

How can I stop her from doing this without punishing her? Story #2 – Puppy Ate Plastic Bag She recently took a liking to plastic bags and love to tear down into pieces before eating a few as if they were snacks. I absolutely adore her and she is a good girl. She is an eight years old German Shepherd.

I brought home a rescue dog a few months ago. Here are some stories shared by fellow dog owners who went through the same stressful experience of seeing their dog eat plastic bags. In this case, you will need to consult with the vet to determine a treatment (and dietary) plan that is appropriate for your pet. Pica may also arise due to an underlying medical condition or disease. Making sure your dog gets the appropriate amount of exercise can help resolve many behavioral issues, such as pica and excessive barking. There are far too many stressed dogs out there that don’t get the amount of physical (and mental) exercise needed to lead a healthy lifestyle.

For example, one recommendation a vet may offer is to increase the amount of physical activities your dog gets. If the eating disorder arises due to behavioral issues then your dog may need a lifestyle change in order for pica to go away. Unfortunately, treating pica isn’t as straightforward as giving the dog medication. If you haven’t been feeding your dog a well-balanced diet then here’s a chance to change that so that the dog no longer has the urge to consume foreign objects to satisfy his appetite. According to PetMD, one possible cause for pica is nutritional deficiency. What we do know is that dogs are very curious animals and their curiosity can get the best of them at times.Īnother possible reason might have to do with pica, an eating disorder which involves a dog eating something that isn’t typically thought of as food. There’s no definite answer as to why dogs eat plastic bags or foreign objects in general. With plastic bags, it will potentially take longer since it is an indigestible object. According to American Kennel Club, it should take under ten hours in normal circumstances for food to transit from the mouth to the large intestines. How Long Does it Take for a Dog to Digest Plastic?ĭogs can’t digest plastic but if the plastic bag is small enough then it may very well pass on and appear when the dog defecates. If your dog starts to show any of the above symptoms then we highly recommend giving the vet a call to receive guidance on what to do next. What if the dog ate the plastic bag while you weren’t looking? Common symptoms to look out for that may indicate a blockage in the dog’s stomach include vomiting, inability to poop, lethargic movements, diarrhea and loose stools, and signs of abdominal pain. Trying to get your dog to throw up the plastic bag may actually lead to more harm than good. We, however, strongly discourage you from doing this unless the vet gives you the green light to do so. Unfortunately, this surgery is expensive and will most likely cost a few thousands dollar.Īnother immediate solution is to try and have your dog throw up the plastic bag. This surgery is major in the sense that the dog will need to go under anesthesia and be hospitalized for a few days post-surgery. One potential treatment that may be required is an intestinal blockage surgery. X-Ray, endoscopy, ultrasound) on your dog to identify the location of the obstruction. The vet may conduct a number of examinations (e.g. The medical treatment required for a plastic bag blockage may differ based on a number of factors such as the location of the blockage.
#Have you ever thrown dog waste in the trash without a bag full#
In the worst-case scenario, the plastic bag will cause a partial or full blockage of the dog’s digestive system. In the best-case scenario, the plastic bag is small enough to pass through the dog’s digestive tract and eventually come out the other end. A number of things can happen when a dog eats a plastic bag. Not every dog-eating-plastic-bag situation can be classed as an immediate emergency but you don’t want to leave it to chance. What Happens if a Dog Eats a Plastic Bag? The faster you take the dog to the vet, the lesser the chances of complications. It doesn’t matter if your dog ate the plastic bag as a whole or in torn pieces. There are many things that can go wrong when a dog accidentally eats a plastic bag. What to Do When Your Dog Eats a Plastic Bag (Urgent Action Needed)Ĭall or take your dog to the vet RIGHT NOW.
