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Don’t you just love tamales? They’re excellent and can be enjoyed any time! However, what happens if your dog eats the tamale husk? Can the tamale husk make the dog sick?
Has your dog eaten a tamale husk? Are you worried the tamale husk will make your dog sick? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary if your dog eats something like this.
We’ve put together information about tamale husks and whether they can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!
What is a Tamale Husk?
A tamale husk is a corn husk that’s used to make tamales. They hold the tamale meat and other ingredients while cooking. Corn husks are the outer covering of the corn. When you buy whole ears of the corn at the store, they’re sometimes covered with what looks like green leaves. These are the corn husks!
Once the husks are filled, they’re steamed with tamale ingredients inside. While the husks are safe when used in this way, what happens if a dog eats the tamale husk? Can the tamale husk make a dog sick?
Tamale Husks & Dogs
The good news is that tamale husks are not toxic for dogs. However, they are very fibrous and can be difficult to digest.
Another problem is that the husk could become lodged in the dog’s digestive tract and cause a blockage. This condition is called an intestinal blockage and can be deadly if not treated.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Tamale Husk Ingestion in Dogs
You may notice these symptoms if your dog has eaten a tamale husk:
- Vomiting
- Difficulty passing bowel movements
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain & swelling
- Restlessness
If your dog shows any of these symptoms, call the vet immediately. This is an emergency.
When you call the vet, let them know what’s happened and explain your dog’s symptoms. Let the vet know when this happened. If the vet suspects your dog has an intestinal blockage, they will want to see your dog ASAP.
In some cases, the dog will need emergency surgery to remove the blockage. The good news is that with prompt treatment, most dogs will make a full recovery.
So, if you’re enjoying a tamale dinner, be sure to keep the husks away from your dog. When the husks are thrown away, be sure use a wastebasket with a lid. That will at least slow your dog down until the garbage is taken out!
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Tom
Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!
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