Is calamine lotion harmful to dogs?

If consumed, calamine lotion can be harmful for dogs, according to veterinarian Dr. Marie Haynes. Calamine lotion applied to a dog's itchy skin is easily licked off, and if consumed repeatedly, can be toxic for dogs.

Dr. Haynes explains that while licking a small amount of calamine lotion off the skin is unlikely to harm dogs, if reapplied and licked off again, the medication can build up in their systems to toxic levels. Calamine has high levels of zinc as well as an acid compound similar to acid in aspirin, which can lead to internal bleeding and even death for dogs or cats that consume it, states the American Humane Association.