My Dog Ate Jeans Will He Get Sick?

Dogs eat the strangest the things! Have you ever had a favorite pair of jeans, only to find that your dog has eaten some of the denim? If so, you’re not alone! This seems to be a common problem that many pet parents have with their fur babies!

Why Do Dogs Eat Jeans?

That’s a good question. Dogs are generally scent-driven. It could be your jeans had some meat juice dripped on them from that great burger you had for supper. Or they smelled like you. Dogs may sometimes develop a taste for sweaty socks, dirty jeans, and more.

Other times dogs may suffer from a condition called pica. Pica is a health issue that causes dogs (and humans) to eat non-food items such as dirt, wood, paper, rocks, and more. Dogs with this condition will literally eat anything.

Pica can be caused by an underlying medical condition, such as parasites, lack of nutrients, and more. However, it can also be caused if a dog suffers from a behavioral or psychological issue such as separation anxiety.

The Problem with Jeans

When it comes to eating jeans, if your dog has eaten a very small bit of fabric, he should be OK. The chances are good that the fabric will pass through your fur baby’s digestive tract and come out in his poop in a few days.

However, if your dog has eaten a large piece of denim, he could be in danger of developing an intestinal blockage. This can be caused if the jeans become lodged somewhere in your dog’s digestive system. And this can be a life-threatening medical emergency.

Symptoms of an Intestinal Blockage in Dogs

You may notice these symptoms if your dog develops an intestinal blockage:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Weakness
• Loss of appetite
• Bloating
• Abdominal pain/swelling

If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, then call the vet immediately. This could be a medical emergency.

Note: if you notice thread or fabric coming from your dog’s anus, do not pull it! This could cause serious internal injuries to your dog.

Treatment of Intestinal Blockage in Dogs

At the vet, they will perform a physical exam and run lab work. They will also order x-rays or other imaging to see where the denim is caught in your dog’s digestive tract.

If the fabric is still in your dog’s stomach, the vet may perform an endoscopic procedure to remove the cloth. Otherwise, if the fabric is causing a blockage in the intestines, your fur baby will require surgery.

In most cases, the prognosis is very good for dogs that receive fast medical care for this condition.

Once your fur baby has recovered, be sure to keep all clothing away from him. This can be difficult, especially if the dog is compelled to eat fabric. If this happens, then it’s time to call the vet. They will check to see if there are any underlying medical conditions, such as parasites, causing this behavior.