. 

Treatment.

Once your dog is diagnosed with true aloe vera toxicity, your veterinarian will start treatment that may include decontamination, intravenous fluids, and oxygen therapy.

In the process of decontamination, your vet might induce vomiting or perform gastric lavage by using activated charcoal to prevent extra toxin absorption.

And the intravenous fluids will be given directly to your pets vens. These fluids will help to balance your dog’s electrolytes and restore the hydration. 

And the oxygen therapy will help to reduce breathing difficulties during treatment. At the end, your cute puppy will recover and start playing with you once again.

FAQs.