Homemade play dough is a favourite activity for many families, but it can pose a significant poisoning risk if curious pets decide to have a taste. Most homemade play dough recipes contain flour, salt, water, vegetable oil, cream of tartar (potassium bitartrate), food colouring and occasionally glitter, fragrances or essential oils. While many of these ingredients are relatively harmless, salt and cream of tartar are the primary toxic ingredients of concern.

The large amount of salt used in many recipes can cause salt toxicity in all companion animals. The severity of poisoning depends on the amount ingested relative to your pet’s body weight and can range from gastrointestinal upset including vomiting and excessive thirst to severe neurological signs, including tremors and seizures.

Cream of tartar (potassium bitartrate) is a source of tartaric acid, the same compound now believed to be responsible for the kidney toxicity seen in grape and raisin poisoning in dogs. Because of this, dogs are particularly sensitive to cream of tartar, and previous cases of acute kidney injury have been reported following ingestion of homemade play dough containing cream of tartar.

As every homemade recipe is different, the risk depends on the ingredients used, their concentration and the amount ingested. Even relatively small amounts can be significant, particularly in small dogs.

Prevention is simple:

🐾 Keep homemade play dough out of reach of pets during and after play.

🐾 Supervise children and ensure they don’t feed play dough to pets.

🐾 Consider using pet-safe modelling alternatives if pets are likely to have access.

The Animal Poisons Helpline provides expert advice to pet owners and can be reached on: ☎️ 1300 869 738 (AU), 0800 869 738 (NZ) , 3106 4216 (SG), (917) 722-5958 (US) or +1917-722-5958 (CAN).

If you are a member of a veterinary team you can also join the Animal Poisons Centre For Vets Facebook group which is regularly updated with toxicology tidbits and poisoning trends. To stay up to date with the latest pet poison alerts and receive updates directly to your inbox, visit animalpoisons.com.au/stay-up-to-date and subscribe.