Dog Ate Paint Off the Wall: What to Do Now?

Zack Keithy, our author, has been a certified veterinarian technician for over 6 years (contact him here). The articles written here are based on his expertise and experience, combined with a review by our expert vet reviewers. Learn more about us here.

Have you ever wondered, what if your dog ate paint off the wall?

I mean, if you were to pick anything off the wall in your house, would it be paint? What are they thinking? It isn’t like it’s tasty like a potato chip or anything.

If your dog has eaten paint, there are a few things to consider before panicking.

First of all, what kind of paint was it? Acrylic paint is very toxic to dogs and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even death.

If your dog ate a lot of it, call your vet right away or if possible, send it to an emergency vet.

Water-based paints are less harmful than oil-based paints but still cause stomach problems in dogs if they ingest large amounts.

In most cases though, if the dog only ate a little bit (and you’re sure it was water-based) then don’t panic!

In this post, you will learn why dogs sometimes do this and how you can prevent this from happening again.

You will also learn the steps you can take should something like this occur to your dog too.

Why Is My Dog Eating Paint Off the Wall?

While there are many reasons why dogs may eat paint off the wall, one of the most common is that they’re bored.

Dogs are curious animals and will try anything once—including licking or eating random things in their environment.

If you notice that your dog has started to chew on something he shouldn’t be chewing on, like furniture or the walls, it’s possible that he’s looking for something to do!

Try giving him more toys or other distractions so he doesn’t have time to get into trouble.

Doggy says, consider reading this too: Dog ate a popsicle stick

Another reason why dogs might eat the paint off their walls could be because they have a nutritional deficiency.

Dogs need minerals like zinc and calcium in order to grow properly, but those minerals aren’t always easy for them to get from their diet alone.

If your dog is eating the paint off the walls, it could be a sign of some kind of deficiency.

Talk to your vet about how you can fix this problem long-term by adding supplements or changing what food you give him every day!

P.S.: Dogs have really strange behavior sometimes, just like why they put food in their mouth and then spits it out.

What Happens if a Dog Eats Paint?

If your dog has ingested paint, you should take them to the vet immediately. They may need to be treated for gastrointestinal issues that could result from the paint.

If your dog is vomiting or having diarrhea, it may have an upset stomach, so it’s important that they get plenty of fluids and rest. Your vet will advise you on what to do next.

If your dog is lethargic, has a fever, or seems otherwise unwell after ingesting paint (or anything else), contact your veterinarian right away as this could be a sign of poisoning.

In most cases of poisoning in dogs, veterinary care is necessary as soon as possible because early treatment can improve outcomes for pets that are poisoned with such toxic chemicals.

Most people don’t realize that even small amounts can be lethal when swallowed by our pets; therefore it’s important for pet owners to understand how dangerous these substances are.

What happens if a dog eats paint chips?

Just like eating the paint off the wall, eating paint chips can be very bad for a dog’s health.

Lead poisoning may result from the consumption of paint chips that contain these harmful compounds, and for sure, if a dog ingested more than it should, it is likely to experience behavioral abnormalities, seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, and other symptoms.

In the worst cases, lead poisoning can lead to death.

Similar to the above situation, a consultation with the vet is your best bet. If there are no serious symptoms, you may want to at least have an online chat with a qualified doctor.

Doggy says, read this too: Dog Ate a Metal Zipper? How to Stop It?

What Happens if a Dog Eats a Little Bit of Acrylic Paint?

If your dog eats a small amount of acrylic paint, it should be fine.

It takes significant amounts of paint to cause serious damage to a dog’s health.

However, if you notice that your dog is eating paint from the wall or other surfaces in your home, take them immediately to a vet for treatment as soon as possible.

The best way to treat poisoning from paints and other household products is with supportive care such as IV fluids, antibiotics, and pain relief medication.

Is Wall Paint Toxic to Dogs?

The short answer is yes, wall paint is toxic to dogs.

Paint can be ingested or inhaled, and the most serious threat from exposure is to a dog’s kidneys and liver.

However, it’s not as toxic as some other materials that dogs are exposed to every day.

For example, the average dog owner isn’t likely to have something like lead-based paint in their home, so the likelihood of your dog licking something lethal is quite low.

What Are the Signs of Poisoning in a Dog?

It’s no secret that dogs love to eat things they shouldn’t.

While it can be fun to watch your pup get into mischief, it’s not so fun when you have to deal with the consequences of that misbehavior.

If your dog has eaten something toxic, there are some common signs of poisoning that you should look out for. These include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Lethargy or weakness
• Excessive salivation or drooling
• Tremors or seizures (your dog’s head may shake as if he’s having a seizure)
• Unconsciousness (your dog will fall into a coma)

You will surely be able to see some signs before it starts to smell like death!

How Do You Treat a Dog That Has Been Poisoned?

The best way to treat a dog that has been poisoned is to call the vet and describe the symptoms you’re seeing.

A lot of people panic when their dog gets into something they shouldn’t have, but remember: dogs are masters of eating things they shouldn’t.

It’s actually a very good thing that they have such a strong sense of smell and taste—it means they can use those senses to guide them in finding food that is safe for them.

If your dog has just eaten something strange, wait an hour or so before taking any action.

If your dog seems okay after that time period, there’s probably no cause for concern.

If not, though, call the vet and describe what happened—they’ll know what to do next!

Doggy says, read this next: Why is my German Shorthaired Pointer not eating?

Is It Safe to Paint With Dogs in the House?

When you have dogs in your house, everything is a little bit different.

You have to be extra careful about what you’re doing, and that includes painting the walls.

Nobody wants any of it to get on your dog or cause them harm.

Here are a few tips you can use:

• Keep your dog in a separate room. If you have to paint and your dog is in the same room, try to keep them away from the fumes. You can do this by keeping them in another room or by closing off that area of your house with plastic sheeting.
• Do not let your dog near any freshly painted surfaces for at least 24 hours after the application has been completed. Even when dry, oil-based paint can be harmful to dogs because it contains solvents such as turpentine and linseed oil which are poisonous if ingested or inhaled!
• Ensure that no food or water bowls are left out while working on painting projects so that paint won’t contaminate them

Doggy says, you might like this too: Dog Bobbing Head Around Food Bowl [Explained]

Does Paint Have Lead?

Lead poisoning is a serious health problem that can cause brain damage if left untreated.

Even ingesting small amounts of lead can be fatal for your pet!

Because of this, paint manufacturers have stopped adding it to their products since the 1970s.

However, if you are living in an old house, lead-based paint might still be present and there is no easy way to know for sure.

Most likely though, they are likely to be underneath layers of new paint that have been added on over the years and are harmless.

If you really wish to have peace of mind, especially with small children and pets around, you might want to engage a certified lead professional.

Does Milk Help With Dog Poisoning?

It might sound strange to ask this question, but trust me, many people still do.

The truth is that this is a myth that has been passed down for many decades now.

Unfortunately, the opposite is true.

Milk can make your dog feel worse and can cause diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, and flatulence.

How Long After Painting Is It Safe for Dogs?

Well, there’s no easy answer here.

The truth is that every dog is different and they all have different tolerance levels for things like paint fumes.

If you’re worried about how long after painting it will be safe for your dog to come out of hiding, there are a few things you can do:

1. Ask your vet if there’s anything specific that might cause problems for him/her—if so, try to avoid those things as much as possible (for example, if the vet tells you that ammonia bothers his/her nose, stay away from products with ammonia).
2. Pay close attention to any changes in behavior or appearance (like coughing), which could indicate that he/she isn’t feeling well from the fumes or chemicals in the paint.

I would recommend at least 48 hours to let the room dry off before letting my dogs in.

Can Dog Sleep in Room After Painting?

Similar to the question above, no, you should not let your dog sleep in a painted room for at least 48 hours.

This is to allow the walls to dry completely and prevent any accidental licking of the paint, which can lead to sickness in your dog.

There is just no way to be sure that your dog will not lick the walls, so why take chance?

What Paint Is Non Toxic to Dogs?

If you are planning to paint your home, you might want to keep a look out for pet-friendly paint.

The problem? Manufacturers don’t put labels on them.

How do you know which to choose then?

The safest paint you can use is milk-based paint.

Water-based milk paint is non-toxic and environmentally beneficial due to the components it contains.

As a result, there won’t be any of the bothersome fumes that polyurethane paints produce, and it’s also safe for dogs.

In Conclusion: Dog Ate Paint Off Wall

The best way to prevent your dog from eating paint is to pay close attention to the conditions of your wall!

If they are peeling off, you should look into getting a fresh coat soon, or else you really can’t blame curious Cookie for trying to get a piece of it.

After painting a room, keep your dog away for at least 48 hours so that there won’t be any accidental poisoning.

I’m sure you will do a great job after reading this post!