what will happen if a dog eats baking soda

Imagine coming home to your Houston apartment after a long day, only to find your Corgi, Bailey, with a white dusting around his mouth—your open box of baking soda is on its side, half-empty. That sinking feeling in your gut is valid, but let’s talk through what’s actually happening in his body.

Baking soda, scientifically sodium bicarbonate, acts differently in a dog’s system than in yours. A tiny taste, like licking a crumb off the floor, might not do much, but a couple of tablespoons? Think of it like dropping an Alka-Seltzer into a closed bottle. In his stomach, it reacts with gastric acid, creating carbon dioxide gas that expands quickly. My friend in Miami dealt with this when her Lab, Rocky, got into a full box—he started pacing, his belly hard as a basketball, and he couldn’t stop burping. The vet said the real risk is electrolyte imbalance: too much sodium throws off his blood chemistry, leading to weakness, seizures, or even heart issues in severe cases.

If you suspect Bailey ate more than a sprinkle, call your vet immediately. Note the time and estimate the amount—this helps them decide if he needs monitoring or treatment. Never induce vomiting; those gas bubbles could rupture his stomach, which is far more dangerous. Keep him quiet—running around the apartment will only make the gas expand faster. In shared living spaces, this means closing the bedroom door to block out noisy neighbors or barking dogs from the hallway; stress exacerbates the problem.

This incident is a good reminder to pet-proof strategically, especially in rental properties. Many leases in Chicago or Denver include clauses about keeping hazardous items out of pets’ reach, and storing baking soda (along with other toxins like xylitol gum or onion powder) in high cabinets keeps you both safe and compliant. When you’re out for walks, that same attention to detail matters: carrying poop bags (cities like Austin fine $200 for neglecting this) and respecting off-leash hours in community parks shows you’re a responsible neighbor. And if Bailey starts sniffing around the pantry later, guide him to his chew toy with a cheerful “good boy”—positive reinforcement teaches him better habits than scolding ever could. While you’re scheduling a vet check-up to monitor his recovery, double-check that his rabies vaccine is up to date; most public dog areas require proof, and it’s one less thing to worry about.

By bedtime, Bailey’s probably curled up on his bed, the worst of it passed. That’s the takeaway: staying calm, acting quickly, and prepping your space keeps these scares from turning into emergencies.