How to Make Dog-Safe Bubbles: 10 Simple Steps (Vet Approved)

Dogs love to spend hours a day playing and having fun. One of the entertaining ways to let your dog enjoy an evening is by letting them play with bubbles. Seeing your dog run, jump, snap, and try to catch bubbles isn’t only cute, it’s a great form of occasional exercise. The issue, however, is finding a bubble solution that is safe for your dog.

Instead of trusting those you find at the store, one way of knowing what’s in your dog’s bubble solution is to make it yourself. This gives you full control of what’s inside to ensure your dog’s safety. To help you create a dog-safe bubble mixture, you can check out our 10 tips below.

How to Make Dog-Safe Bubbles:

Remember: There is no such thing as a 100% safe soap or washing liquid for your dog. It’s best to consult with your vet first depending on the products available on different markets that may be labeled similarly but contain different ingredients.

1. Gather Your Ingredients and Tools

Before getting started, grab all your ingredients and tools. By having everything by your side, you can make quick work of making bubbles so you can spend more time watching your dog enjoy them. Here’s a list of what you will need to make your dog-safe bubble solution:

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2. Choose Your Work Area

When you have all your ingredients and tools gathered, choose a safe place to create your solution. This space should be large enough to lay out all your necessary tools and equipment while also being easy to clean up in case of spills or accidents. An open area on your kitchen countertop or a cleared kitchen table is a great choice, but make sure your dog stays out of the way, as they might want to lick any accidental spillage.

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3. Use an Airtight Container

The first step in making your dog safe bubbles to play with is finding a good container. The last thing you want is for the bubbles to spill out leaving you with a mess and a lot of residue to clean. Once you have a trusted, airtight container, you can get started.

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4. Choose the Right Pet-Safe Dishwashing Liquid

Many people debate whether using Dawn in a dog-safe bubble recipe is the way to go. Dawn is often the easiest dish liquid to get your hands on. However, it isn’t your only option. Seventh Generation Free & Clear is also another great choice that many feel makes better bubbles.

No matter which soap you use, it is best to avoid allowing your dog to eat a lot of bubbles when they are playing. There is no such thing as a 100% safe soap or washing liquid for your dog. They are just not meant to eat it, as in very small dogs, large amounts can cause signs of stomach upset, drooling, mouth sores, skin and eye irritation.

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5. Add the Pet-Safe Dishwashing Liquid or Soap

Inside your airtight container, add the dish liquid of your choice. If you use Dawn, only add ½ teaspoon or less. If you use Seventh Generation or another natural, biodegradable dish liquid you will also need less than a teaspoon.

Avoid making the solution too concentrated, as this means your dog will end up ingesting more of the soap than ideal. Also, it’s easier to add a little extra if the solution doesn’t seem right than make a heavily concentrated one.

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6. Add the Water

Next, add 1 cup of water to your liquid. It’s up to you whether you want to use filtered water, bottled water, or even tap water. It may help with mixing if you use warm water instead of cold.

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7. Vegetable Glycerin

Now, it’s time to add 1 teaspoon of food-grade glycerin. If you aren’t familiar with glycerin or struggle to find it, check out the cake decorating aisle of your local grocery store or craft store. If you still can’t find glycerin then feel free to substitute with a small amount of corn syrup in this step.

Glycerin is considered fairly safe for dogs in small amounts and is often added to dog food, so no worries on that front. Consider the harmful effects of palm oil-derived glycerin products on deforestation, loss of habitat, and endangerment of many wild animal species when choosing the right glycerin. Avoid any artificial sweeteners, particularly xylitol, as it’s highly toxic to dogs.

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8. Dog Bone Broth

Some people prefer using flavored bubbles to help convince their dogs to interact. This choice is completely up to you and your dog. These tips will help you make great bubbles without the addition of dog bone broth. If you do decide to use the broth, add 1 teaspoon to your mixture. Another option is a small amount of organic peanut butter, but make sure it doesn’t contain xylitol, which is toxic for dogs.

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9. Mix All Ingredients

Now that all of your ingredients are in your airtight container, it’s time to mix them. Using your stirrer or spoon, slowly mix the ingredients. Taking your time will help you avoid making too many bubbles in the process.

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10. Let Stand Overnight

For the best bubbles for your pooch, it’s best to close your airtight container and allow your bubble mixture to stand overnight. The following day, you and your dog will have loads of fun playing with the safe bubbles you’ve created.

Tips for Safe Bubble Play with Your Dog

Now that you know how to make your dog-safe bubbles, it’s time to learn a few safety tips for using them. Not only will your dog have fun, but you’ll feel better knowing the two of you are playing it safe.

Where to Use Your Solution

This dog-safe bubble solution doesn’t leave a lot of mess behind. However, it does contain soap which can be slippery. To avoid potential falls or slips into furniture around the house it may be best to use this solution outdoors.

Also, make sure your dog is not jumping too high after the bubbles so as not to injure their back. This game will not be suitable for all dogs, especially ones with previous back injuries or higher risk of disc disease, or older dogs with achy and stiff joints.

Avoid Eye Contact

It’s hard to keep bubbles out of your dog’s eyes while they are snapping and jumping at them. If you notice the solution is getting in your dog’s eyes, wash them out immediately and stop the game. This solution uses soap and can irritate or burn the eyes.

Be Careful About Ingestion

Yes, in our tips we mentioned using bone broth to entice your dog to play. This gives the bubbles a slight flavor. While it’s hard for your dog to ingest a dangerous amount of dish soap while playing with the bubbles, too much, especially in very small dogs, can cause an upset stomach. Always monitor your pet while they play with the bubbles. If you see any signs of distress or skin, eye or mouth irritation, stop immediately.

Conclusion

Watching your dog as they bounce through the backyard playing with bubbles is a great way to pass the day and have fun at the same time. By using our tips above, you can safely make bubbles for your dog that they will love. While these tips can easily be changed to fit the products you have around your home, the most important part is to not use any dishwashing liquid that can be toxic to your dog.

If you aren’t sure about the brand you’ve chosen, call your veterinarian to get more information. This will ensure your dog is safe while they play the day away. Avoid blowing bubbles very high in the air, as dogs can injure their back trying to jump up high to catch them mid-air. Be mindful that this game is not suitable for all dogs.

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Featured Image Credit: alihasadd25, Pixabay