Dogs love to play with plastic bottles. Canines enjoy hearing the crunching sound plastic makes between their teeth. But is this free toy safe for dogs?
In my travels, I have seen wild monkeys and dogs play with plastic litter. When disposing of our plastic, we can all try to be more mindful about the animals we share our planet with, and the possible harm plastic waste can create.
I hope you feel armed with the information you need to keep your dog safe. Do you have any experiences with dogs and plastic bottles? Share in the comments below.
In conclusion, please don’t leave a dog unattended with a plastic water bottle. If in the unfortunate event your dog does happen to swallow plastic, K9 of Mine provides some great advice.
A bottle without the cap is also a risk since jaw work on the plastic bottle could easily tear into dangerous shards. As a result, it could hurt the dog’s mouth, throat, stomach intestines or rectum. Moreover, if a piece is ingested, an intestinal blockage would require surgery and could even be life-threatening. Furthermore, the sharp edges can cut a dog’s gums and mouth. None of this is a nice thought for our beloved furry friends.
Is It Safe For Pugs To Chew On Plastic?
According to PetCoach, a bottle cap will either pass through a canine or can get stuck and cause an obstruction. If your four-legged friend does eat a bottle cap or plastic, you need to seek medical attention immediately.
If your Pug punctures holes in the bottle, take it away from them. The sharp edges can cause their teeth and gums to bleed. Harder plastics can cause your dog’s teeth to chip or even break.
Small pieces of plastic can also break off and may become toxic to your pooch. Ingested pieces of plastic can be harmful to their digestive system and painful when defecated or thrown up.
NEVER let them chew on plastic bottles when you’re not around.
It’s a mystery, but dogs love to bite into plastic water bottles and hear them crunch and crackle. “Many people give them to their dog to play with, and some store-bought toys even have them instead of stuffing,” says AKC GoodDog! Helpline Trainer Hilarie Erb. “Diving into a wading pool filled with them is an exciting confidence building activity for puppies.”
So, bottom line, don’t leave your dog unattended with a plastic water bottle. Also, buying a dog toy that makes similar sounds to a plastic bottle when chewed can help reduce the risk of cuts associated with broken pieces.
Erb cautions, “Dogs and puppies should never be left unsupervised with one. Eventually, after the initial thrill of ‘killing’ the bottle, a dog will probably settle in for a good chew. At this point, a cap or piece of the bottle itself might be ingested, causing a life-threatening emergency. Removing the cap might help a little, but still doesn’t make it safe because even little dogs’ jaws are more than strong enough to tear off some of the bottle itself.”
Young puppies, for example, can break a plastic bottle pretty easily. Once broken, those pieces can be ingested, causing a blockage that requires emergency vet care — frequently surgery — and can be fatal. When the plastic water bottle breaks, it also creates sharp edges that can cut your dog’s mouth, resulting in another vet visit.
For more fun and safe toys, check out the play section of the AKC Shop. https://www.akc.org/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php Get Your Free AKC eBook
Why Does My Dog Like Chewing Plastic Bottles?
Dogs love to play with plastic bottles. Canines enjoy hearing the crunching sound plastic makes between their teeth. But is this free toy safe for dogs?
Plastic can cause a dog to choke. If the cap or ring of a plastic bottle is ingested or gets stuck in the mouth or throat, it could create a life-threatening emergency or at worse fatality.
A bottle without the cap is also a risk since jaw work on the plastic bottle could easily tear into dangerous shards. As a result, it could hurt the dog’s mouth, throat, stomach intestines or rectum. Moreover, if a piece is ingested, an intestinal blockage would require surgery and could even be life-threatening. Furthermore, the sharp edges can cut a dog’s gums and mouth. None of this is a nice thought for our beloved furry friends.
In conclusion, please don’t leave a dog unattended with a plastic water bottle. If in the unfortunate event your dog does happen to swallow plastic, K9 of Mine provides some great advice.
In my travels, I have seen wild monkeys and dogs play with plastic litter. When disposing of our plastic, we can all try to be more mindful about the animals we share our planet with, and the possible harm plastic waste can create.
I hope you feel armed with the information you need to keep your dog safe. Do you have any experiences with dogs and plastic bottles? Share in the comments below.
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