A&D ointment is not recommended for use on dogs. While a small lick of the original formula is unlikely to cause a medical emergency, the ointment contains several ingredients that pose real risks to dogs, especially with repeated exposure or if your dog chews into a tube. The diaper rash version of A&D, which contains zinc oxide, is significantly more dangerous.
What’s Actually in A&D Ointment
There are two main A&D products, and the distinction matters. The original A&D ointment contains 15.5% lanolin and 53.4% petrolatum as active ingredients, with cod liver oil (the source of vitamins A and D), fragrance, light mineral oil, microcrystalline wax, and paraffin. This formula is designed as a skin protectant for humans.
The A&D diaper rash cream is a different product. It contains 10% zinc oxide, which is the ingredient that makes it genuinely toxic to dogs. If your dog got into a tube, knowing which version they consumed changes the level of concern considerably.
Why Zinc Oxide Is the Biggest Danger
Zinc oxide is irritating to a dog’s digestive tract. Vomiting typically starts within four hours of ingestion, and some dogs begin throwing up in as little as 75 minutes. This is actually somewhat protective: because zinc is poorly absorbed from the gut, dogs that vomit early often clear the substance before it causes deeper harm. If vomiting doesn’t occur, diarrhea is more likely to develop. Some dogs also develop facial swelling and hives after eating zinc oxide products.
The real danger comes from repeated or prolonged exposure. When an owner applies a zinc oxide cream to a dog’s skin and the dog keeps licking it off, the cumulative intake can lead to systemic zinc poisoning. Signs of this include pale gums, rapid heart rate, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and dark or discolored urine. Zinc destroys red blood cells, causing a type of anemia that can progress to kidney failure, liver damage, and pancreatitis. While the estimated toxic dose of zinc oxide in dogs is around 108 grams (roughly a full tube or more in a single sitting), smaller repeated doses over time can produce the same systemic effects.
Risks of the Original (Non-Zinc) Formula
The original A&D ointment is less acutely dangerous, but it’s still not safe to use on dogs. The main concerns are the individual ingredients and the near-certainty that your dog will lick it off.
Petrolatum and mineral oil act as mild laxatives when ingested. A small amount may cause soft stool or mild diarrhea. More concerning, mineral oil aspiration (inhaling tiny droplets while licking or vomiting) can cause a condition called exogenous lipid pneumonia, which has been documented in both dogs and cats. Long-term mineral oil ingestion also coats the intestinal lining and reduces absorption of fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K.
The cod liver oil in A&D provides vitamins A and D. Both are fat-soluble, meaning excess amounts aren’t flushed out through urine. They accumulate in fat tissue and the liver. Vitamin D toxicity can lead to kidney failure and death. Vitamin A toxicity at very high levels causes joint pain, abnormal bone development, and reduced growth, particularly dangerous in puppies. A single lick of ointment won’t deliver enough of either vitamin to reach toxic thresholds, but the fragrance and lanolin add further irritation risk for dogs with sensitive skin.
What to Do If Your Dog Ate A&D Ointment
If your dog got into a tube of the original A&D formula, watch for vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, or loss of appetite over the next several hours. A small amount from a single exposure will likely cause nothing more than mild stomach upset, if anything at all. A large amount, or any amount of the zinc oxide version, warrants a call to your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
Pay attention to the timeline. Vomiting within the first few hours is common and often resolves on its own. Signs that develop later, such as pale gums, lethargy, dark urine, or refusal to eat, suggest the zinc or other compounds have entered the bloodstream and are affecting organs. These symptoms need veterinary attention promptly.
Safer Options for Your Dog’s Skin
If you’re looking to treat dry, irritated, or cracked skin on your dog, there are better choices that won’t pose a toxicity risk when licked. For non-infected skin, veterinary dermatologists often recommend CeraVe moisturizing lotion, which helps repair the skin’s natural barrier without harmful ingredients. Colloidal oatmeal-based shampoos work well for general itchiness and dryness. For routine bathing, a hypoallergenic, fragrance-free moisturizing shampoo is the safest bet.
Avoid products containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, both of which can be toxic to dogs. Coconut oil is sometimes used as a simple moisturizer, though dogs tend to lick it off enthusiastically. For wounds, cuts, or persistent skin problems, a vet can prescribe topical treatments specifically formulated for dogs, which account for the fact that dogs groom themselves by licking. That fundamental difference between human and canine skin care is exactly why reaching for a product from your medicine cabinet is usually the wrong call.