Can Dogs Get Poison Ivy?
Poison ivy is a plant which is identified by three ivy-leaves that contain urushiol, an oil that typically causes people to break out in an itchy rash. Poison oak is another plant which contains this type of oil. These plants are typically found in the wild but sometimes make their way into parks and yards. You may be wondering if dogs can get poison ivy. Yes, dogs can get rashes from poison ivy, although it doesn’t happen often.
Did you know that the skin of most dogs is protected from the rash-inducing oil, by their fur? Keep in mind that dogs with thin or very short coats are more likely to develop rashes, but not necessarily more reactive to urushiol. The biggest danger to dogs lies in ingesting the poison ivy plant. Unfortunately, a severe allergic reaction could cause your dog to go into anaphylactic shock, which can cause their airways to constrict, preventing them from being able to breathe.
There are some common symptoms if your dog encounters or ingested one of these itchy plants:
- Blisters and scabs
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Redness, swelling, and itching
Even though the risk of a dog getting poison ivy is low, they can still pass it on to humans. If your dog gets the sap or oil from one of these plants on their fur, humans can become exposed by petting or brushing up against them, or even touching their bedding or sitting on the same area that they used.
What happens if my dog develops a poison ivy rash? The best treatment is to bathe them with a dog shampoo that contains oatmeal. If there are stomach issues caused by ingesting poison ivy, they should pass on their own, but be sure to contact your veterinarian if you have any concerns. Important: if your dog shows any signs of breathing problems, get them to the emergency veterinarian immediately.
