Puppy Eating Toy Stuffing

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Have you caught your dog eating the stuffing out of one of their toys? Is it dangerous, you might be asking? Can dogs eat polyester stuffing? What if they are coughing, vomiting, or having diarrhea? Does that mean stuffing is toxic for dogs? Let’s dive deeper into the questions and explore the dangers of stuffing, what to do if your dog eats it, and alternatives to stuffing.

What Will Happen To A Dog That Eats Toy Stuffing?

Many dogs will eat small amounts of toy stuffing from time to time and be completely fine. They simply pass the toy stuffing through their system and out in their stool. For other dogs, eating toy stuffing can result in an upset stomach, choking, or a digestive block.

Monitoring for signs of these conditions is important as they can be life-threatening for a dog.

If In Doubt, Call Your Vet

While eating toy stuffing isn’t usually a major emergency, calling your vet is a good idea if you have any worries about your dog’s safety.

When you call your vet, they will likely ask for the information you gathered in step one.

Your vet can advise you if they think you should come in for a detailed exam or take other active steps to keep your pet healthy.

By letting your vet know about the situation, you also save yourself some time if you end up needing to take your dog in later due to a problem from eating the toy stuffing.

The best alternative to stuffed toys

These Frisco Forest Friends are the perfect soft toy, without the hazardous stuffing! They do have dog squeakers though, so supervision is still required.

There are a couple of options for anyone looking for stuffing-free dog toys. The most popular option is squeaky toys. We cover the safety of squeaky toys here.

Subpar squeaky toys are a choking hazard, but trusted brands make several durable, high-quality options. They also come in various sizes, catering to every size breed.

The biggest problem with squeaky toys, a problem to which we can attest, is that they make an extraordinary amount of noise, especially in the paws of a particularly enthusiastic pup.

The KONG SqueakStix is one of our all-time favorites. It is durable enough to withstand even aggressive chewers, and will continue to squeak if punctured.

There is nothing innovative about the classic rubber ball, but it is a classic for a reason. A durable, good-quality rubber ball designed for dogs will give your pup hours and hours of entertainment, with a very limited threat of accidentally swallowing it.

Our top pick is the Chuckit! Ultra Rubber Ball. The reviews speak for themselves.

FAQ

What happens if a dog eats toy stuffing?

A: This is a common problem. Of most concern is the possibility of stomach or small intestinal blockage. Objects that dogs swallow seem to pass through the digestive tract most of the time, but it is not uncommon for surgery to be required.

Will my dog poop out stuffing?

Most of the time, small amounts of stuffing will pass through the dog that eats it. Any stuffing that doesn’t break down as it moves through a dog’s stomach and intestines will be passed into the dog’s stool within a couple of days of being eaten.