Did you just catch your dog eating paper towels? Find out if the ingestion of paper towels pose a risk to your dogs health and when you should take it to a vet.
It is well known that many dogs are tempted to chew or eat various things they find in their surroundings. This is not a rare behavior and you dont have to worry about it typically, because most dogs do this. However, you have to make all the efforts possible at keeping the things that are harmful to them out of their reach.
Today we are going to talk particularly about some household items that are present in all kitchens and which can be dangerous if your dog ingests it, paper towels. After you read the entire article you may want to keep the rolls of paper towels away from your dog.
The risks that your dog is exposed to when he eats paper towels, the quantity he should be ingesting to be at risk, and when you should start worrying and take him to a vet, thats what we are going to talk about further in this article.
They ate the paper towels over 4 hours ago
If your dog ate the paper towels over 4 hours ago, the material may have already moved past their stomach. At this point your veterinarian will either suggest x-rays to look for any evidence of obstructive patterns, or offer you guidance on how to properly monitor them.
This will vary greatly based on your dog’s size, how much they ate, and if their x-rays show any sign of intestinal blockage.
Why Would A Dog Eat Paper Towels?
Unfortunately, our canine friends have habits we just don’t understand. Some have an interest in eating things outside of their normal diet, even products like paper towels or toilet paper.
Though we can understand why dogs would dive into items with an enticing smell, it can be a bit more challenging to understand why dogs would eat paper towels.
Dogs may choose to shred and eat paper towels due to boredom, an interest in the unique texture, to relieve teething pain, and even when experiencing anxiety.
Most dogs tend to fall somewhere on this list when getting to the bottom of their home destruction, though we can never know their exact reasons.
You may notice this behavior after being gone for a day and coming home to seeing shredded paper around your home. This could be a sign your canine friend is experiencing anxiety because of your absence.
At the end of the day, some dogs just enjoy getting into things they should not. These curious creatures don’t understand the risks that follow their actions, so it’s up to us to be fully educated on the topic.
How Eating Toilet Paper Harms Your Dog’s Health
Eating toilet paper can lead to serious digestive issues. At the very least, your pup may experience an upset stomach as the toilet paper passes through their system. This could cause vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and lethargy.
It can even lead to a trip to the emergency room, as toilet paper can cause blockages in dog’s intestines that require surgery. Signs of a blocked intestine include weight loss, bloating, pain, or an inability to eat.
FAQ
Why does my dog eat toilet paper and paper towels?
Some dogs, especially those who will go straight for the stash of toilet paper rolls when you leave them at home for a day, are engaging in this behavior to relieve stress or boredom.
Can paper cause blockage in dogs?
It is possible for paper to get stuck in your dog’s digestive tract, which causes a blockage. The more paper they eat, the higher the risk of this occurring. Smaller dogs are also at a higher risk, because they have smaller digestive tracts. However, it’s really proportional.
What should I do if my dog ate a towel?