My Dog Ate a Rubber Band or Ball What Should I Do?

Dogs are known for their curious natures! They are curious about many things they encounter around the house, in the yard, or even while on a walk! A dog may even be curious about something as simple as a rubber band lying on the floor!

Another common thing many dogs enjoy playing around with is a rubber ball. In fact, some love to chew on these balls, with some dogs even eating some or all of a rubber ball.

My Dog Swallowed a Rubber Band—Now What?

The answer could depend on how big your dog is and the size of the rubber band, and how many he ate. Rubber bands come in many sizes, and in small or large packages. It’s common to drop a rubber band, on the floor and never find it, though your fur baby may eventually happen upon it!

For medium- to large-sized dogs, swallowing one small rubber band probably won’t cause a problem. The small rubber band will likely just pass through your fur baby’s digestive system with no problem.

However, if your dog is a smaller dog, then the rubber band could cause a choking hazard or even become lodged in his intestines, causing an intestinal blockage. This is a medical emergency, so you’ll need to call the vet immediately.

For larger dogs, if they eat a large number of rubber bands, this can also cause them to become ill and/or develop an intestinal blockage. The ball, or bits of the ball can also pose a choking hazard. Again, if you know the dog has eaten a lot of rubber bands, you’ll need to call the vet immediately, as the bands could cause an intestinal blockage.

My Dog Ate a Rubber Ball—Now What?

The rubber ball can pose a serious choking hazard or is another thing that can cause an intestinal blockage in dogs.

Another problem is that bits of the ball can stay in the dog’s stomach, leading to a condition called peritonitis, which is an infection of the abdomen.

Symptoms of Peritonitis in Dogs

This condition is not just a simple stomachache. If your fur baby has developed this condition, you may notice these symptoms:

• Rapid breathing
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Diarrhea
• Decreased pooping
• Black stools
• Unwillingness to lie down
• Painful abdomen

If you notice these symptoms in your dog, be sure to call the vet immediately to get their advice on how to proceed.

This condition is usually treated with antibiotics and medicine to reduce the inflammation. In some cases, surgery may be needed to remove whatever has caused the problem.

Intestinal Blockage Symptoms & Treatment

If your fur baby has these symptoms, he could have an intestinal blockage:

• Vomiting
• Retching
• Drooling excessively
• Loss of appetite
• Restlessness
• Bloated, painful abdomen
• Constipation or diarrhea

This condition is usually treated with surgery and may require your dog to stay in the hospital for a few days afterwards.

Swallowing foreign objects, including rubber balls or rubber bands, can pose a serious health issue for your dog. If your dog swallows a small rubber band or just a small piece of a rubber ball, in most cases he’ll be just fine. But if you notice the symptoms of peritonitis or an intestinal blockage, please call the vet immediately. Your fur baby needs fast treatment, which may even save his life.