Dogs love to play with their own toys, and the toys of their cat siblings! The problem is that cat toys are sometimes smaller, which makes them easier for a dog to eat or swallow.
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Cat Toys and Dogs
Dogs love to play with cat toys! If you’re the pet parent of a dog and a cat, then you know how dogs and cats will play together, and with one another’s toys!
The problem with cats’ toys for dogs is that they are smaller and contain smaller pieces and parts. Think of the cat’s toy ball that contains a bell, for instance. The plastic of these toys is brittle, and the bell is made of metal. These could cause problem if swallowed by a dog.
Stuffed mice may also contain catnip. The problem isn’t with the catnip—this is harmless to dogs. However, the stuffed mice may also contain small plastic parts, bells, and more.
What Happens When a Dog Swallows a Cat Toy?
This could be a serious health issue, which could even lead to death if not treated. If a dog swallows a cat toy that is made of plastic that he’s chewed, the pieces could be sharp. The problem here is that the sharp ends of the plastic could cause a perforation somewhere in the digestive tract, or even become lodged within in the intestines, leading to an intestinal blockage.
When a dog swallows an entire toy, again, this could be a choking hazard. If the toy goes down OK, then the next issue is that it can become stuck within the intestines, causing an intestinal blockage.
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Ask a Vet Live NowWatch for These Symptoms
Here are the symptoms to watch for if your fur baby has eaten a cat toy:
- Choking/gagging (call the vet immediately)
- Difficulty breathing
- Vomiting
- Lack of appetite
- Constipation
- Lethargy
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Painful and/or swollen abdomen
If your fur baby is showing any signs of gastrointestinal problems, then call the vet immediately. These could be signs of a perforation or an intestinal blockage, or both. These are medical emergencies and need to be treated quickly.
What Should I Do If My Dog Ate a Cat Toy?
First, stay calm and don’t panic. Panicking may cause you to miss important signs or symptoms your dog is having. Your fur baby may also become panicky, which will not help him or you at all. So, stay calm.
Next, assess whether your dog swallowed the cat toy whole or whether he chewed it. You may not find any evidence either way, but if your canine companion chewed the toy up there may be small pieces of toy on the floor or in his mouth.
Now, determine what time this happened. Believe it or not, this information is essential for the vet. They can determine where the toy may be inside your dog’s digestive system with this information. For instance, if the toy was swallowed within the past 2 hours, chances are it may still be in your fur baby’s stomach. If so, the vet can easily remove the toy by an endoscopic procedure.
Next, call your vet immediately. They will be able to help you determine the next steps on how to help your dog.
If your canine companion isn’t showing any signs of a problem, then chances are he will be OK. Just keep an eye on him and call the vet at the earliest sign of a problem. Otherwise, check your dog’s poo to see if the cat toy and/or its parts have passed. It may take a few days for it to all pass through. And if you have any concerns, then please call your vet. They will have the best advice on what you should do next.
Prevent Your Dog Swallowing Cat Toys
One of the best ways to keep your dog from swallowing cat toys is to keep them out of his reach. This can be challenging; however, you may want to use baby gates to keep the cat’s toys in one room and your dog’s toys in another. If that’s impossible, try closing the door to your cat’s toys to keep your canine companion out.
You can also train your dog to “drop it” or “leave it” when he has something in his mouth. That way, you can keep him from eating things he shouldn’t.
Prevention is one of the best ways to keep your dog happy and healthy!
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Kim
Kim is a talented author, who loves animals especially dogs. She engaged in writing books and articles relating to animals a decade ago. Kim resides in Chicago with her husband and son. The family is the proud owner of a dog and a parrot (Jack and Lily). Kim wanted more than these two pets, but her husband put his foot down... She often visits elementary schools to talk to the kids about what she learned about pets and how they could learn from them.
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