You’d be surprised at how many people ask this question. It seems this is a common issue with pet parents, and it can be an adult or a puppy that’s decided to swallow a condom. Don’t be embarrassed—it happens! While we can’t figure out why our pup would decide to swallow an object of this nature, it’s something dogs do on a regular basis. They may eat things for a variety of reasons, but they may have a condition known as pica.
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Pica is a common medical issue where a dog (or even humans) eat things that aren’t normally considered to be food. It can be caused by any of the following:
- Getting your attention (even misbehaving gets them some attention, after all)
- They’re stressed or bored
- They’re just curious
- Due to nutritional deficiencies
- Not getting enough to eat
To cope with this condition, it’s a good idea to make sure your fur baby has plenty of positive attention and love, gets plenty of exercise, and eats a nutritious dog food in amounts right for her size and weight.
Your dog may not have pica, but just was curious and dug in the trash to see what he could find. For some reason he chose the condom. It can happen as easily as that, for no other good reason!
What to Do If Your Dog Ate a Condom
If your fur baby swallowed the condom and it hasn’t come back out (via vomiting), then chances are it’s already passed into her intestines. In this case, you’ll need to watch for signs of intestinal blockage, which include:
- Painful abdomen
- Constipation
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
This can be a life-threatening emergency. So, if your dog is showing any of these signs and symptoms, call the vet immediately.
If all seems normal with your dog and he’s not showing any signs of stomach upset, etc., then chances are he’ll be OK. You’ll just need to monitor his outdoor potty trips to make sure he’s not constipated. As long as he’s passing stools, he should be OK.
It can take a few days to a week for the condom to pass, so it’s a good idea to keep an eye on your canine companion until the issue has resolved. You’ll know he’s safe when you see the condom in his pooh.
We hope this quick guide helps you and that your fur baby will be back to normal soon!
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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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