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When you have a dog, dog toys are essential to keep him happy and mentally stimulated! One favorite toy of dogs is a stuffed animal that squeaks. Dogs love these toys! Stuffed animals come in a wide range of colors and shapes; however, they all have one thing in common. They contain stuffing! And sometimes, dogs may even tear the stuffed animal apart and eat the stuffing. But what happens if a dog eats animal stuffing?
Has your dog eaten animal stuffing? Are you worried the animal stuffing will make your dog sick? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your dog eats something like this.
We’ve gathered information about animal stuffing and whether it can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!
What is Animal Stuffing?
Animal stuffing in most stuffed dog toys is polyester fiber fill. Polyester is a synthetic polymer that’s used to make textile fibers or fiber fill. In the case of polyester fiber fill, the fibers are “fluffed” up to create a soft fluff material used to fill dog toys.
Animal stuffing is considered safe for dogs; however, it can cause problems if a dog eats it.
Animal Stuffing & Dogs
Unfortunately, animal stuffing can be dangerous for dogs if they eat it. If a dog eats only a small bit of stuffing, chances are he will be OK. The stuffing will eventually come out in his poop.
However, dogs that eat a large amount of stuffing could develop a condition called intestinal obstruction. This happens when a large amount of animal stuffing is eaten and becomes lodged anywhere in the dog’s digestive system. Intestinal obstruction can be dangerous if it’s left untreated.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Animal Stuffing Ingestion in Dogs
You may notice these symptoms if your dog has eaten animal stuffing:
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Weakness
- Abdominal pain & swelling
- Restlessness
If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, call the vet immediately. This is an emergency.
Treatment of Animal Stuffing Ingestion in Dogs
The vet may run x-rays to see if your dog has an intestinal blockage from the animal stuffing. If so, your fur baby may require surgery. The surgery is done to remove the blockage and repair any damage it may have caused.
The prognosis is best for dogs who receive prompt treatment after eating animal stuffing. In the future, it may be a good idea to buy dog toys that are made without stuffing. You’ll both be happier for it!
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
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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