Is the alcohol in dog dental sprays good or bad? When this question became part of the national conversation for cat and dog lovers, the truth of the matter became clear…clearly divided That’s it.
The manufacturers of dog and cat dental care products, as well as the consumers who buy them, make valid arguments for and against the question. Here’s a look at both sides of the problem.
The two major manufacturers of pet oral care sprays, as revealed by their respective labels, add 25% pure grain alcohol (ethanol) to their popular products. This equates to a 1.25-ounce straight shot of whiskey. The reasons for doing so are twofold and completely valid, at least from a business point of view.
It’s good business sense
First of all, in manufacturing circles, alcohol is as common as water and cheap as dirt. Adding pennies of an ingredient to a product that can sell for $20 to $30 a copy is just good business sense. As profits rise, shareholders get big dividend checks, and a large number of consumers become convinced that the products are harmless because more money is spent buying more advertising to convince them. As the saying goes, the more you count, the more you sell.
A second point in favor of using alcohol in oral care sprays for dogs and cats also has to do with cost effectiveness. Alcohol is, after all, an excellent preservative. By mixing their products with the equivalent of a 50-proof cocktail, the guys at Big Alcohol can produce tens of thousands of bottles at a time, keeping manufacturing costs to a minimum. Storage costs are cheaper than small batch manufacturing costs. Finished products can remain stored on pallets, awaiting distribution in the market for 1 to 5 years before being released to consumers. This practice maximizes corporate profits.
But at what price?
Fortunately, there is a growing school of thought among responsible dog and cat lovers that puts animals ahead of corporations. Starting at the top is the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), which simply warns us: “Alcohol, even in small amounts, is harmful to dogs and cats.” No mincing words from the leading authority on animal cruelty, but let’s look at some of the medical reasons why.
When a dog or cat (or human) ingests alcohol, changes in blood chemistry begin immediately. Total body acid is increased, and alcoholic ketoacidosis (AKA), an acute metabolic acidosis, can occur over time. What is simply an annoying hangover for a human can become a matter of life and death for a dog or cat.
“Your dog is much smaller than you are,” says holistic veterinarian Dr. Andrew Jones, DVM, “and therefore much more susceptible to the toxic effects of alcohol, including death.”
What puts dogs and cats at even greater risk is, unlike humans, the inability to metabolize alcohol. “Alcohol depresses brain function in dogs and can send them into a coma,” says National Geographic in its special canine taboos. “Dogs aren’t equipped with the protective enzymes that allow humans to safely ingest reasonable amounts of alcohol. And because most dogs are smaller than humans and more sensitive to alcohol, not much is needed.” to cause serious problems.
Symptoms of alcohol toxicity in cats and dogs include:
- Lethargy
- Fainting
- vomiting
- Excessive panting (dogs)
- Shortness of breath (cats)
- belly bread
- Dehydration
- trouble urinating
- lack of coordination
- Diarrhea
- seizures
- foam at the mouth
- Eat
- brain damage
- Death
But what about Big Alcohol’s claim that a “small amount” of alcohol (ethanol) won’t harm your dog or cat? The ASPCA warns us once again: “Even ingesting a small amount of a product containing alcohol can cause significant intoxication.”
Another reference to small amounts of alcohol is found in Alcohol poisoning in dogs and cats by an author/contributor at voices.yahoo. “If your cat or dog weighs 10 pounds, he probably won’t be able to survive a dose of ethanol (grain alcohol) of more than 25 grams.” This is the exact amount of pure grain alcohol (ethyl alcohol) contained in a typical 4-ounce bottle of the popular dog and cat dental spray.
Conscientious veterinarians agree
So, in the final analysis, the evidence cannot be ignored. Conscientious veterinarians who think to be honest on the problem of alcohol in dental sprays for dogs and cats are coming to many of the same conclusions.
Small amounts of alcohol administered daily, over time, may be associated with
- Hepatic injury
- Renal insufficiency
- Reduced nutritional absorption
- Digestive problems
- nervous disorders
- Respiratory insufficiency
- distorted vision
- Early onset of disease
- Premature aging
- Reduced quality of life
If you’ve detected a not-so-subtle bias in my presentation of these facts, it’s because I’m more than a little outspoken about the dangers of alcohol in dog dental sprays. You see, as an herbalist specializing in natural remedies for dogs and cats, I ask you to give your beloved pet a truly safe and effective alternative. This product is alcohol-free, made with human-grade ingredients, and actually tastes good too. It’s called DentaSure 100% Natural Oral Care Spray & Gel for Dogs & Cats. Helps freshen breath, fight cavities, reverse gingivitis, remove plaque and tartar, and keep gums and teeth healthy.
More importantly, the product does not betray the trust that our furry companions place in us. It is quickly becoming the first choice of holistic veterinarians in the US and around the world. Join the movement of responsible dog and cat lovers everywhere who have switched to this refreshingly honest alternative.