will the smell of mothballs hurt a dog

Yes, mothballs are toxic to dogs and other household pets. The mothball can even be toxic if your dog doesn’t ingest it as it has very strong fumes. Mothball poisoning and toxicity can happen due to the naphthalene

and paradichlorobenzene chemicals inside of it.

Full Answer

Will moth balls repel dogs?

Yes, mothballs repel unwanted dogs from coming into the yard. The balls are filled with chemical pesticide and deodorant. Normally, mothballs keep moths away. All you have to do is put a Mothball outside. Mothballs smell bad. Then the dog will turn its nose up and leave your yard alone. However, mothballs are poisonous.

Will mothballs repel dogs?

Mothballs don't really smell good to anyone, but dogs especially hate the scent. They are good for repelling dogs from an entire area, but use them with caution. Mothballs are poisonous to most animals and to humans. Place them out of reach of pets and children.

Will mothballs keep dogs from pooping in my yard?

Yes, those little balls of chemical pesticide and deodorant used to repel moths can also be used to keep unwanted dogs away from your yard. Simply put Mothballs smell bad, meaning that it will put intruding animals off using your backyard as their personal potty.

Are mothballs dangerous to dogs?

Yes, mothballs are toxic to dogs and other household pets. The mothball can even be toxic if your dog doesn’t ingest it as it has very strong fumes. Mothball poisoning and toxicity can happen due to the naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene chemicals inside of it.

Can dogs be around moth balls?

Long-term exposure to mothball fumes can harm pets and people. “Old-fashioned” naphthalene mothballs are considered the most toxic type of mothball due to smaller amounts causing poisoning.

Is the mothball smell bad for animals?

The chemicals in mothballs are toxic to humans and pets. People are exposed to the chemicals in mothballs by inhaling the fumes. If you smell mothballs, you are being exposed to these chemicals. Children or pets sometimes mistake mothballs for food or candy and eat them, which can cause serious effects.

How long does mothball smell last?

about 3-6 monthsMothball odor is a terrible smell to have clinging to your clothing. And we have some shocking news for you: a single mothball takes about 3-6 months to dissipate completely. If you put the mothball under fabric or someplace where there is no air circulation, it takes about 12 months to dissipate!

Why don't we use mothballs anymore?

Not only are artificial fabrics totally lacking in nutritional value, they can disrupt moths' reproductive cycle and sometimes even impede their ability to lay and fertilize eggs.

Is the smell of mothballs harmful to cats?

Many mothballs and flakes contain naphthalene which is dangerous to cats. A little sniff or lick might cause mild self-limiting signs such as nausea, vomiting and respiratory irritation. However, ingestion may lead to severe poisoning.

Does the smell of mothballs bother cats?

Cats don't like mothballs because of their strong smell. They also contain harmful ingredients that are unsafe for both cats and humans.

What animals are repelled by mothballs?

Mothballs sometimes are used illegally to repel pests not listed on labels. Some of these “off-label pests” include: squirrels, skunks, deer, mice, rats, and snakes, among others animals.

Are mothballs toxic to squirrels?

While many people claim that mothballs are very effective in the fight against these little critters, they are also toxic and can be dangerous to both the squirrel and your family and pets.

Why are mothballs toxic to dogs?

Mothballs contain a high concentration of insect repellent. Poisoning most commonly occurs when dogs ingest mothballs. Cats are more sensitive to their toxic effects, but dogs are more likely to ingest mothballs due to their curious nature. Long-term exposure to mothball fumes can harm pets and people.

What to do if my dog eats a mothball?

The veterinarian may also recommend administering activated charcoal to decrease absorption of chemicals by the gastrointestinal tract.

What are mothballs and how are they used?

Mothballs are solid pesticides that slowly release a vapor to kill and repel moths, their larvae, and other insects from stored clothing and fabric. Mothballs are sometimes used to repel snakes, mice, and other animals. Using mothballs in this way is not recommended and can be harmful to pets, children, and the environment.

What are the clinical signs of mothball poisoning?

Mothballs dissolve slowly when ingested by dogs, and poisoning can be delayed for several days. Signs of poisoning may include:

How is mothball poisoning treated?

Early decontamination and treatment decrease the risk for serious poisoning.

What is the prognosis for recovery from mothball poisoning?

The outcome depends on many factors including the initial health of the pet, amount ingested, and time to treatment. With early treatment, pets are less likely to develop long term effects. Some pets may have permanent liver or kidney damage. Although uncommon, death may occur with high doses or when treatment is delayed.

How can I prevent mothball poisoning?

Always store mothballs out of reach of children and pets. Only store mothballs in closed, airtight containers to prevent accidental ingestion by pets. Make sure you follow label instructions, and never use mothballs loose in your home, yard, or garden to repel pests. Do not mix different types of mothballs or mix mothballs with other chemicals or insecticides. Many nonchemical methods for preventing insect damage to fabrics are available and are safer alternatives to mothballs if you have pets.

Can PetMD answer pet health questions?

Note: PetMD isn’t able to respond to pet health questions or to offer veterinary advice.

Can a dog eat a mothball?

Eating one naphthal ene mothball is enough to make cats and small dogs very sick so this is not a situation to be ignored. If you suspect that your pet has eaten a mothball (or been exposed by another route), call your veterinarian immediately. It may be possible to get your pet to vomit up the mothball if they have eaten it in the last couple of hours.

Can paradichlorobenzene cause a burning sensation in dogs?

In rare cases, red blood cell damage and anemia are possible. Skin contact with paradichlorobenzene can result in a burning sensation and local irritation.

Is mothball the same as p-dichlorobenzene?

First of all, mothballs are not all the same. They can contain two different active ingredients: naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene (p-dichlorobenzene). These two chemicals are also available as flakes, cakes, and crystals, in addition to mothballs. In whatever form, naphthalene is about twice as toxic as paradichlorobenzene, which means that a pet can eat approximately twice as much paradichlorobenzene before death occurs. Therefore, if you’re going to buy mothballs, look for ones made from paradichlorobenzene.

Can naphthalene cause seizures in dogs?

Naphthalene also damages a pet’s red blood cells and can lead to anemia, brown colored mucous membranes, weakness, lethargy, and sometimes seizures. Cataracts and liver damage are possible as well. Naphthalene can also be absorbed through the skin and lungs, but the most severe problems develop after ingestion.

Can cats get sick from mothballs?

Cats are more sensitive to mothballs than are dogs, and other species can become sick after exposure as well. For example, veterinarians have reported several instances of birds developing symptoms like lethargy, weakness, and difficulty breathing after inhaling fumes from mothballs. At least one bird died as a result.

Do mothballs float?

Naphthalene mothballs will float and paradichlorobenzene mothballs will sink.

How long do mothballs last?

You will also need to be constantly replacing your mothballs as they typically only last up to a year at a maximum, but also only 2 months at a minimum. They will also dissolve in the rain meaning that you could potentially be going through a lot of them if you live in a particularly rainy climate.

What are other good natural dog repellents and why do they work?

You will also want to ensure that the fence goes around 6 inches underground to stop dogs from tunnelling underneath as well. This is probably the best way to keep unwanted dogs out of your yard.

What should I do if my neighbour’s dog keeps pooping in my yard?

If, despite these measures your neighbour’s dog does keep pooping on your property what do you do? Before doing anything too drastic make absolutely sure it was their dog and instead of a stray dog or other animal. If this has been a one time occurrence it may not be worth potentially starting any unwanted drama with your neighbour over such a minor infraction. However, if you know for sure the culprit is your neighbour’s dog and this has been something that’s been happening for a while you will need to confront them about it.

What is the best way to keep dogs out of your yard?

Failing that there are plenty of natural dog repellents that can work wonders. Chilli Peppers, for example is an excellent way of keeping unwanted dogs out of your yard. Chilli Peppers irritate the sensitive area around a dog’s nose which should prevent them from singling out your yard as their dumping ground in future.

Can you use deodorant to keep dogs away from your yard?

Yes, those little balls of chemical pesticide and deodorant used to repel moths can also be used to keep unwanted dogs away from your yard. Simply put Mothballs smell bad, meaning that it will put intruding animals off using your backyard as their personal potty.

Can mothballs harm plants?

As mothballs usually contain either naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, they can also be harmful to the environment. These chemicals are very toxic and can cause a lot of damage if they get into your soil and plants. Ironically, they can do a lot more damage to your garden the pests you are trying to keep out.

Can mothballs be toxic?

Mothballs are so toxic that even the fumes are also poisonous to dogs. Not only this but mothballs can also be harmful to humans, especially if you are exposed to the fumes long term. It is also possible for them to be ingested by unsuspecting young children who stumble upon them!

What should you do if your cat or dog eats a mothball?

If you suspect your dog or cat has eaten a mothball or even nibbled on one, seek professional help and take your pet to a vet as soon as possible. Do not induce vomiting.

What does it mean when you smell mothballs?

Once you've smelled mothballs, you never forget that distinctly pungent, repulsive odor. And if you smell them, you're inhaling insecticide, says the National Pesticide Information Center. Mothballs are fumigants and contain highly volatile chemicals.

What does mothball vapor do to clothes?

Advertisement. Mothball vapor kills clothes moths that are trapped inside sealed, airtight containers, and the balls slowly disappear, turning into gas and mixing with the surrounding air. The vapor sticks to clothes and fabrics which need to be aired out or washed after exposure to mothballs during storage.

What is the purpose of mothballs?

Acting as a repellent and an exterminator is the job of mothballs; the intended purpose is to kill and repel clothes moths and their larvae (webbing clothes moth and casemaking clothes moth), and other fabric-infesting pests like carpet beetles in stored clothing and fabric. But they can also be a household hazard to pets and everyone else in the home.

Is it safe to use mothballs on dogs?

As little as one mothball can be toxic when ingested by a dog or cat. When used and stored properly, mothballs are relatively safe to have in a home with pets, states VCA Hospitals. But as a pet parent, why take a chance when there is always the potential for inhalation or accidental poisoning even if following the directions exactly, and when there are safe alternatives to controlling clothes moths that pose no threat to your pets and other family members.

Can you store mothballs outside?

Store mothballs in a locked cabinet out of reach of pets and children in an airtight, sealed container. Only use mothballs in an airtight, sealed container such as a garment bag or plastic bin with tight-fitting top (airtight) that does not allow dangerous fumes to escape into your living space, and do not use outdoors where mothballs can harm pets (your own and others) and wildlife, and contaminate the environment.

Can cats eat moth balls?

Also, some mothball s are illegal and imported from other countries bearing no ingredient list, thu s toxicity is unknown.