Hazard Safety

True or False: Glow sticks, while fun, are harmful to pets.

Answer: True

We all like to include our pets in our fun! With nighttime summer festivities ramping up, you may be tempted to attach a glow stick or glow stick jewelry to your pet’s leash, collar or neck to help keep tabs on him. But one bite can cause the oily liquid in glow sticks (dibutyl phthalate, or DBP) to leak out causing gagging, drooling and gastrointestinal upset, as well as irritation of the eyes, mouth and skin—putting a damper on the summer fun.

If your pet does happen to sink his teeth into a glow stick, use a wet facecloth or towel to remove the DBP from your pet’s mouth and tongue, and offer water or a treat to help reduce the bitter taste. Give your pet a bath so they won’t get another dose of DBP while grooming. If your pet ingested the whole glow stick or is very distressed from the DBP, consult your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Helpline right away.

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