Dogs who eat things they’re not supposed to…and the owners who love them

by Dr. Melissa Claus, DVM, DACVECC

Do you have a dog that eats anything and everything that’s not bolted to the ground? Does your dog eat moldy trash for breakfast, stuffed chew toys for lunch, and cat poop for dinner? If so, you may be wondering if this behavior is dangerous.

Eating inappropriate things is something we vets call “dietary indiscretion”. If your dog ate something that was gross, but completely digestible, he may never have any signs of illness. Some dogs will develop mild gastrointestinal signs, like vomiting once or twice and a day or two of diarrhea. Some dogs will have more severe vomiting, a poor appetite, lethargic behavior, and maybe even bloody diarrhea. If your dog is showing more severe signs, and especially if he is unable to hold down any water he drinks, you should visit your veterinarian immediately, as he is at risk for becoming dehydrated. If your dog seems otherwise normal – normal activity and appetite – you can monitor him at home. It would be best to not offer him any food until it has been a full 12 hours since his last vomiting episode. Always have water or Pedialyte available for him to drink. When you start to feed him, give him small meals of something that is easily digested, like boiled chicken breast or cottage cheese and boiled white rice. Slowly transition him back on to his normal food after 24 hours as long as he is doing well. If he continues to vomit beyond 24 hours, he should be seen by your veterinarian.

Some dogs eat things that are not digestible, like toys, laundry, rocks, corn cobs, and tampons. These dogs are at a much higher risk for requiring emergency veterinary intervention as these non-digestible items are likely to cause an intestinal obstruction. Signs of intestinal blockage often include lethargy, frequent vomiting, absent bowel movements, and poor appetite. If your dog is showing these signs, he should be taken to your veterinarian for evaluation. Rarely, a foreign body can be palpated within the intestinal loops during a physical examination. More often, imaging of the abdomen is required. Radiographs of the abdomen are usually the first test performed to look for changes in the size of the intestinal loops. Loops that are obstructed will become dilated with fluid and gas. Sometimes the dog is fed barium, a liquid that shows up bright white on radiographs. Taking multiple radiographs after barium is fed will allow us to determine if the barium is moving through the intestines or if it is prevented from moving through due to an obstruction. Another method of imaging is an abdominal ultrasound. This method can be very useful to look for dilated intestinal loops and foreign objects. If your dog is determined to have an obstructing foreign body, emergency exploratory surgery will need to be performed to remove the foreign body and relieve the obstruction.

Remember: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! If your dog is a chow hound who has a tendency to eat everything in sight, it is ideal for you to dog-proof your house and yard as thoroughly as possible. Keep laundry, garbage, and easily destroyed toys far away from your eating machine to provide him the best chance of enjoying an exploratory surgery-free life!