Just like babies, dogs can sometimes wander around and eat anything in sight. And this makes them bump into various things that may or may not harm their system.
But you should always know what to do in times of an emergency when your dog has ingested something harmful.
Hence, as a dog owner, you should know How Much Activated Charcoal to Give a Dog?
Here’s a breakdown of activated charcoal for dogs, including safety, dosage, and when to use it:
Activated Charcoal for Dogs: What You Need to Know
- What It Is: A highly porous substance made from carbon sources that binds to toxins, preventing absorption in the body.
- When It’s Used: Emergency treatment for certain types of poisonings in dogs. Always consult a vet first.
- Safety: Generally safe when used correctly but can have side effects and interfere with some medications.
How Much Activated Charcoal to Give a Dog
- Dosage:
- Single dose: 1-5 grams per kilogram of dog’s weight (puppies under 1 may need less)
- Multiple doses: 1-2 grams per kilogram, repeated every 4-6 hours
- Form: Powdered is best for mixing with water and quick action.
Effectiveness
- Best Used Quickly: Works most effectively within an hour of toxin exposure.
- Not for All Toxins: Ineffective against acids, alcohol, petroleum products, and certain others. Always check with a vet.
When NOT to Use Activated Charcoal
- Acidic Poisons: Can hinder vet examination of the esophagus.
- Certain Toxins: Arsenic, cyanide, lithium, etc. require different emergency treatment.
- Medical Conditions: May not be suitable for some dogs. Always get vet approval.
Side Effects
- Common: Constipation, black stools.
- Less Common: Vomiting, diarrhea, electrolyte imbalance (especially with multiple doses)
Activated Charcoal and Medications
- Can Interfere: May reduce effectiveness of other oral medications. Wait several hours between charcoal and other meds.
Other Uses for Activated Charcoal
- Teeth Whitening: Removes stains.
- Skin Care: Can soothe irritation and absorb impurities.
- Coat Care: Used in some shampoos for cleaning and odor control
Storing Activated Charcoal
- Room Temperature: Store in a sealed container away from moisture for optimal shelf life.
Key Takeaways
- Emergency Tool: Activated charcoal can be a lifesaver in certain poisoning cases.
- Vet Guidance is Crucial: Never give activated charcoal without consulting a vet first. They’ll confirm if it’s appropriate and guide you on dosage.
- Not a Cure-All: It has limitations and can be harmful if misused.
- Safe Storage: Keep it sealed and out of reach of pets to prevent accidental ingestion.
What is Activated Charcoal?
Activated charcoal is a black and thick substance. Natural carbon resources like wood and coconut shells are heated at high temperatures of 600 to 900 degrees Celsius to make black charcoal.
Cracks and crevices are created during the activation process by removing molecules and increasing the surface area. These are known as pores that help to bind the toxins in your dog’s system.
Can Dogs Consume Activated Charcoal?
Yes, your dog can have activated charcoal. It is a readily available over-the-counter supplement. It is safe to be consumed by them after evaluating the appropriate amount in proportion to the toxins ingested by them.
However, always check in with your vet before giving activated charcoal to your dog. It can be consumed in the form of a liquid, powder, capsules, or tablets.
How Much Activated Charcoal to Give a Dog?
The dosage requirement that the dog needs decides the amount of activated charcoal that can be given to it. And the dosage type always depends on your dog’s weight and the toxins consumed.
Single Dose
If you are required to give your dog a single dose of activated charcoal, then the recommended guideline is 1-5 grams per kilogram of your dog’s weight. However, puppies under one year will only need one gram per kilogram of their weight.
Multiple Doses
Depending on the circumstances or the number of toxins ingested, your dog may need multiple doses of activated charcoal to reduce the risk of getting poisoned or any other harmful effects.
In this case, the recommended guideline is 1-2 grams of activated charcoal per kilogram of body weight. The dosage must be repeated every 4 to 6 hours over 24 hours.
It is a negatively charged substance that holds the positively charged toxins and does not let them lose, preventing them from being absorbed by the body. The charcoal exists in the system in the form of feces.
How Effective is Activated Charcoal?
Consumption of activated charcoal is a safe and effective method to reduce the risk of any harmful effects the toxins can cause to your dog. It works as a permanent solution because once the toxins get bound to it, they will not be released further into the boy.
If you want to get the most out of it, it is best to use it within an hour of exposure to toxins. When vomiting can not be induced, activated charcoal is the best method to use.
Alternative methods can be used to treat the release of toxins like gastric emptying, cathartics, and a mixture of milk or water with a stomach coating agent. Even though these treatments can be used alone, they can also be paired with activated charcoal to increase their effectiveness.
If you are using the other treatments alone, then their effectiveness will also depend on the toxin that your dog has ingested.
What is Charcoal With and Without Cathartic?
As we discussed above, the type of dosage that a dog needs depends on the circumstances. Sometimes it may require a single dosage and sometimes multiple. In the case of a single dosage, go for activated charcoal, whose composition consists of a cathartic.
But when your dog requires multiple doses, only the first dose of activated charcoal must consist of cathartic.
What Form of Activated Charcoal Should be Given to a Dog?
Activated charcoal comes in a lot of forms. But if you want to see the maximum effects, it is best to use activated charcoal products that are made in powdered form.
This is because it can easily be mixed with water or any other liquid your dog can easily consume.
Capsule or tablet form of activated charcoal may not be as effective. They are made in such a way that the substance will be released at a slow pace in the dog’s body.
But, when your dog has consumed something toxic, you may prefer something that works faster to neutralize food poisoning.
It is also known that not all dogs are good at swallowing pills. But, it will not be worth the risk during an emergency where it may be a life-death situation.
You want your little buddy to get relief sooner, so it would be better to keep powdered activated charcoal handy.
Some also recommend using a syringe with water and activated charcoal to inject it into the back of your dog’s throat in times of emergency.
How Long Does it Take to Recover After Taking Activated Charcoal?
This is a subjective matter. The recovery can either take a few hours or several months, depending on the severity of the toxin that had been ingested.
You may visit your vet regularly for follow-up checkups to see if any damage has been caused to the stomach, liver, or kidneys.
When Should Activated Charcoal be Avoided?
Activated charcoal is not a good option if your dog consumes acidic poison. In such a situation, the activated charcoal will prevent the doctor from examining the esophagus as they would not get a clear picture of it.
Other poisons like arsenic, cyanide, alcohol, lithium, and methanol will need a different treatment than activated charcoal. You should contact the vet immediately if your dog ingests any of these.
What are the Toxins that Activated Charcoal Can Absorb?
There is a limitation to every treatment. Even though activated charcoal is the most recommended treatment when your dog consumes toxins, it still does not protect against all the toxins.
Activated charcoal can absorb the following toxins :
- Strychnine
- Narcotics
- Ibuprofen
- Chocolate
- Marijuana
- Aspirin
- Bromethalin
- Rodenticides
- Acetaminophen
What are the Side Effects of Using Activated Charcoal?
Every dog does not have any side effects. And most of the side effects caused by activated charcoal are mild.
But, if used without supervision, it can cause severe life-threatening symptoms to your beloved dog.
Moreover, dogs with certain conditions should avoid consuming activated charcoal as a treatment.
Constipation is considered one of the most common side effects of activated charcoal. If your dog feels constipated after consuming activated charcoal, contact your doctor to prescribe a stool softener or laxative.
Younger dogs who receive multiple doses of activated charcoal may suffer from hypernatremia or elevated blood sodium levels.
Though, it can also occur with single doses. The symptoms of hypernatremia start with facial and ear twitching, which may occur after 2 to 3 hours of the consumption of activated charcoal.
Other potential side effects of activated charcoal include vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, gastrointestinal obstruction, black feces, eye irritation, etc.
How Does Activated Charcoal React with Other Medications?
It’s natural for activated carbon to bind and absorb the toxins released in the body to prevent them from poisoning your dog.
However, it can also push out the medicines taken before the toxins are ingested. This decreases the effect of those oral medications.
You should wait for 3 to 4 hours before giving any other medications to your dog after releasing activated charcoal.
What are the Benefits of Using Activated Charcoal?
Professionals consider protection against poisoning one of the most effective benefits of using activated charcoal in dogs. And even that is only effective to a certain point.
However, the benefit of activated charcoal is not just restricted to gut health. Let’s discuss some of the below :
Teeth Whitening
Activated charcoal can also act as a great teeth whitening agent for your dog by binding and absorbing the stains on their teeth. It can also be added to your dog’s teeth cleaning routine as it can work as a breath freshener.
Better Coat
Activated charcoal can be applied to dog fur as well. It will absorb all the toxic particles and dust off of the surface, leaving it cleaner and with smoother hair.
Soothe Irritated Skin
Activated charcoal can also be used to help your dog with itchy skin. It will soothe the skin and help them feel more comfortable.
Shampoos and Conditioners
If you are looking for a good shampoo or conditioner for your dog, you should consider something which has activated charcoal as its primary ingredient. It can help to eliminate impurities and bad odor.
How to Store Activated Charcoal?
Activated charcoal has a good shelf life if stored properly under the appropriate conditions. It should be kept at room temperature and away from any moisture. It is best to be kept in its original container. You can also use a container that can be sealed tightly to increase protection.
Activated charcoal comes to the rescue when your dog consumes something toxic. It has the ability to bind up the toxic substance released in the body and reduce the risk of your dog getting poisoned. And it’s important to know how much activated charcoal to give a dog.
