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Yuck! Why on earth would a dog eat garbage? Well, there are several reasons. The major reason a dog eats trash is that something smells like food to him. This is a common problem, and we’re pretty sure if you have a dog, you’ll encounter this problem at some point. But can eating garbage make a dog sick?
Has your dog eaten garbage? Are you worried the garbage 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 (and gross, too!).
We’ve put together information about garbage and whether it can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!
Why Do Dogs Eat Garbage?
When dogs smell food or blood, they’re attracted to whatever it is. This can include anything you put in the garbage, including panty liners, tampons, food scraps, food that’s gone bad, and more. And if food is spoiled, it could make a dog sick.
However, if your dog finds chocolate, onions, garlic, and other items toxic to dogs, he could also become sick from eating them.
Garbage & Dogs
When dogs eat garbage, they can easily develop a condition called garbage toxicosis (or garbage gut). This condition is caused by a dog eating trash or garbage that contains bacteria and/or toxic substances. This may include old chicken carcasses, spoiled food, and more.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Garbage Toxicosis in Dogs
You may notice these symptoms if your dog has eaten garbage:
- Diarrhea (may be watery or contain blood)
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain & swelling
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- High body temperature
- Panting
- Dehydration
- Gassiness
- Weakness
- Shock (cold limbs, weak pulse, inactivity, respiratory failure)
- Seizures (rare)
- Death (rare)
If your dog develops any of these symptoms after eating garbage, call the vet right away. This is an emergency.
Treatment of Garbage Toxicosis in Dogs
Treatment of garbage toxicosis depends on the dog’s symptoms. If the vet suspects your dog has eaten something toxic, they may treat this by inducing vomiting and activated charcoal. In some cases, your dog may also require an IV for fluids and to administer medications.
The vet will monitor your dog and treat any symptoms as they arise. Your fur baby may also need to spend a day or two in the hospital, depending on the severity of his symptoms.
The prognosis is best for dogs who receive prompt medical treatment. And if your dog regularly eats garbage, you may want to consider investing in a dog-proof wastebasket. We always say prevention is the best medicine!
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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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