Chances are if you have small kids or grandkids, that you have some crayons laying around the house. These are extremely popular with kids for coloring and drawing. They come in a wide array of colors, making them fun drawing tools for adults.
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You’ve read the headline and are probably thinking the same thing we did. Will my dog poop out a rainbow after eating crayons? Well, that’s a funny thought! We don’t blame you for finding this topic humorous. But we can assure you that your fur baby won’t poop out a rainbow. However, if your dog ate a crayon, he may develop some medical issues.
Are Crayons Toxic to Dogs?
Crayons are usually made of paraffin wax and includes various pigments. These substances are not toxic to dogs. However, they may cause your fur baby to feel badly if he’s eaten some.
Symptoms Your Dog Has Eaten a Crayon
Your fur baby may show these symptoms after eating one or more crayons:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Gagging
- Excess salivating
- Loss of appetite
- Gas
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain and bloating
- Lethargy
- Lack of appetite
If your fur baby has chewed up and swallowed a couple of crayons or swallowed only a small part of a crayon, chances are he’ll be OK. The crayon pieces may just go through this digestive tract and come out the other end.
However, if one or more crayons have been swallowed whole, these could present a serious problem such as:
1). Sometimes a crayon can become lodged in a dog’s throat, which can cause choking or even block his airways.
2). In other cases, the crayons could cause something called an intestinal blockage. This is where the swallowed item becomes lodged in your fur baby’s intestines, creating a blockage.
If your fur baby has either of these problems, consider this a medical emergency. You’ll need to call the vet ASAP.
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Ask a Vet Live NowDiagnosis & Treatment for Dog That Swallowed Crayon
The vet will perform a physical exam of your dog and ask questions such as when the incident occurred, how many crayons did your dog eat, did he chew them up or swallow them whole, etc. The vet may want to run some medical tests such as blood work and imaging. Images can show where the crayon is located and if it’s blocking your fur baby’s throat or intestines.
Treatment will depend on the vet’s exam. If your fur baby has a crayon lodged in his intestines, the vet may need to perform surgery to remove the object. If the crayon is caught in your pup’s throat, the vet may be able to remove it with special tools designed for this purpose.
Prompt treatment could save your dog’s life. We hope this never happens to your fur baby and would like to wish you both well!
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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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