• Ask A Vet Online 24/7
  • Fitness
    • Mobility
    • Playing
    • Running
    • Weight
  • Health
    • Allergies
    • Digestive System
    • Diseases
    • Ears
    • Handicap
    • Nutrition
    • Parasites
    • Reproduction
    • Supplements
    • Urinary System
    • Vision
  • Care
    • Adoption
    • Bedding
    • Cleaning supplies
    • Kitten
    • Pet insurance
    • Puppy
    • Safety
    • Senior
  • Fun & Play
    • Gadgets
    • Games
    • Treats
  • Training
    • Manners
    • Obedience
    • Rehabilitation
  • Behavior
    • Psychology
    • Travel
  • Grooming
    • Bathing
    • Fur
    • Skin
    • Style
  • Login
  • Register
  • Share This Page
  • Search
  • Ask A Vet Online 24/7
  • Fitness
    • Mobility
    • Playing
    • Running
    • Weight
  • Health
    • Allergies
    • Digestive System
    • Diseases
    • Ears
    • Handicap
    • Nutrition
    • Parasites
    • Reproduction
    • Supplements
    • Urinary System
    • Vision
  • Care
    • Adoption
    • Bedding
    • Cleaning supplies
    • Kitten
    • Pet insurance
    • Puppy
    • Safety
    • Senior
  • Fun & Play
    • Gadgets
    • Games
    • Treats
  • Training
    • Manners
    • Obedience
    • Rehabilitation
  • Behavior
    • Psychology
    • Travel
  • Grooming
    • Bathing
    • Fur
    • Skin
    • Style
  • Home
  • Digestive System
  • My Dog Ate Q-tips What Should I Do?
Categories:
  • Digestive System
  • Health
  • Safety

My Dog Ate Q-tips What Should I Do?

Julie

March 18, 2020
Like 3
Categories:
  • Digestive System
  • Health
  • Safety
SHARE THIS PAGE

My Dog Ate Q-tips What Should I Do?

Just so you know, this post may contain affiliate links. This means if you make a purchase through links on this page, OurFitPets may collect a share of the sale or other compensation. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Does your dog enjoy eating things that he shouldn’t? If so, then he’s not alone. Dogs love to ingest things that aren’t even food, which is called dietary indiscretion. Your canine companion may go after anything from those yummy bits in the kitchen waste basket, a dead bird or mouse, or even a Q-tip!

Why dogs eat various non-food items is anyone’s guess. Sometimes they’re exploring their environment, and decide to mouth, smell and eat something. Other times they may be drawn by the pungent (gross to us) odor of a dirty diaper or other smelly garbage.

What Could Happen if My Dog Eats a Q-tip?

Check Price on Amazon

Q-tips are made of two separate parts: an applicator made from plastic or paper and two cotton buds on either end of the applicator. The cotton buds will be digested and will pass on through your dog’s digestive system.

A problem can develop from the applicator; it may become lodged in a dog’s intestines or even puncture the intestines. Either issue can lead to serious complications such as a perforation in the intestines or a bowel obstruction. Both of these can be serious, life-threatening health emergencies.

Another issue is what was on the Q-tip—if there was a toxic substance on one of the buds, this could cause a problem. Some medications can be toxic to dogs, for instance.

What to Do If Your Dog Eats a Q-tip

If your fur baby eats a Q-tip, don’t panic and don’t induce vomiting. Only induce vomiting if directed to do so by your veterinarian. This is because the Q-tip could become caught in your dog’s throat.

Next, if your dog’s eaten one Q-tip, then it will be important to monitor his behavior for the next 2-3 days. Watch for any signs or symptoms that he could be having difficulties. Symptoms can include:

  • Abdominal pain or swelling.
  • Lethargy
  • Lack of appetite
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation

Check Price on Amazon

If your fur baby shows any of the signs above, then you can feed your dog canned pumpkin (not canned pumpkin pie, as this contains ingredients that are harmful to dogs), white rice, boiled meat (such as chicken). The food will work to encapsulate the Q-tip and help your dog expel it via bowel movements.

If your fur baby’s still showing symptoms after 2-3 days, then be sure to call your vet right away. They will do an exam and possibly take images of your fur baby’s digestive tract to see where the Q-tip is and if it has caused any problems.

Treatment will depend on the symptoms and their severity, and the underlying cause of the symptoms.

If your canine companion has swallowed a Q-tip and you’re worried, then please call the vet right away. They will have the best advice for your fur baby every time. With early treatment, your dog should be just fine. We wish you both all the best!

(Visited 3,102 times, 8 visits today)
The contents of the OurFitPets.com website, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on this site (“Content”) are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinarian advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian with any questions you may have regarding the medical condition of your pet. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website!
Tags:
  • dog care
  • dog health
  • dog safety
SHARE THIS PAGE

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.

Related Posts

  • 50 Dog Names Ending in S February 27, 2021
    Top Rescue Goldendoodles For Adoption February 26, 2021
  • 3 Supplements to Help Your Aging Dog’s Joint Pain February 25, 2021
    Goldendoodle Breeders In New York February 25, 2021
  • Goldendoodle Breeders In Texas February 24, 2021
    Goldendoodle Breeders In Ohio February 23, 2021

4 Comments Hide Comments

Lilian Snow says:
May 10, 2020 at 5:24 pm

It beats me too why dogs eat various non-food items they come across. In fact, they don’t take time to observe what it is, they just see something and their nose is already in it trying to move it about to gr properly. That habit is nerve racking and so I don’t move about with them.

Reply
Opera says:
May 13, 2020 at 11:27 pm

You can say that again. The most annoying one for me is when they are casually roaming around the house and the next thing, they are walking to a very pungent baby diaper and trying to dig in. My dog has eaten a lot in the short space he has stayed with me and we have become the vet’s favorite already.

Reply
Nik says:
May 15, 2020 at 2:13 am

It’s been a day since my dog ingested a Q-tip – a dirty one at that. I’m still watching to see symptoms before taking any step. Or maybe I could just feed him some canned pumpkin already

Reply
Lyla says:
May 15, 2020 at 3:32 am

For me, I don’t even blink an eye once my pet is involved in any kind of accident. I don’t want to try anything that may make the whole thing worse so whenever he swallows something or sprains an area, we are headed down to the vet who luckily doesn’t live too far from us.

Reply

Add Your Comment Cancel reply

Something else?

Popular Categories

Bedding

Bedding

Cleaning supplies

Cleaning supplies

Gadgets

Gadgets

Manners

Manners

Nutrition

Nutrition

Training

Training

Travel

Travel

Treats

Treats

Last Comments

  • Paul on Can my Dog Get Coronavirus?
  • Barrck Saw on The Best Dog Subscription Boxes in 2021
  • Kennedy on My Dog is Coughing – Treatment and Causes
  • Gabriela on How to Massage Your Dog
  • Stefano on Everything about Dog Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) Surgery

The contents of the OurFitPets.com website, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on this site (“Content”) are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinarian advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian with any questions you may have regarding the medical condition of your pet. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website!

OurFitPets.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

  • Ask A Vet Online 24/7
  • Contact Us
  • Pet Guest Post
  • Pet Product Reviewer
  • Categories
  • Do Not Sell my Personal Information
  • Terms of Use
  • Disclaimer & Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy
  • Copyright
© OurFitPets.com

Share it on your social network:

Or you can just copy and share this url