Is silica gel harmful for pets?

Question

My dog was munching on thoses little packets from shoe boxes that say "Silica gel DO NOT EAT"
Is that harmful??

Answer 1

Yes, please call your vet.

"Companion Animal Hazard Alert
Source - [e-mail]

You know not to eat those paper or plastic packets often found in shoe boxes, bottles of medication and vitamins and some food items -- but your pet doesn't.

Used to absorb moisture, the packets contain silica gel, which is considered chemically and biologically inert upon ingestion. However, reports Jill A. Richardson, DVM, of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), gastrointestinal upset *has* been seen in dogs and cats who have accidentally eaten one of these packets. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting and lack of appetite.

There can be additional harmful effects, particularly if the packet was used for medication. "Silica acts as a dessicant and can absorb qualities of a medicine when it's in a medicine bottle," explains Richardson. "So, for example, if your dog ate a silica gel pack that came out of your heart medication, the silica could absorb the qualities of the heart medication and cause similar adverse effects." Companion animal caretakers should be extra careful to keep these packets out of their pet's reach."
http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/1395/aro001213.html

Answer 2

Silica Gel Toxicity

Answer 3

READ: THE SILICA GEL MYSTERY

One blogger's determined quest to get to the bottom of silica gel.

"Introduction to the Truth


Silica gel is what's inside of those ubiquitous little packets you get in shoe boxes or with electronics. You know, the little packets that always say "DO NOT EAT", as if anticipating the imminency of that unlikely thought entering your mind. I think most of us have, at one point or another, given a few seconds of our time to wonder, "Why on earth do they feel that I'm stupid enough to be told not to eat every random package I find in my shoe box?" Then we remember whatever the latest media-grabbing, pointless lawsuit was and decide somebody probably has eaten one before, and wound up poisoned, or whatever happens to people that eat silica gel. I'm here to tell you: keep looking for an explanation, bud.

I became so intrigued by these little packets which seem to have more "DO NOT EAT" warnings on them than, for instance, rat poison or antifreeze, that I actually decided to do some research into the matter. I wanted to know why it is so imperative that we not eat this stuff. I mean, it doesn't actually look like a life-threatening biohazard. Go on, have a look at some. Looks like plastic, right? Well, obviously looks can be decieving, but this was my first clue to the truth.

Naturally, I started my hunt at Google. Surprisingly, there aren't many silica gel related information sites out there, so this took a good few minutes to research. Soon enough, though, I had my answer.

Friends, it turns out we have been cruelly decieved. There is absolutely no reason that we should not eat silica gel. It is, in fact, quite harmless. Silica gel is silicon dioxide, and is similer to a purified form of sand. It is used to keep products at low humidity, and can absorb up to one third of its own weight in water.

Those of you who are skeptical that those "DO NOT EAT" messages serve no purpose at all may note that I have in fact swallowed a packet of silica gel and suffered no ill effects. They are almost tasteless, although the experience reminded me of licking a postage stamp.

I still don't know why on earth they are so insistant that we not eat this stuff. Honestly, how can anyone justify printing "DO NOT EAT" all over a harmless product in a society that lables dangerous, potentially lethal chemicals with no more than a "keep out of reach of children", as though the adults amongst us should feel free to have a swig or two after a long day. "


http://web.archive.org/web/20031019182847/lunarpolicy.net/intro.html

Answer 4

silica gel dangerous pet rat

Answer 5

My guess is that it is. I would call the vet and see what they say or you can get a consultation with the Pet Poison Control (fee $55) The phone number is 1-888-426-4435.

Answer 6

it says DO NOT EAT! because it is harmful if it is eaten by humans or animals

Answer 7

get your dog to a vet!!!! they can cause extreme dehydration.