Having a best friend in the house means taking the steps to make the space safe for them. This includes removing anything that may be toxic to them, including chocolate, cleaning materials, and other household chemicals. Another one of these toxic substances is mothballs.
If you use mothballs around your home, then you’ve probably wondered where the best place is to store them. Mothballs contain potent chemicals designed to kill insects, and those same chemicals can seriously harm dogs.
Essentially, mothballs are toxic to dogs.
Curious pups may sniff, lick, or even swallow them, which can quickly lead to poisoning. In this blog, we’ll break down exactly what these are and why mothballs are toxic to dogs. Plus, we’ll include a few tips on how to help and prevent your best friend from coming close to one.
What Are Mothballs?
Mothballs are small, round pesticide balls designed to protect clothing and fabrics from moths and other insects. They might look simple, but they’re actually made of highly concentrated chemicals that slowly turn from solid to vapor.
Most mothballs are made with naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. Generally, mothballs with naphthalene are the most toxic, while those made with the latter are significantly less toxic, but still dangerous.
How Do Dogs Get Mothball Toxicity?
Because these substances are highly concentrated pesticide chemicals, dogs can be affected through ingestion, inhalation, and even skin contact.
Ingestion
The most frequent cause of mothball poisoning is when a dog eats one. Dogs may swallow one whole, chew on it, or even lick it. Even licking clothing that contains the mothball is enough to cause poisoning, especially if they were made with naphthalene.
Inhalation
Mothballs continuously release chemical fumes. So, if your dog is always in the area, they can inhale the vapors over several days and weeks. Long-term inhalation can lead to respiratory irritation and even neurological symptoms. Plus, general toxic buildup is a risk.
Skin Contact
Though less common, dogs can also absorb mothball chemicals through their skin or fur. This happens when a dog lies on blankets, clothing, or carpets stored with mothballs or contaminated by their fumes.
Why Do Dogs Eat Mothballs?
Dogs may eat mothballs because they are curious as to what these are. Mothballs are small and round, which may look like interesting toys to dogs. Other dogs may also be attracted because of the smell.
Plus, these are often stored in places dogs can easily reach, so a bored dog may find one and swallow it before anyone notices.
Why Are Mothballs Toxic for Dogs?
Mothballs are toxic to dogs because they contain highly concentrated pesticides that a dog’s body simply isn’t equipped to handle. Here’s how they cause damage:
Red Blood Cell Damage
One of the main reasons why mothballs are bad for dogs is due to their ability to damage their red blood cells. Naphthalene, in particular, can lead to oxidative stress. Oxidized hemoglobin can no longer carry oxygen efficiently, forming Heinz bodies in the red blood cells.
These Heinz bodies are targeted and destroyed by the body, leading to anemia in dogs.
Liver and Kidney Injury
After a dog is exposed to mothballs, the liver is the first organ to work overtime trying to break down the toxins. As a result, the strong chemicals can irritate the liver, leading to inflammation and elevated liver enzymes. This can result in organ failure.
Additionally, the metabolites processed by the liver can be toxic to the kidneys as the organs try to filter out the chemicals. In large quantities, the dog’s kidneys can fail, resulting in toxin buildup in the body.
Neurological Changes
The toxic compounds in mothballs can result in neurological damage in dogs through brain swelling and red blood cell function. Because of the lack of oxygen, neurological function will continue to decline.
Gastrointestinal Problems
Aside from systemic damage, mothballs can cause gastrointestinal irritation and inflammation when ingested. This can result in severe symptoms, which can worsen over time.
Respiratory Issues
When inhaled, the fumes from the mothballs can interfere with the blood’s ability to carry oxygen. This is especially true for mothballs made from naphthalene. These fumes can also irritate the lining of the airways, causing more problems.
Skin Irritation
If a dog lies on blankets or clothing stored with mothballs, the chemicals can irritate the skin. The bigger danger is when dogs lick their coat, which contains the residue of these chemicals.
Symptoms of Mothball Toxicity in Dogs
The signs of poisoning often indicate damage to the respective organ or system. This includes:
Gastrointestinal Symptoms. Dogs often start vomiting, drooling, or showing stomach discomfort shortly after eating or licking a mothball. Other symptoms, such as diarrhea, can follow suit.
Changes in Gums or Skin Color. The gums of affected dogs may appear pale or brown, while the skin may turn a yellow hue.
Weakness, Lethargy, or Collapse. Because of the lack of oxygen, a dog with mothball toxicity may become easily tired and even collapse.
Neurological Changes. Dogs can also experience neurological changes, including tremors, shaking, confusion, and even seizures. These can appear suddenly.
Respiratory Issues. Dogs that inhale mothball fumes may develop coughing, wheezing, or rapid breathing.
Changes in Urination or Increased Thirst. Kidney irritation from the toxins may cause dogs to drink more water and urinate more frequently. In some cases, the urine may become darker or have blood.
How to Help Your Dog
If you think your dog has eaten, licked, or inhaled mothball fumes, acting quickly is extremely important, as the effects can rapidly progress.
Move Your Dog
Get your dog away from the mothballs so they can’t lick, sniff, or eat more. Place them in a room where there aren’t any more mothballs.
Call Our Vets
Mothball toxicity in dogs is a medical emergency, so we advise that you call us right away. From here, we can recommend the next steps to take.
Bring Your Dog to the Clinic
Never induce vomiting, as this should be done by a professional only. Instead, we recommend bringing your dog to the nearest emergency vet clinic.
How Do Vets Treat Mothball Poisoning in Dogs?
To treat your dog’s mothball poisoning, we’ll induce vomiting or do a gastric lavage, depending on the situation. Next, we may administer activated charcoal to help bind the remaining toxins. Next, our team will provide supportive care treatments to help with recovery. This may include:
IV fluids
Medications
Blood transfusion
Oxygen therapy
Your dog will be fully monitored during the whole treatment process. In severe cases of mothball toxicity, we will need to hospitalize your dog.
How to Prevent Mothball Toxicity in Dogs?
The good news is that this issue can be easily prevented through a few home adjustments. Here are a few tips:
Never Use Mothballs in Open Areas
Mothballs should only be used inside sealed airtight containers. Never use them in areas your dog can easily access, such as closets, basements, and garages.
Store Mothballs Safely and Securely
Keep mothballs locked away in high cabinets or storage bins with tight lids. Make sure that your dog cannot access the container by knocking it over or chewing through it.
Choose Pet-Safe Alternatives
Find safer alternatives to mothballs, which include cedar chips, herbal sachets, and non-toxic moth traps.
“A safer home starts with the choices we make for our dogs.”
- Dr. Rokas Proscevicius
Final Thoughts
While mothballs may look harmless, they’re actually full of chemicals that can be extremely dangerous for dogs. To keep our dogs safe, it’s important to use these powerful pesticides properly or find a safer alternative that doesn’t endanger your best friend.
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