You’d be surprised at the things that dogs choose to eat or chew on! Has your dog ever chewed on or eaten an eraser? If so, then you’re not alone!
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Some dogs mistake erasers for a chew toy. That’s easy enough to do. The eraser is rubbery like a chew toy but doesn’t include a bell or squeaky noise maker inside. You can’t blame your fur baby for the mistake.
What are Erasers Made of?
Most erasers are made from synthetic rubber, but they can also be made of plastic, vinyl, or another gummy material. These are definitely not digestible materials; however, they are not toxic, and most can pass through the digestive system without causing any problems.
You may even notice bits of undigested eraser within 24 hours of your dog eating it. If you see this, that’s great news! It mostly likely indicates everything will be OK. However, if the eraser or parts of the eraser don’t come out after about three days, then your fur baby will need to be checked by the vet.
Small Dogs vs Large Dogs & Erasers
There can be a difference between a small dog or a large dog swallowing an eraser. If the pieces are small, and your small fur baby has eaten the pieces, there’s a chance the eraser could cause a bowel obstruction. The same pieces, eaten by a larger dog, probably will just pass on through with no problem.
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Ask a Vet Live NowEraser – Chocking Hazard
Another possible issue for large or small dogs is that the eraser could be come stuck in their throat. In this case, your fur baby will have trouble breathing. He may show symptoms such as gagging, etc. This is a life-threatening medical condition. Call the vet ASAP.
A dog’s digestive tract is not able to digest and absorb an eraser. In most cases, the eraser will pass through your fur baby’s digestive tract without any problems.
What If My Dog Ate a Pencil and Its Eraser?
The eraser is small and should pass harmlessly through your dog’s system. However, the pencil could cause a problem. If your dog chewed or broke the pencil before swallowing it, the pencil could have sharp edges that could cause tears in the digestive tract or become lodged anywhere in his system.
What Should I Do If My Dog Ate an Eraser?
It all depends on how your dog’s symptoms. Is he acting normal? Is he eating normally? If so, he’s probably doing OK. Continue to monitor him for any symptoms that may indicate a problem.
On the other hand, if your fur baby shows any of the symptoms below, call the vet immediately. He could have a more serious issue.
Any of these symptoms alone or in combination can indicate your fur baby has intestinal blockage. This condition requires prompt medical treatment. Intestinal blockage can be a life-threatening condition, so do not wait to see if your dog’s symptoms improve or worsen. Call the vet immediately.
Signs of an Intestinal Blockage
You’ll need to watch for these signs and symptoms of an intestinal blockage, if the eraser hasn’t passed through your fur baby’s digestive tract within a day or so:
- Vomiting
- Weakness, lethargy
- Abdominal pain, and possibly swelling
- Loss of appetite
- Dehydration
- Bloating
If your pup is having any of these symptoms, or others that are causing you to worry, then be sure to call the vet immediately. An intestinal blockage can be a life-threatening issue, which may require surgery to remove the eraser or erasers parts.
In most cases your fur baby should be OK, as long as he’s not choking or gagging. This indicates the eraser has passed on through. Just watch for the eraser to come out sometime in the next 24 hours. If it doesn’t, then it’s a good idea to call the vet and get their advice.
Prevent Eraser Ingestion
Does your dog love to eat erasers and other non-food items? If so, it’s a good idea to talk with your vet about this issue. Your dog could have an underlying health or behavioral issue that needs to be treated.
One common condition a dog may have is pica. Pica causes a dog to eat non-food items, such as erasers, metal, cloth, plastic, garbage, paper, rocks, dirt, and poop. The condition causes compulsive ingestion of non-food items and can lead to other health conditions, such as ulcers and irritation of the digestive tract, along with intestinal obstruction.
Pica can be caused by illness, parasites, a nutritional deficiency, or a behavioral issue (such as boredom, depression, anxiety, or extreme hunger).
So, it’s essential to speak to your vet if your dog regularly eats non-food items. Treatment and training can stop this health issue and help your dog lead a healthier life.
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Tom
Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!
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