My Dog Ate Lump Charcoal What Should I Do?

Dogs will eat the strangest things sometimes! Has your dog eaten lump charcoal? Are you worried lump charcoal will make your dog sick? We understand it’s scary when dogs eat things they shouldn’t! Especially something like charcoal.

Why Would a Dog Eat Charcoal?

The main reason a dog would eat charcoal is that it could have food drippings on it. Remember that steak you grilled last night? Well, some of the meat juices dripped down on the coals. When they cool, the coals may still have the smell of meat drippings on them. This could be what caused your dog to eat the lump charcoal.

Any food that’s cooked on the grill and leaves drippings could draw your dog’s nose! Dogs can’t help it when something smells like food; they want to eat it.

But can lump charcoal make your dog sick?

Lump Charcoal & Dogs

The good news is that the lump charcoal isn’t toxic to your dog. That may come as a surprise! However, if he ate a large quantity of lump charcoal, it is possible he could get sick. However, if your dog has eaten a very small piece of charcoal, chances are he will be OK>

One of the concerns is that the charcoal will not digest. If it remains whole, then there’s the possibility it could cause a blockage in your dog’s digestive tract. This could happen anywhere from his stomach to his intestines.

Another worry is that the charcoal could have been doused with lighter fluid. Lighter fluid is toxic to dogs and can lead to kidney problems. If you believe the lump charcoal had lighter fluid on it, then call the vet immediately.

One more concern is that if the charcoal was drenched in fats, then this could cause pancreatitis.

Symptoms to Watch For

You may notice these symptoms if your dog has eaten lump charcoal:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Lethargy
• Lack of appetite
• Swollen, painful abdomen
• Excessive urination
• Drinking lots of water (more than normal)

These symptoms may indicate your dog has a blocked digestive tract. So, in this case, it’s best to call the vet immediately. A blocked digestive tract can lead to death if left untreated.

If your canine companion has developed a blocked intestine, then your dog may require emergency surgery to remove it safely.

In most cases, a dog that receives prompt medical care will make a complete recovery.