Toys, plastic bags, pens, packaging, etc. can be very tempting for your dog. Below is what you can do in an emergency.
If you have noticed or are concerned that your dog has eaten plastic, first observe him for a few minutes to make sure that the animal is still breathing. The next steps you can take will depend on the size of your dog and the amount and type of plastic your dog has ingested.
For plastic with a harmful coating or toxic content – such as cleaning chemicals – you should see a veterinarian immediately. Broken plastic or plastic with sharp edges can injure the esophagus and/or gastrointestinal tract. Small, soft, and non-toxic plastic particles should be able to pass through your dog’s digestive tract without harm. If in doubt, contact your veterinarian.
What to Do If My Dog Swallows a Plastic Bag?
The plastic used to store or transport food is particularly tempting for dogs and therefore it is not uncommon for them to eat bread bags, cheese paper, supermarket bags, or plastic cutlery. As mentioned earlier, small, soft pieces of plastic shouldn’t cause permanent damage. Longer or larger pieces of plastic, such as bags or cutlery, can cause blockages in the stomach or intestines. In some cases, surgery is then necessary to remove the foreign body.
The best way to prevent this from happening is to contact your trusted veterinarian immediately after the incident. They can give your dog an emetic. If the plastic is still in your dog’s stomach, then at best he will vomit it up.
What If My Dog Has Eaten a Plastic Stick?
Pens are usually made of hard plastic, which can have sharp edges when defective. Even if the actual amount of plastic ingested is small, these sharp edges can cause serious problems as they pass through the digestive tract. This is especially dangerous for small or young dogs.
Therefore, it is advisable to contact a veterinarian immediately. They can tell you what to do in your specific case. He or she may advise you to check to see if your dog is salivating more, swallowing or choking more often, showing signs of abdominal pain, vomiting, or showing loss of appetite. The color shouldn’t cause any health problems, but your dog’s stool may become discolored.
How Long Does It Take for a Dog to Excrete Plastic?
The digestive process in a dog usually takes 8–12 hours. In the case of pieces of plastic, for example, the passage through the stomach can take longer – up to several days. Larger pieces of plastic may be too big to leave your stomach again.
If the plastic piece (s) do not block the stomach, this may only be noticeable in an otherwise healthy dog through occasional vomiting. This type of temporary blockage can be difficult to diagnose because it can also appear as if your dog has a sensitive stomach.
What If My Dog Accidentally Eats Plastic?
If your dog accidentally ingests plastic, he or she may pass it back without any symptoms of illness. However, discomfort can arise if the plastic was coated or filled with harmful substances.
Sharp particles can cause injury and long pieces can cause clogging. When in doubt, the best thing to do is to contact your veterinarian. The more precisely you can describe the size, quantity, and type of plastic, the better.
What Can I Do If My Dog Swallows Lego?
If your dog has eaten a single small Lego brick, it is unlikely to cause any damage, but you should watch your dog closely over the next few days to make sure that it is eating as usual and that its digestion is normal. You might even see the Lego particle when he knocks it out.
If your dog has eaten a large Lego brick or several, this could lead to constipation. If you are concerned, it is advisable to see a veterinarian. They may do an ultrasound or an X-ray of your dog’s stomach to see if further action is needed.
Are There Home Remedies If My Dog Has Eaten Plastic?
There are home remedies that can cause your dog to vomit, but these are not particularly safe and therefore not recommended.
Also, in some cases, it is not good for your dog to vomit plastic particles again, as this can lead to further injury to the esophagus. If your dog has only ingested a small amount of plastic, it may be enough to give him small amounts of food several times to get the plastic out.
When Should I Contact a Veterinarian?
If your dog has eaten plastic, it is always advisable to contact a veterinarian as soon as possible. They can advise you on the best way to proceed.
Perhaps the animal only needs to be observed at home or it needs an emetic as quickly as possible or, in the case of larger pieces of plastic, it may even have to be operated on to minimize the risk of injury or prevent further damage to health.
