Vermiculite is a material that’s sometimes used in gardening or in home insulation. It may be added to soil, for instance, in the garden or in potted plants. Vermiculite is considered a safe substance, but what happens if a dog eats vermiculite?
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Has your dog eaten vermiculite? Are you worried the vermiculite will make your dog sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. We understand it’s scary when your dog eats something he shouldn’t.
In this article, we’ll take a look at vermiculite and whether or not it can make your dog sick. Let’s get started!
What is Vermiculite?
Vermiculite is a natural mineral that can be used in insulation or even in the garden. It’s made of hydrated laminar magnesium-aluminum-iron silicate. It’s often used in gardening because it improves the soil. For instance, it’s a very lightweight material, doesn’t rot, it helps aerate the soil, and increases water and nutrient retention in the soil.
Vermiculite can also be used as insulation in the home. Some of the reasons this material is used for insulation is because it’s lightweight, noncombustible, provides good energy savings, is highly absorbent, pH neutral, inert, and non-reactive (except to the strongest acids).
While this material can be helpful and beneficial in the garden or in the home, what happens if a dog eats vermiculite?
Vermiculite & Dogs
Vermiculite is considered to be non-toxic and inert; however, it can irritate a dog’s stomach and digestive tract.
Another problem is if the dog has eaten a large amount of vermiculite, there’s the possibility the material could cause an intestinal blockage.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Vermiculite Ingestion in Dogs
You may notice these symptoms if your dog has eaten vermiculite:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Nausea
You may notice these symptoms if your dog has eaten a little vermiculite. Diarrhea and vomiting should not last longer than 24 hours. If they do or your dog develops other concerning symptoms, then do call the vet.
The vet has medications that can treat the vomiting and diarrhea, as well as IV fluids if your dog has become dehydrated.
In dogs that have eaten a large amount of vermiculite, you’ll need to watch for these symptoms:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Dehydration
- Abdominal pain & bloating
If your dog is showing any of these symptoms, then call the vet immediately. This is an emergency. Your dog may have developed an intestinal blockage. This condition must be treated as soon as possible. If an intestinal blockage is not treated, it can lead to death.
So, there you have it. In most cases, dogs that eat a little bit of vermiculite will make a complete recovery. However, dogs that develop an intestinal blockage have a better chance of a full recovery if they receive prompt medical care.
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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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