Is Hand Sanitiser Bad for Dogs? (& What to Do if They Eat it)

While trying to remain safe and healthy, you keep hand sanitiser on hand, but you didn't think twice about keeping it underneath the sink or on a coffee table. That was until your dog got a hold of it. Now, you may be wondering if hand sanitiser is toxic and whether your dog needs to seek emergency treatment if they consumed some.

Hopefully, you won't ever find yourself in this situation. However, if you do notice that your dog ate hand sanitiser, this guide will walk you through what to do next.

What Ingredients Are in Hand Sanitiser?

The most common ingredient found in hand sanitiser is ethanol alcohol — the same ingredient that's in beer, wine and liquor — which can be dangerous for dogs to ingest. Depending on the hand sanitiser, it may contain 60% to 95% ethanol by volume.

What Happens If My Dog Consumes Hand Sanitiser?

If you think your pup got into your stash of hand sanitiser, you're probably afraid that it is toxic to them. The question of toxicity all depends on how much they ate. There is little cause for concern if they simply lick your hands after you've applied hand sanitiser. Consuming more than a lick's worth, however, could cause more serious issues for your dog.

So how much hand sanitiser is too much for a pup to consume? The answer depends on the size, health and weight of the dog in question. However, as the American Kennel Club (AKC) notes, "The amount of ethanol needed to cause intoxication varies depending on its concentration in the substance ingested." Hand sanitiser can be lethal for dogs if enough is ingested, so if you suspect your dog has got into some, call your veterinarian.