Bottle caps come in plastic and metal, depending on the type of beverage they’re from. Does your dog ever seem very interested in bottle caps? Does he try to play with bottle caps? If so, there’s something you need to know!
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Bottle Caps Can be Dangerous
You may be wondering what could happen if your dog eats a bottle cap. So, we’ve gathered some information about what can go wrong if a dog swallows a plastic or metal bottle cap.
Bottle caps of any type—plastic or metal—can be dangerous is swallowed. Either type of bottle cap can just pass on through a dog’s digestive system, and then come out in the dog’s poop.
However, bottle caps can still pose a choking hazard or could become stuck in a dog’s intestines, causing an intestinal obstruction.
Bottle caps can also cause these issues if eaten by a dog:
Intestinal blockage: an intestinal blockage can be a serious, life-threatening condition if not treated right away. The cap could partially or completely block your dog’s intestines, preventing water and food from passing through your dog’s digestive tract.
Digestive tract damage: bottle caps can be pretty rough and could damage the lining of the digestive tract.
Infection: eating a bottle cap could also cause an infection in your fur baby. For instance, the cap may have been embedded in another animal’s poo. Poo is known to carry bacteria and other organisms that can make a dog sick.
Do Not Induce Vomiting
Do not induce vomiting unless this action is recommended by your vet. The bottle cap could cause some serious damage to your dog’s digestive tract or esophagus on the way back out.
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Ask a Vet Live NowWhat to Do if Your Dog Swallows a Bottle Cap
The best thing to do is call the vet and let them know exactly what’s happened. Be sure to tell the vet if the bottle cap was plastic or metal. The vet may ask you to bring in the dog for an exam.
The exam may include a physical exam, lab work and imaging, such as x-rays. X-rays will be able to show where the bottle cap is located inside your dog.
If the bottle cap was swallowed in the past hour or so, the vet may be able to retrieve the object using an endoscope.
However, the vet may find the object has already passed into the intestines. In that case, they may recommend that your fur baby stay in the hospital so they can track the bottle cap. The vet may be able to do this with the use of a barium swallow, which helps the vet see where the bottle cap is.
If the bottle cap is moving and eventually comes out, then you’ll be able to bring your fur baby home. However, if the bottle cap becomes stuck, then the vet will need to have surgery to get the object out before it can cause some real damage.
Keep Your Dog from Eating Bottle Caps
Eating a bottle cap can be very dangerous for your dog and cause some serious medical problems. Here are some tips we’ve put together to keep your fur baby from eating bottle caps in the future:
- Properly dispose of bottle caps after opening a bottle. Keep bottle caps in a secure trash can or recycling bin that your dog can’t access.
- Store all used bottles out of your dog’s reach, such as in a high cabinet your fur baby can’t reach.
- Ensure your dog has safe chew toys to soothe his urger to chew.
- Teach your dog the “leave it” or “drop it” command to keep him from picking bottle caps up.
- Invest in a dog-proof wastebasket to keep your fur baby out of the trash.
The Key is to Act Quickly
Once your dog has swallowed a bottle cap, the key is to quickly act. This means calling the vet and alerting them to what’s happened, then asking for their advice. Never induce vomiting, as this can cause worse problems for your dog. Only take this step if the vet recommends it.
With quick action, you can keep your dog from develop an intestinal blockage, which is a life-threatening medical emergency. So, quick action is the key to keeping your dog safe if he swallows any type of bottle cap.
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Kyoko
Kyoko is from a family of 3 and moved to New York with her parents and siblings when she was 13. Kyoko is fond of spending a great amount of time with pets, specifically her beagle Luna and cat Missy. Her boyfriend often complains that she spends too much time giving attention to their animals. Kyoko has written dozens of articles concerning pets and is aiming at owning a pet shop one day!
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