Foreign body ingestion in pets—what to do

Dogs are known for some pretty quirky behaviors, and swallowing foreign objects is definitely one of them. If your pet has ever pooped out some panty hose unexpectedly or eaten a rock, you’ve either had a big vet bill or are wondering how to avoid one in the future.

Ingesting foreign bodies is common, and your dog has probably eaten something and passed it out without your notice at some point in his lifetime. When the foreign body is too big to pass on however, problems happen.

Signs your pet has ingested something he can’t pass

Perhaps you saw him swallow the rocks or eat that sock, but it’s also just as likely that you didn’t. If you notice:

• Vomiting

• Abdominal pain

• Dehydration

• Loss of appetite

• Lethargy

• Restlessness/pacing

It’s time to go and see a vet. These are all signs of a foreign body ingestion, but even if this isn’t what is causing the problem it still needs to be evaluated.

If you saw what your dog ingested, taking your dog to the vet before these signs occur is best for everyone. The vet can take an X-ray to evaluate how big the foreign object is, and whether it will be able to pass on its own. If it can’t pass on its own, emergency surgery will be required to remove it from the pet.

How to prevent foreign body ingestion

If your dog is determined to swallow random objects, it can be hard to keep them out of his mouth. You can help by keeping children’s toys and dirty laundry picked up, not tempting your dog by pouring cooking oil on rocks or gravel and crating your dog when not at home.

Christmas is an especially likely time for pets to swallow objects, so take care that wrapping is picked up as you go so the dog doesn’t choose to snack on some ribbon.

The trash should also be kept locked away so your pet can’t get into it and swallow random things in his hurry to get food. Empty it before going out if your dog is outside of a crate, and keep it locked behind a cupboard when you’re home. Dogs can be quick when it comes down to swallowing these objects.

If your pet tends to swallow things on walks, and is too quick to keep his head controlled, a properly fitting basket muzzle can be a good option. These muzzles allow your dog to pant and enjoy life normally, but don’t let large objects like rocks fit through.

Dogs are notorious for eating strange objects, but this can be managed with careful handling. If you know your dog loves to snack on rocks, socks, or other non-food items, taking preventative measures is the best thing you can do for his long term health and well-being. Surgery is never fun for your pet, and if it happens multiple times it can cause both financial strain on you and physical strain on your pet.

Taking care to avoid it and knowing the symptoms are the best things you can do for both you and your pet.