Has your dog eaten paper? Then you’ve come to the right place! First, know this is a common occurrence. With paper products around us everywhere, it’s quite easy for a dog to get a hold of some paper and eat it.
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Why Do Dogs Eat Paper?
Dogs may accidentally ingest paper if there’s a tasty tidbit wrapped in it. For instance, if you just microwaved some bacon on paper towels, your fur baby may try to grab the paper out of the trash because it smells like bacon! Yum!
Medical conditions can also be at the root of dogs eating paper. These can include nutritional deficiencies, hunger, endocrine disorders and even diabetes.
Another cause of dogs eating strange things is a behavioral issue known as pica. Dogs with this condition are somehow driven to eat objects that are not food. This can include metal, plastic and even paper. This condition is usually caused by a psychological issue, such as boredom, stress, anxiety, etc.
Regardless of the cause, let’s take a look at what to do if your dog eats paper.
My Dog Ate Paper – What to Do
If your dog’s eaten only a little bit of paper, chances are that it will mostly likely just pass through. Be sure to check your fur baby’s pooh to see if the paper comes out. You should also watch for signs of intestinal blockage, especially if he’s eaten a large amount of paper. Watch for these signs & symptoms:
- Constipation
- Lethargy
- Blood in the stool
- Lack of appetite
- Abdominal pain or swelling
Call the vet right away if you notice your dog has any of these signs & symptoms, because an intestinal blockage can be life threatening.
If your fur baby has eaten a diaper, feminine products, etc. these can be more dangerous than just regular paper. These are made of highly absorbent materials, which soak up water. They could lead to a blocked intestine, too.
If you have any concerns or your fur baby’s showing any worrying symptoms, then be sure to call the vet right away. Let them know what you believe your dog ate and how much, as this information will guide the vet on treatment options and whether or not your fur baby needs to see the vet.
We’d like to wish you and your fur baby well and hope that everything ends up OK if he’s eaten some paper.
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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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