My Dog Ate Kinetic Sand What Should I Do?

Kinetic sand has become a popular plaything for children, making it something that’s available in many homes. However, if you have a dog (or small children), then you’ll need to keep them away from this fun moldable sand.

What is Kinetic Sand?

Kinetic sand is simply regular sand that’s been coated in silicone oil. This is an oil that’s often used to provide lubrication; however, when it’s applied to sand, the sand will be moldable, like when it’s wet with water. The oil keeps the sand from drying out, making this a fun toy for kids!

However, if a dog gets a hold of kinetic sand, it can lead to a serious medical complication.

How is Kinetic Sand Dangerous to Dogs?

Thankfully the sand and the silicone oil are not toxic, which is why this is a safe toy for older children. The problem comes if the sand is eaten in large amounts. For instance, if your fur baby chows down on a bunch of this stuff, he could end up with a bowel obstruction.

The problem is that the sand, after being eaten, will stay in the dog’s intestines. When the bowel tries to empty, the sand simply remolds itself, which makes it impossible for the dog to get out of his system. This creates a blockage in the intestines.

Symptoms of an Intestinal Blockage

These are the symptoms that can develop after your dog eats kinetic sand:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain/swollen abdomen
• Constipation
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Dehydration

This is a very serious condition that must be treated by the vet as soon as possible.

What to Do If Your Dog Eats Kinetic Sand

First, try to determine how much of the sand your dog has eaten. The vet will need this information. Next, call the vet and let them know what’s happened. In most cases, they will want you to bring your canine companion to be checked.

The vet will perform a physical exam and may order lab work and possibly x-rays. After conducting a physical exam and x-rays, the vet may decide to induce vomiting. Never do this at home on your own, unless advised to do so by the vet. However, if the sand has already passed into your dog’s intestines, then the vet may choose to perform surgery.

In most cases, your dog will recover from the surgery just fine. Even so, it’s best to keep kinetic sand where your dog (and small kids) are not able to get at it.