PupkeeperCaution
Dog ate zinc oxide and diaper rash cream? Usually mild: what to do now
Usually mild. A one-time lick or swallow of zinc oxide cream, like diaper rash cream, usually causes only stomach upset.
Zinc oxide and diaper rash cream and dogs: key facts
- Verdict
- Caution · Watch at home
- What it can do
- Vomiting, diarrhea and stomach upset.
- How fast
- Usually within 2-4 hours
- What to do now
- Take the tube away and wipe any cream off your dog's mouth and fur. All steps
- Sources
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Reviewed 9 October 2026.
What should I do if my dog ate zinc oxide and diaper rash cream?
- Take the tube away and wipe any cream off your dog's mouth and fur.
- Watch for vomiting or diarrhea over the next few hours.
- Call your vet if your dog ate a large amount, keeps vomiting, or has been licking the cream for days.
Don't
- Don't let your dog keep licking zinc cream day after day.
- Don't make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to.
Symptoms to watch for
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach upset
When signs appear: Usually within 2-4 hours
Why
Zinc oxide is a skin protectant in diaper creams and some sunscreens. Eating it once usually just irritates the stomach, but eating it often over days can damage red blood cells. Swallowed coins and metal are a different, more serious zinc danger.
Sources
Guide reviewed 9 October 2026. Page updated 7 November 2026.
General information from the sources above, not a diagnosis. When in doubt, call your vet.