Do you enjoy a glass of wine every once in a while? Many of us do! But are you careful about where you put the cork after removing it from the bottle?
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Dogs are incredibly curious about everything in their home and outside. Sometimes they may pick up a new object, and then try to figure out if it’s a toy or something to eat.
It can be hard for dogs to tell sometimes, especially if this new object happens to smell good to them. To some dogs, a wine cork may smell like something pretty yummy. Then down the hatch the cork goes!
Are Wine Corks Safe for Dogs?
What happens if your dog swallows a cork? The main problem is that cork doesn’t digest, even if it’s been chewed up a bit. If the cork is chewed into very small pieces, and we mean very small, then the cork will probably pass on through your fur baby’s digestive tract.
However, if the cork was still mainly whole when it went down, then there’s a problem.
What If My Dog Ate the Whole Cork?
There are two problems that could happen if your dog ate the entire cork:
1). Cork could expand: if the bottle stopper was made from real cork, the liquids in his stomach and digestive tract could cause the cork to expand.
2). Intestinal blockage: if the cork expands, or even if it does, there’s a very high probability it will cause an intestinal blockage. This is a serious medical emergency, which left untreated can lead to death.
Some pet parents are tempted to induce vomiting if their dog ate a foreign object. However, you should only do this if the vet recommends that you do so. Otherwise, you could do more harm.
If your dog happened to chew the cork to bits, then he may vomit most of the chunks up. This can happen, especially in dogs that have a more sensitive stomach. That would be a good thing, but the best thing is to go ahead and call the vet and see what they recommend.
So, whether you know for sure, or not, that your canine companion has eaten a cork, call the vet immediately. When you get there, the vet will examine your dog, ask you questions related to your dog’s health, and then run lab work, including x-rays.
If the cork was eaten recently, then the vet may be able to induce vomiting or do a procedure in-office to remove the cork. On the other hand, if x-rays show the cork has passed through into the intestines, then your fur baby will probably need surgery. If caught and treated quickly, most dogs go on to a full and complete recovery!
For these reasons, make sure to keep all wine corks where your dog can’t get them! You’ll both be better off for it!
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. No waiting for appointments or office hours. No high fees. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Julie
Julie is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, where she studied Animal science. Though contrary to the opinion of her parents she was meant to study pharmacy, but she was in love with animals especially cats. Julie currently works in an animal research institute (NGO) in California and loves spending quality time with her little cat. She has the passion for making research about animals, how they survive, their way of life among others and publishes it. Julie is also happily married with two kids.
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