It’s every dog owner’s worst nightmare, you come home to find that your dog has got into the rubbish and eaten something they shouldn’t have.
If that something happens to be a tampon, don’t panic there are a few things that you can do if your dog eats a tampon.
If you think your dog has eaten a tampon, the first thing you should do is call your veterinarian. Eating a foreign object can cause an obstruction in your dog’s digestive system, which can be life-threatening. Your vet will likely recommend bringing your dog in for x-rays to determine if there is an obstruction and, if so, how to treat it.
Things to do if your dog eats a tampon
The first thing you need to do is assess the situation. Is your dog showing any signs of discomfort?
If they are, it’s important to act quickly and take them to the vet.
However, if they seem to be feeling fine, there are a few things you can do at home to make sure the tampon passes through their system without any problems.
The most important thing is to make sure your dog stays hydrated.
Offer them plenty of water to drink and, if possible, add some broth or another liquid to their food.
This will help keep their stools soft so that the tampon can pass through easily.
You should also keep an eye on their poop to make sure the tampon is coming out in one piece.
If it seems like it’s breaking apart, or if your dog is having trouble going to the bathroom, call your vet immediately.
Can a dog be in danger from eating a tampon?
Many dog owners are unaware of the dangers that tampons pose to their pets.
While most dogs will spit out a tampon after chewing on it for a few minutes, some may swallow it whole.
If a dog ingests a tampon, it can cause serious health problems.
The tampon’s absorbent material can swell once it comes into contact with moisture, blocking the dog’s intestines and causing severe pain.
In addition, the string attached to the tampon can get tangled around the dog’s intestines, resulting in an emergency surgery.
As a result, it is important to be aware of the risks posed by tampons and take steps to keep them away from curious dogs.
Why do dogs eat tampons?
Dogs are natural scavengers which means that they will take the opportunity of a free ‘meal’ whenever it appears.
Many dogs will happily dig their way through the rubbish bin if they get the chance to do so and they will sniff out anything that has an interesting smell, this includes tampons.
While it may seem disgusting to humans, dogs are attracted to the smell of blood and other bodily fluids, so, if they are accessible, then there is a good chance that your dog will dig them out of the bin and chew or even eat them.
What’s the treatment for a dog that eats tampons?
Your vet will likely recommend bringing your dog in for x-rays to determine if there is an obstruction and, if so, how to treat it.
If the x-rays show that your dog has indeed swallowed a tampon, the next step is to remove it.
This can be done one of two ways: surgically or via endoscopy.
Surgery is usually only recommended if the tampon is causing an intestinal blockage.
If the tampon has passed into the stomach but is not causing an obstruction, your vet may opt for endoscopy.
This involves inserting a long, thin tube with a camera down your dog’s throat so that the tampon can be removed without surgery.
In some cases, it may be possible for the vet to simply give your dog a laxative to help move the tampon through its system.
However, this is only an option if the tampon has not caused an obstruction and if it is small enough that it will eventually pass on its own.
If you opt for this route, you will need to closely monitor your dog’s bathroom habits and call your vet immediately if you see any evidence that the tampon is stuck or not moving through its system as it should be.
Keep your dog out of the rubbish bin
As with most things, prevention is better than cure and to stop your dog from eating tampons ( and other rubbish ) you should consider how you dispose of such items.
Get a pet proof bin for the bathroom area where you can dispose of things that may pose a threat to your dog’s health and try to keep the bathroom door closed too.
Final Words
No one wants to think about their dog eating a tampon, but it’s important to know what to do if it happens.
The most important thing is to stay calm and act quickly. If your dog is showing signs of discomfort, take them to the vet right away.
Otherwise, offer them lots of water and watch their stool for any changes.
And finally, make sure this doesn’t happen again by keeping trash out of reach and keeping an eye on your pup when they’re outside.
