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Dogs are famous for eating almost anything and everything! They’re curious about the world around them and may try to eat something to see what it is. Is that food? If not, then the dog may spit it out. However, if it’s something that smells and tastes good, the dog may eat it! That’s not always a good thing, such as when a dog eats the crotch of underwear.
Has your dog eaten the crotch of underwear? Are you worried the crotch of underwear 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 put together some information about why a dog might eat the crotch of underwear and whether this can make him sick. Let’s get started!
Why Do Dogs Eat the Crotch from Underwear?
Underwear are very personal pieces of clothing for us. And nothing is worse than when our fur babies decide to pull a pair of used underwear out of the hamper and chew out the crotch! So why do they do this?
Keep in mind that the human body has sweat glands in that area and produces pheromones. These smells are extremely attractive to dogs. It’s these types of smells that dogs look for when sniffing one another! So, it could be your used underwear somehow smelled enticing to your dog.
Dogs eat things for other reasons, too. For instance, they may be bored and looking for something to do. A smart dog also realizes that chewing up something of yours will gain him attention. Sure, it’s negative attention. But if a dog is feeling lonely, he will do anything to gain your attention, even eat your underwear!
Some dogs may even see their pet parents’ underwear as something valuable. After all, they smell like you! You are your dog’s best treasure. So, he may guard your used underwear because they’re a part of you.
But what happens if a dog eats the crotch of underwear? Can the crotch of underwear make a dog sick?
Crotch of Underwear & Dogs
Unfortunately, a dog eating the crotch of underwear can become sick. The main reason is that a dog’s stomach has not been designed to digest fabric. So, the fabric passes through the digestive tract. In some cases, the dog’s body will try to expel the fabric through the dog’s poop. This is a good thing!
However, the fabric may bunch up in other cases and cause an intestinal blockage anywhere in the dog’s digestive tract.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Intestinal Blockage in Dogs
You may notice these symptoms if your dog has eaten crotch of underwear:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain & swelling
- Lethargy
If your dog shows any of these symptoms, call the vet immediately. This is an emergency. If an intestinal blockage is not treated, it can become life-threatening.
The good news is that dogs who receive prompt medical care will make a full recovery. And if your dog has a penchant for underwear, you may want to consider purchasing a dog-proof hamper!
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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