What to Do in Case Your Dog Eats Something That They Should Not?

If you are a dog parent, you must have faced situations where your dog ended up eating something they were not supposed to. You may find traces of such prohibited substances in the trash, underneath your kitchen table, or in a place where your little one can sneak into.

No matter where you do, finding such scraps unsettles you for sure as a dog parent. So, what do you do when your little one consumes something that could be potentially dangerous for them? This is why we have devised some steps you can adhere to in these situations.

It is also essential in these cases to know the foods you need to keep out of the reach of your naughty one.

Ways to deal with your dog swallowing food or substance that could be toxic for them       

No dog parent thinks their dear darling would eat something – food or substance – that they are not supposed to. However, if you ever realize that they have done so, it could create panic in you. One of the best ways you can help your dog in these cases is by being prepared and acting quickly.

Read Also: 8 Most Poisonous Foods For Dogs

Remove all the remains from your dog

This is the first thing that you need to do in these cases. Take away any harmful food or object your dog may still be trying to eat and remove your dog from that area.

Depending on what your dog has eaten, the more it eats, the worse it would feel. Look out for items such as plastics, packaging materials, or wrappers your dog has eaten or stashed away underneath furniture such as a table for future use.

If you can find out how much of the harmful substance or food your dog has eaten, it would be handy to talk to your veterinarian about the incident. If you can save a sample of the material, please do so.

Look for signs that your dog may have indeed eaten something poisonous

Now that you have ended your dog’s eating adventure, it is time to check if what they ate was poisonous. How your dog reacts to a toxic substance would depend on what they have eaten.

However, some tell-tale signs typically help you know if you should be alarmed or not. They may be enumerated as below:

• gagging or vomiting
• coughing
• shaking
• changes in their normal behavior such as lack of appetite
• trouble in breathing
• constipation or diarrhea

Kindly note that some of these effects may take around 6-12 hours to manifest after your dog did the deed. So, keep an eye on them for signs of illness throughout the day. In the meantime, you can do something else to keep your baby safe: get in touch with their doctor.

Calling the doctor

A veterinary doctor is the best person to get in touch with when you are worried about something poisonous that your dog may have eaten.

At the doctor’s office, you would be asked a wide range of questions regarding the mishap so that they can give you the best advice to deal with the situation. There are some pieces of information that you have to share in these cases. They may be enumerated as below:

• The age, weight, and breed of your dog
• The item or food that was eaten
• The time at which the incident happened
• The amount of food or substance that your dog ate
• Strange behavior such as shaking or pacing

If the vet’s office is closed, they would suggest an emergency vet in the area. If there is no such doctor in your area, you must look for an emergency pet hospital and contact them over the phone. If you cannot take your dog to the hospital in such a case, you can get in touch with entities that provide such services for a fee. So, keep your credit card handy!

Substances and foods that your dog needs to avoid

Prevention is better than cure – this adage is as old as time. This is something that you must do too to ensure that your dog never eats something that is off limits for them.

Always make sure that anything that has the potential to harm your dog is kept out of their reach. You must also be aware of the items that can harm your dog.

Following are the foods that you should never feed your dog:

• chocolate
• milk
• grapes and raisins
• macadamia nuts
• garlic
• onions
• avocado
• yeast dough
• apple cores
• Xylitol, often found in candies and gums
• caffeine
• alcohol
• salt
• pits of plums and peaches
• cleaning products
• human medicines and vitamins

Conclusion

As a responsible dog parent, you must always prioritize the health and overall safety of your little one. It is rather usual for dogs to be curious on occasions.

This is where your knowledge of substances that can be harmful to your dog and the measures you can take to prevent them from consuming them is so necessary. It would go a long way in ensuring that your fur-ball is always healthy and safe.