Are Wheat Bags Safe for Dogs? Our Comprehensive Guide

When it comes to soothing aching muscles or helping with anxiety, wheat bags (also known as ‘heat packs’) are a popular choice for humans.

But what about our furry friends? As pet parents, seeing our dogs anxious or under the weather can be tough, which is why many of us look for gentle, natural ways to bring them comfort and pain relief.

In this guide, we’ll dive into the topic of wheat bags for dogs, exploring whether they’re safe, when to use them, and some precautions to keep in mind. 

First things first…

What Are Wheat Bags and What Are They Used For?

To put it simply, wheat bags are fabric pouches filled with wheat grains that are commonly used as reusable heat packs. They can be warmed up in the microwave or chilled in the freezer to provide soothing heat or cold therapy, making them a popular choice for relieving muscle aches, joint pain, and stress.

Many wheat bags on the market come in soft, comfortable covers and can be scented with calming herbs like lavender, which enhances their relaxing effect.

While they’re popular with humans, wheat bags can also be used for pets. But are they as safe for pets as they are for us?

Are Wheat Bags Safe for Dogs?

You’ll be pleased to know that, yes, wheat bags can be safe for dogs, as long as they are used correctly.

To ensure the utmost safety for your pet, we recommend using wheat bags that are especially designed for pets and heat to a safe temperature, like ours here at Sooth and Settle.

Our wheat bags are especially designed for the use of dogs, and adhere to British wheat bag safety standards. They are made from 100% cotton, are filled with clean wheat grains and feature a soft polar fleece, which can be removed and washed (ensuring lasting hygiene and comfort for your pet). 

Browse our range of microwavable wheat bags for dogs here.

What are the Benefits of Using a Wheat Bag for my Pet?

Using a wheat bag for your pet can offer several comforting and therapeutic benefits for your dog (or cat!). 

For pets dealing with muscle soreness, joint pain, or arthritis, the gentle heat from a wheat bag can relax tight muscles and alleviate stiffness. This is because the warmth from the bag increases blood flow to affected areas, making it a natural way to ease discomfort, especially for older pets who may be prone to aches and pains.

During colder months, wheat bags can also provide extra warmth for your pets, which is ideal for breeds with thin fur or those sensitive to the cold. Simply place a microwaved wheat bag in their bed and watch them snuggle up to it.

In addition to physical relief, wheat bags can be a great tool to help pets who suffer with anxiety. This is because our furry friends often find warmth comforting, so the soothing heat of a wheat bag can help calm them during stressful situations like thunderstorms, fireworks, or even car journeys.

Another way to help your dog find calm in these stressful situations is to use a hush muff. These are earmuffs especially designed for dogs, which muffles the impact of sudden noises.

Browse our wide range of hush muffs here.

Tips/ Guidelines When Using a Dog Wheat Bag

As mentioned above, wheat bags are completely safe for your pet, as long as they are used correctly. So, here are some important guidelines to ensure their safety and comfort. 

1. Don’t Leave Your Dog Alone

The first and one of the most important tips we can give is to not leave your dog unsupervised with a wheat bag. Dogs have a tendency to chew on their toys, and a wheat bag might not be any different.

If your dog tears through a wheat bag, this can lead to a torn fabric, spills and even ingestion and choking (which can, of course, be dangerous). 

2. Check The Temperature

It’s also important that, before placing it on your dog, you check the temperature of the wheat bag, ensuring that it’s warm but not hot. 

You can test it by placing it on your wrist to make sure it’s not too hot for your dog’s sensitive skin. If the wheat bag feels too hot, do not apply it to your dog, as this will likely cause burns, especially on areas like their belly, paws, or ears.

We recommend that our wheat bags are heated in a microwave for no more than 2 minutes, to ensure the perfect temperature.

3. Avoid Strongly Scented Wheat Bags

Another good tip is to opt for unscented wheat bags, as many scented bags contain essential oils, which can be harmful to dogs if ingested or inhaled.

Essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus, or peppermint can be toxic to pets, so ensure you’re choosing fragrance-free options when using wheat bags with your dog. 

Dogs have a much stronger sense of smell than humans, so even mild scents can be overwhelming and potentially distressing for them.

4. Ensure Proper Placement of the Wheat Bag

Lastly, you want to ensure proper placement of the wheat bag, so that your dog can reap it’s full benefits.

By this we mean, make sure that you place the wheat bag on large areas of your dog’s body, such as their back or hips, where they’re less likely to move or knock it off.

It’s also highly recommended to avoid placing the wheat bag directly on areas with cuts, bruises, or inflammation unless advised to do so by your vet.

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We hope this blog has answered your questions about using wheat bags with your dog and provided helpful insights into their safety and benefits.

And for more top tips and insights from our experts, check out our regularly updated anxious dog blog.