Dog Ate My Tampon

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The act of eating a tampon is extremely common in the canine population, no matter how odd or gross it may seem to us.

In this article we will discuss what can happen when your dog eats a tampon, and help you better understand the treatment options available to your pup.

What happens if your dog eats your tampon?

My Dog Swallowed a Tampon What Should I Do?

  • Prevent your dog from eating more tampons. If you’ve come in to find the bathroom trash on the floor, take a moment to make sure your dog can’t get into any more trouble. Either clear up the spill, or simply close the door to prevent your dog from entering whilst you assess the situation.
  • Work out how many tampons have been eaten, the number that have been eaten, and when they were likely eaten. If you’re not sure when they were eaten, make sure you know how long your dog was left unattended for – this is vital information for your veterinarian.
  • Contact your veterinarian for advice. A quick phone call will let you discuss the risks with your vet. Don’t be embarrassed – you’d be surprised how common this is! They’ll need to know how big your dog is and the details collected in step 2 so they can give you the best advice.
  • Follow your veterinarian’s advice. This may be to come down to the clinic for an assessment and treatment, or your veterinarian may be happy to monitor the situation at home under close supervision.

    • What Happens If a Dog Eats a Tampon?

    Believe it or not, it is somewhat common for dogs to find a tampon in a wastebasket, the garbage, or lying around the house and ingest it.

    When a dog swallows a tampon, the health effects can range between the two extreme ends of the spectrum.

    In some instances, your dog may simply pass the tampon through its stool and go on about its life as if nothing ever happened. But other times, the swallowing of a tampon can lead to health complications that result in permanent injury and even death.

    If you find out that your dog has swallowed a tampon, always approach the situation with the utmost seriousness and concern. Never just assume that your dog will pass it and be fine. Hope for the best but prepare for the worst.

    Can Dogs Pass A Tampon On Their Own?

    Some lucky pups will be able to pass a tampon on their own.

    Their ability to do this will often depend on the size of the dog’s intestines, the size of the tampon, if they swallowed the tampon intact, and how many tampons they consumed.

    Waiting for your dog to pass the tampon on their own is a dangerous game, as the intestines can become extremely damaged if you wait too long to seek care.

    Symptoms of a bowel obstruction can take up to 72 hours to begin, at which point their GI tract has already experienced extreme stress.

    The chance of your dog passing an obstruction on their own is never guaranteed, making it important to seek medical care from the moment you see them consume the tampon.