What to Do if Your Dog Eats a Candle

In this guide

Candles are everywhere in Indian homes, from daily puja diyas to scented candles used for ambience, and during Diwali their numbers multiply many times over. A dog chewing into a candle is a fairly common household mishap, and while it usually looks worse than it is, a few details are worth knowing.

What makes up a candle

Most candles are made from paraffin wax, soy wax or beeswax, combined with a wick, usually cotton or, in older or imported candles, sometimes containing a thin metal core. Scented candles add fragrance oils, and some also contain essential oils, both of which are more likely to cause an upset stomach than the wax itself.

How dangerous it typically is

Plain wax, in small amounts, is generally low in toxicity and passes through the digestive system, though it can cause vomiting, diarrhoea or, in larger amounts, a greasy stool as the body tries to process something it cannot digest well. The bigger risks tend to be mechanical rather than chemical: a chewed wick can cause choking or an intestinal obstruction, and heavily scented or essential oil candles carry a higher risk of stomach upset than unscented ones.

Symptoms to watch for

• Vomiting or diarrhoea
• Drooling or pawing at the mouth if wax got stuck to teeth or gums
• Lethargy or refusal to eat
• Signs of blockage, such as repeated vomiting or straining to pass stool, particularly if a large piece of wick or a significant chunk of wax was swallowed
• Burns to the mouth or paws if the candle was lit at the time

What to do

If your dog has eaten a small piece of an unlit, unscented candle, monitor at home for vomiting, diarrhoea or signs of discomfort over the next day or two, and call your vet if anything seems off. If a significant chunk was eaten, if the candle was heavily scented, or if you are unsure how much wick or wax was swallowed, call your vet for guidance, since larger ingestions can sometimes need monitoring for a blockage. If your dog was burned by a lit candle, cool the area with lukewarm water and see a vet for proper wound care rather than treating it at home.

Prevention

Keep lit candles and diyas on stable, elevated surfaces well out of reach, especially during Diwali when their numbers go up across the house, and consider battery-operated flameless candles for areas your dog frequents. Store unused candles in a closed drawer or cabinet rather than leaving them out where a bored dog might decide to investigate.

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