Seven tips for the leaves of three
Dogs can get rashes from poison ivy, but it’s more likely you’ll get a poison-ivy rash from your dog.
That’s because dogs’ coats typically protect their skin from the inflammatory effects of urushiol, the poison ivy oil that triggers misery in many people. Their coats, however, can transport and transfer the oil to your hands, legs, face and into your home.
The three-leafed plant is everywhere, and dogs love to romp and roll in the summer woods, so what’s a pet parent to do? Here are some things to keep in mind about dogs, poison ivy and you.
- Rashes are rare. Dogs can contract rashes from poison ivy, but rarely and generally only in areas of their bodies that are thinly covered by fur or completely exposed. This includes the belly, snout and groin. Sensitivity to poison ivy varies from dog to dog, like people, but some breeds are more prone to contracting a rash. They include smaller dogs and those with less fur coverage.
- Protect yourself. One way to prevent your own exposure to poison ivy by way of your dog is to walk him in areas you know are clear of poison ivy. If he often roams on his own, put on some latex gloves and give him a good wash and rinse before allowing him back inside. Another option is to carefully remove poison ivy from areas frequented by your dog and dispose of it safely. PetSafe® brand In-Ground™ fence systems and Wireless fences are good containment options to keep your pup a safe distance away from poison-ivy hotspots. PetSafe® training collars can also help with recall if your dog if he ventures out of your sight in search of the woods.
- Symptoms. Signs your dog has a rash from poison ivy are similar to human symptoms: Redness, blisters and itching. Your dog will respond by chewing, biting and scratching the affected area.
- Is it poison ivy? There is a good chance your dog is responding to a skin condition unrelated to poison ivy, such as chronically dry skin, a fungal infection or flea bites. But if there’s a lot of poison ivy near your home, you and your dog have had a long jaunt in the woods recently, or the symptoms definitely indicate exposure, there are some simple steps you can take to make your pup feel better.
- Don’t act rashly. So what do you do if your dog is reacting to poison ivy? The first thing you need to do is bathe your buddy. Make sure you wear gloves to avoid exposure to the urushiol, use a gentle shampoo and wash all towels after his bath. Contact your vet for advice on giving your dog antihistamines, but most dogs can safely take several doses a day. Aloe or calamine has a soothing effect and can reduce inflammation. Consider gently icing the affected area and set your pal up in a cool room with a fan for recovery.
- Keep an eye out. Inflammation and itching should go away within a few days, but monitor your pup to ensure the allergic reaction doesn’t worsen or lead to infection. If it does, get him to the vet.
- Internal affairs. In rare cases, dogs may eat poison ivy and suffer a bad internal reaction. If you suspect he has eaten poison ivy and shows signs of stomach distress, such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, give him some bland food and wait and see how he responds. If digestive stress continues, take him to the vet.
Like the Fourth of July, trips to the beach or lazy afternoons by the pool, poison ivy is just a fact of life during an American summer. With a little preemptive caution and measured response, the leaves of three will leave you be.
During the summer, you probably spend a lot more time outside with your dog walking, hiking and picnicking. The more time you’re spending outside, though, the more chances you and your dog will have to encounter poison ivy.
You probably know how itchy and unpleasant a poison ivy encounter can be for people. But can dogs can get poison ivy — and what should pet parents know about keeping them safe? We spoke to Dr. Elizabeth A. Layne, a veterinarian with BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Hospital in Midvale, Utah, to find out the answer.
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The short answer is yes, dogs can get poison ivy just like people. But fortunately, they have some protection from their fur, and they just don’t seem to react as easily as people do.
“It is very uncommon because their thick fur protects their skin and because they seem much less likely than humans to be allergic to the oil in the plant,” Dr. Layne told The Dodo.
However, reactions do happen, so you should know what to look out for in case your dog does have a run-in with some poison ivy.
While dogs don’t get poison ivy rashes that often, when they do, their symptoms are similar to those in people, Dr. Layne said.
Symptoms of a poison ivy rash include:
- Red skin
- Raised rash
- Blisters (sometimes with liquid)
- Scratching or chewing
Some dogs are more likely to get poison ivy rashes than others — for example, dogs with very thin fur or no coat at all. Areas of your dog’s body that have less fur are also more likely to get a rash.
If your dog eats poison ivy, you might see other symptoms, such as vomiting and diarrhea. A severe allergic reaction can cause anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening. So if you see any signs of a reaction, take your pup to the vet ASAP to be safe.
Poison ivy treatment for dogs
To treat a poison ivy rash, the first step is usually a bath.
“If you think your dog has contacted poison ivy and is having an allergic reaction to it, a cleansing bath with lukewarm water should remove the oils from their skin and coat,” Dr. Layne said. “Wear gloves because you can have a reaction to any residual oil on your dog's coat.”
Be sure not to touch the outside of the gloves after using them and to thoroughly wash any towels used for your pup because the poison ivy oil can transfer from your dog to you (and you don’t want both of you to get a rash).
If your dog is really itchy, your vet can prescribe medication to help or let you know which over-the-counter products are OK to give him.
“If there is a severe rash with itch, you should have your dog examined by your veterinarian, who can prescribe both oral and topical medications,” Dr. Layne said. “Avoid using over-the-counter medications unless advised by your veterinarian.”
If your dog actually ate poison ivy, a vet visit is definitely in order. Your vet will probably recommend that your dog drink lots of water and eat bland food for a few days. If he ate a lot of poison ivy, he may need IV fluids to make sure he doesn’t get dehydrated from vomiting or diarrhea.
The good news is that poison ivy rashes are pretty uncommon in dogs, and if your dog does manage to get one (or even to eat some poison ivy), he’ll most likely be just fine.
“The biggest risk for dogs contacting poison ivy is for their owners!” Dr. Layne said.
So if your pup does get into poison ivy, wear gloves, watch out for the symptoms above and take your pup to the vet if he gets too itchy (or eats any).
Fun Fact: Dog's rarely get a skin rash from poison ivy
- Dogs can get poison ivy — Dogs are more likely to ingest it than get a skin rash because they have fur.
- Poison ivy in dogs and in humans looks very similar — The main symptom is a swollen, itchy skin rash.
- It’s easy to treat poison ivy in dogs — A soothing bath will typically do the trick, but watch out for symptoms of a severe reaction.
Unfortunately, dogs can get poison ivy rashes just like humans can. But because a dog’s fur usually protects their skin from exposure, canine poison ivy is rarer than human cases.
If your dog does develop an itchy rash, it’s simple to treat. Whether you’re planning a hiking trip or you’ve already noticed a rash on your dog, you should know which plants to steer clear of, as well as how to identify and treat a poison ivy reaction.
The reason poison ivy and several other poisonous plants cause an allergic reaction when touched is because they secrete a substance called urushiol. This oily sap seeps out of the leaves, stems and even the roots of poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. These three plants make up the Toxicodendron group of plants. Urushiol is quickly absorbed by skin once touched, making it even more dangerous.
People and dogs who spend time walking through vegetation are more likely to come in contact with poison ivy. If you plan to go camping with your dog, studying up on poisonous plants could save both you and your dog a lot of discomfort. It’s also best practice to keep your dog on a leash so that they don’t go wandering into thick brush.
up close and personal with the poison ivy
The poison ivy plant grows in every state except Hawaii and Alaska, and you don’t have to venture into the woods to find it. In addition to wooded areas, poison ivy can sprout up in coastal areas, suburbs, and cities.
It’s especially common to find this poisonous plant near a water source, such as a river. Like other types of foliage, poison ivy changes color with the season. The most important thing to remember is — you guessed it — those “leaves of three.”
lots of poison oak
Just like poison ivy, poison oak plants typically have three leaves and can be a range of colors. However, poison oak may have fuzzy, deeper-ridged leaves and pale-yellow berries. Poison oak is more common in the Western United States, but can also be found throughout much of North America.
poison sumac
The final member of the urushiol trio is a little bit different. Poison sumac is taller, resembling a small tree or shrub, and typically has 7 to 13 oval-shaped, smooth leaves. Commonly found in the Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest, poison sumac thrives in swamps and other damp environments.
Since the irritant (urushiol) is the same for poison ivy, oak and sumac, exposure to any of these plants will cause a similar reaction. The poisonous urushiol has to make contact with the dog’s skin in order to cause a reaction, so it’s most common to see the irritation appear in areas with less fur and in dogs with very thin fur coats. Your dog also may bite, chew or scratch the area excessively, alerting you to the situation.
The symptoms of poison ivy and other poisonous plant exposure are similar in humans and animals.
- Skin inflammation (acute contact dermatitis)
- Blisters or scabs
- Raised bumps
- Redness
- Swelling
- Itchiness
What happens if your dog eats poison ivy
Usually, a dog that eats poison ivy will simply have gastrointestinal upset, vomiting, or diarrhea. It’s possible, however, for dogs to have a severe allergic reaction or even go into anaphylactic shock. For this reason, ingestion poses much more of a health risk than skin exposure. If you think your dog has ingested a poisonous plant, keep a close eye out for symptoms of a severe reaction.
🛑 If you think your dog is having a severe allergic reaction from skin exposure or ingestion, call your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Helpline —855-764-7661
Other reasons your dog may be itching
Aside from poison ivy, there are several other reasons your dog could be scratching. Fleas and other parasites, infections, and allergies can all cause similar skin irritations. If you aren’t sure if the rash is from a poisonous plant, it’s probably best to take your dog in for veterinary inspection.
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Anyone who’s had a poison ivy reaction knows that it’s uncomfortable and nearly impossible not to scratch. To minimize your furry pal’s pain, you should act quickly; your dog’s repeated scratching and chewing at the area can cause the skin to tear and become infected. Luckily, poison ivy in dogs is easily treated, but treatment is different depending if they’ve brushed up against poison ivy or ingested it
For skin exposure
If your dog has come into contact with poison ivy, whether the rash has appeared yet or not, the first thing you should do is cover your own skin. Since humans have much more exposed skin, the poisonous sap can be transmitted from pet to dog owners very easily. The best way to protect yourself from the affected area while helping your dog is to wear gloves.
You will need:
- Rubber gloves
- Oatmeal dog shampoo or Dawn dish soap
- Cone or e-collar
With your rubber gloves on, you can bathe your dog with warm water and oatmeal shampoo for dogs. If you don’t have oatmeal soap or quick access to it, Dawn or other dish soaps can also help break up and wash away the urushiol oils, though it may take a few days for the rash to subside. In the meantime, you can use an e-collar, or “cone,” to prevent excessive itching.
Monitor the area closely for 24 hours to ensure that the rash is improving. If it isn’t, or if it worsens, you should bring your dog to your veterinarian for an inspection. Your veterinarian may recommend Benadryl for your dog or another antihistamine to stop the itching.
Preventing your dog from spreading poison ivy symptoms
The best way to prevent your dog from spreading poison ivy symptoms to others is to act quickly. The more quickly you wash away the urushiol, the fewer chances they have to rub against you, your furniture, and your family members. If you’re not able to get to a bath quickly, wash the area with water and minimize the amount of contact your dog has with you and your belongings. Though it may be tempting, no petting!
After you’ve given your pooch a soothing bath, you should wash any clothing or towels that come into contact with the poison ivy areas– that includes their collar, bedding and anything else they’ve touched.
What to do if your dog eats poison ivy
Usually, a dog who ingests poison ivy will experience nothing worse than some mild stomach pain, vomiting, or diarrhea, which should pass fairly quickly. However, it is still a greater health risk than skin exposure because of the potential for an allergic reaction. If these symptoms don’t stop, or you notice fever or loss of appetite too, you should take your dog to the vet.
Though it’s rarely needed, don’t be hesitant to see a veterinarian if something seems wrong. In rare cases, dogs can have a severe reaction to poison ivy. Some cases will require special attention.
- If the rash doesn’t clear up in several days or if it continues to spread
- If the area becomes infected due to the scratching and open sores
- If your dog is feverish or loses their appetite