Household products
Is homemade play dough toxic to cats and dogs?
Also sold as salt dough ornaments, playdough, seawater, rock salt, salt poisoning, hypernatraemia
Cats
ToxicDogs
Highly toxicHomemade play dough and salt-dough decorations are packed with salt. A dog that eats a ball of dough can develop salt poisoning, with vomiting, wobbliness, seizures and brain swelling.
By Maya HartIf your pet got into it
- Call your vet or a pet poison helpline now, even if your pet seems fine.
- Have the packet ready: the vet needs the name, strength and how much may be missing.
- Do not make your pet sick unless a vet tells you to.
- Don’t give a lot of water quickly, and don’t make your dog sick with salt water.
Signs to watch for
- Vomiting, often within hours
- Excessive thirst and urination
- Wobbliness and weakness
- Tremors
- Seizures and coma
How much is dangerous
Serious signs can occur from about 2–3 g of salt per kg body weight; a few spoonfuls of salt in a small dog. Homemade dough can contain a cup or more.
Keeping it safe
- Store play dough in closed tubs out of reach
- Hang salt-dough ornaments high on the tree
- Don’t let dogs drink seawater on beach days — bring fresh water
- Never use salt to make a pet vomit
The details
Salt dough is a favourite children’s craft, especially for Christmas decorations, and its dough-like smell makes it appealing to dogs. Shop-bought play dough contains less salt than homemade recipes but should still be kept away from pets.
Treatment involves bringing sodium levels down slowly with carefully controlled fluids in hospital — lowering it too fast can itself cause brain swelling, which is why home remedies are dangerous.
Questions owners ask
Is homemade play dough toxic to cats?
Yes — toxic.
Is homemade play dough toxic to dogs?
Yes — highly toxic.
How much is dangerous?
Serious signs can occur from about 2–3 g of salt per kg body weight; a few spoonfuls of salt in a small dog. Homemade dough can contain a cup or more.
What should I do if my pet got into it?
Call your vet or a pet poison helpline now, even if your pet seems fine. Have the packet ready: the vet needs the name, strength and how much may be missing. Do not make your pet sick unless a vet tells you to. Don’t give a lot of water quickly, and don’t make your dog sick with salt water.
Sources
Tailwise is for general information and is reviewed by veterinary professionals, but it is not a substitute for advice from your own vet, who knows your pet. How we check facts