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My dog ate napkins- [Should I be worried]
Although we choose the best foods for our beloved dogs, they will find ways to eat foods they should not eat.
A common element that dogs eat is wet wipes.
Of course, you will be worried if you find out that your dog did this. How are you behaving? Is this a matter of serious concern? Here are all the things to do and consider.
What to do if your dog ate the napkin?
If your dog eats napkins, watch them for the next 24-48 hours. In most cases, the tissue passes through your dog’s digestive system without major problems, but in other cases (such as cotton or linen wipes) you may experience pain and discomfort or blockage. You may need to call your veterinarian.
Well, your dog’s response will depend on three factors:
- Napkin material( Paper , cloth or any other)
- The size of the dog
- What did your Pooch eat?
However, more on that later. Now, keep in mind that it is very important to monitor your dog closely and take action when changes are detected.
What happens to dogs that eat napkins?
What happens to dogs that eat napkins depends on the circumstances, the material from which the napkins were made, the amount consumed and the dog.
They will pass it , sometimes!
When a dog eats napkins, the napkins begin to travel through the dog’s digestive tract, throat, stomach and intestines and hopefully be stored as waste.
As long as your dog ate only a plain paper napkin, it’s usually fine.
May cause Illness
If your dog eats more than one napkin at a time, eats a very thick, paperless napkin, or eats a napkin that contains food that is not safe for dogs, the dog can be pampered.
A dog’s stomach can cope with a variety of things, but sudden ingestion of a non-food or unsafe food for a dog can make a dog nauseous. Your dog may vomit and spit on wipes or chewed gag.
May get tummy Blockage: May cause Blockage If the wipes are not made of paper or your dog eats too many wipes, they can get into the dog’s stomach or digestive tract and cause diarrhea, vomiting or toilet problems. .
Will the Dog pass the napkin?
Normally yes they do pass it off , but not always.
The tissue passes right through the dog’s digestive system. On the other hand, cotton or linen napkins cannot.
There are several factors that affect the ability of wet wipes to pass through your dog.
This includes what the napkins were made of, how many napkins the dog ate and how big the dog was.Also, the digestive system of some dogs is more sensitive than others.
If your dog has a history of stomach pain or diarrhea, he is more likely to have problems using napkins through his system.
Basically, if your dog decides to eat the wipes without a master, it will go through the system and will work well.
Why Do Dogs Consume Napkins? 5 Major Reasons Dogs eat Napkins
The major reasons that dogs eat napkins are for fun, to relieve boredom since napkins frequently have delectable food scents on them after a meal, or as a result of a medical condition known as Pica.
Pica
There are medical issues that might arise as a result of consuming strange foods.
Pica is a disease characterised by non-food eating that might be caused by underlying behavioural or physiological issues.
Pica is most commonly associated with dogs eating grass or their own excrement, however a dog with pica may also consume cardboard, Kleenex, or toilet tissue as part of the disease.
Anxiety
When left alone, a nervous dog that may be suffering from separation anxiety may become destructive.
This may entail tearing or shredding paper.
Paper shredding may result in the dog ingesting the tissue.
Lack of Nutritional
Of course, nutritional inadequacies or an inadequate diet might lead to a dog searching for and consuming items that are not food.
Tissue is commonly accessible in many houses. This makes it an easy target for a dog looking to quench its hunger.
Boredom, Of course!
Dogs & Pups can eat or break Kleenex or toilet paper.
If your dog does not get enough brain stimulation, he can find a way to ease boredom, such as chewing or breaking a Kleenex box.
Such behaviour can trigger a negative reaction and can satisfy the attention needs of a bored dog.
Flavour/taste
Many dogs enjoy the taste of a discarded napkin because it still contains particles of human food.
The biggest appeal is the food fragrance or oil left behind after we wipe our hands or make a meal mess.
What should I do after my dog eats the napkins?
After your dog eats the napkins, take the time to assess how much he is brushing, give the dog water and a snack, and monitor him closely for the next 24 hours.
If your dog shows signs of constipation, call or visit your veterinarian immediately.
Finally, take steps to prevent your dog from eating more napkins in the future. If your dog eats napkins, there are a few things you can do to keep them safe and comfortable.
Give the dog water and snacks
By giving your dog water and food, You can help create an environment that pushes larger pieces of tissue into the dog’s stomach.
A slight stimulation of the digestive tract increases the chances that the napkin will pass quickly.
If your hungry dog normally refuses to eat or if your dog seems thirsty but refuses to drink water for more than an hour, take a break and then try another offer.
If your dog still does not show a normal interest in food or drink, call your veterinarian.
Keep an eye on your puppy
If your puppy does not eat, drink or vomit, it is best to pay more attention to the owner the next day.If your dog is behaving normally and showing no signs of pain, then it is possible that his digestive tract has managed the diaper blocker well.
Pieces of tissue may or may not be visible in your dog’s poop.If your puppy doesn’t chew the napkins much before swallowing, you can see lice in your dog’s poop.
If your dog breaks a napkin, you will not see any sign that it is passing. it’s fine.
As much as you don’t want to hear it, you really do just have to wait and watch. My puppy has eaten all sorts of things even despite us being very careful with him, so I know how stressful it can get. Just keep an eye out on whether he’s vomiting up any food/water (also if he’s eating normally) and id also monitor his poops. Whether he’s going, and if you can see the band passed through. Chances are that he’s going to be just fine though, I wouldn’t worry about it too much.
When you think your puppy is vomiting and passing loose motions you’ll need an emergency vet, call them and see what they have to say If it’s been less than 45 minutes, they may tell you to give hydrogen peroxide to make you vomit.
This will make you sick as a Paw-rent. Keep your puppy hydrated and don’t waste time. Your dog’s intestines don’t want to be stuck or blocked, and you don’t want that to happen to your dog.
This would be the case in an ideal world, though. If this happens, I wouldn’t trust luck. I’d go to the vet instead.
Also Read: Can Dogs Eat McDonalds? [List of Good bad and the ugly]
Take steps to avoid eating more napkins
After your dog eats the napkin, the best thing to do is think of a way to make sure this doesn’t happen again.
This could mean getting a trash can with the lid closed or putting a trash can behind a closed door.
It could also mean supervising children throwing used wipes on the floor or placing them on tables for dogs to retrieve.
Most of the time, the solution is as simple as giving your dog something to chew when he is stressed or bored.
It’s not the first time he’s discovered. However, avoiding other foods is the best way to protect your dog and get rid of unnecessary stress.
Discarded tissue should also be stored in a safe, handy place.
This could mean using a safe litter box for dogs. If you see your dog tearing or eating a happy napkin, avoid following him.
This could quickly make a game that Fido will want to repeat. Instead, ignore the behaviour and let your pet soothe the broken cloth.
Prevention is better
Dogs eat weird things! From Scrunches to Rubber band, Aspirin, Lizard, Balloons, and Toothpaste!In fact, there seems to be no limit to what a dog can eat.
In this case, it is better to prevent than to cure. Keeping adult puppies and dogs out of access to paper products will stop the problem and prevent the habit.
When leaving your dog alone, make sure the toilet door is closed and the napkin box is out of reach.
In some cases, using a stairwell or a dog crate can be the key to breaking the habit of toilet paper.
FAQs
If you have come this far, you may have a question about whether your dog has eaten paper products.
In general, most paper products are essentially similar.
Here are some frequently asked questions about dogs and paper products.
Can dogs easily pass napkins or paper towels?
The pulp is naturally soft and passes easily through the digestive tract without problems in most cases.
It may not be absorbed, so tissue residue may appear in the stool. Dogs often break or chew the material to allow it to pass easily. However, if consumed in sufficient quantities, the tissue may swell or become clogged.
Is it harmful to your dog to consume toilet paper?
Toilet paper is not meant to be eaten and has no nutritional benefit when swallowed.
To avoid difficulties, keep wet wipes or toilet paper away from your dog’s reach. If your four-legged pet decides to chew the fabric, it’s not a huge problem.
Again, the most serious danger is an intestinal blockage in your dog.
Why does my dog tear toilet paper before consuming it?
Breaking toilet paper or napkins becomes an enjoyable activity or a means to relieve boredom for certain dogs.
Separation anxiety in dogs can appear as disruptive behaviour, such as grabbing anything at hand, including toilet paper, in certain circumstances.
Puppies are especially susceptible to chewing on sight.
What are the symptoms of a dog’s intestinal obstruction?
A foreign body is a huge wad of paper towels that a dog consumes. This item might then induce a blockage or obstruction in the digestive tract, which would be a medical emergency.
At first, symptoms of blockage may be minor, such as fatigue, listlessness, and a lack of appetite.
The signs and symptoms may proceed to vomit, drooling, diarrhoea, and straining to use the restroom.
If your dog exhibits symptoms of a bowel blockage, call your veterinarian right once.
Wrapping Up!
Ingestion of paper goods in modest amounts is unlikely to be hazardous to your canine friend.
However, it’s always a good idea to check with your veterinarian first. This way, your doctor will grasp the problem if your dog exhibits symptoms that indicate they are having difficulty digesting it.
By following the measures outlined above, you will ensure that you are prepared to deal with any more significant health consequences that may develop.
For more about Dogs see our other articles below
References
- AVMA– Vet
- Some foods are Toxic to dogs
- The Everything Poodle Book (2004) by J.Adams
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (2014) by H. Bowler
The Complete Standard Poodle (1998) by E. Geeson
Cavapoos or Cavoodles: The Ultimate Cavapoo Dog Manual (2014) by G. Hoppendale
Article Reviewed by Dr Sara J Vet @Hampton Vet Clinic. Learn More about Dr. Sarah