Has your dog just eaten some aluminum foil? Did he actually swallow some foil when grabbing for a tasty morsel? If so, then you’ve come to the right place!
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Why on earth would a dog eat foil? There are many reasons, but if there was some tasty food your dog loves wrapped in the foil, that’s probably why he ate it. He didn’t want the foil, but the food inside!
Is Foil Toxic to Dogs?
Foil is not usually a problem for dogs; however, whatever was in the foil could cause a problem for your fur baby. In addition, if the foil was crumpled up, this could also pose a health issue for your dog.
If your dog just ate a small piece of foil, chances are that he’ll poop it out in a few days. It can take several days before it comes out.
Foil & Health Issues in Dogs
Here are some issues your dog could experience after eating foil:
- Choking or intestinal obstruction: if the foil was crumpled, then it could cause some issues for your dog. These can include choking, if the wad of foil was too large and becomes stuck in his throat. The other issue is that the aluminum foil can become lodged in your dog’s intestines, causing a bowel obstruction. This can be a serious health emergency.
- Foil covered in fat or other ingredients: if the foil was covered in fat, chocolate or other ingredients, these could make your fur baby sick.
- Foil can be sharp: the crumpled foil may have sharp edges that can cut your dog’s mouth or esophagus or puncture his intestines.
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Ask a Vet Live NowWhat to Do if Your Dog Swallowed Foil
The first thing is to stay calm and not panic, as in most cases the foil will pass through your dog’s digestive system with no problem. Just check your fur baby’s poo every day to make sure the foil passes. If it does pass, you should still watch for any signs that he’s having a problem.
You can watch for these signs and symptoms he’s having some trouble after swallowing the foil:
- Vomiting
- Pain or distress
- Panic, excitability
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Depression
- Bloating
If your canine companion shows any of these signs and symptoms, even if the foil has passed, then be sure to call the vet as soon as possible.
Let the vet know your fur baby has eaten foil, how much he may have eaten, and if any foil has passed through his digestive tract.
The vet may run some tests including blood test, x-rays to see where the foil is, etc. If the vet believes your dog is suffering from a toxin, they may prescribe activated charcoal to help keep the substance from being absorbed. They may also recommend laxatives to help the foil pass. If these measures don’t work, your fur baby may require surgery.
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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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