It is a ubiquitous sight when you see your dog eating something which they shouldn’t. Most of the store-bought food has aluminum covering over it, and what if your dog ate aluminum foil? What should you do now?
First thing, DO NOT PANIC. Aluminum is not life-threatening for dogs. If they consume it in a moderate quantity, it will not be harmful. Make sure you assess them in the next few days, if you any adverse symptoms, contact your vet.
The question is, how would you know that your dog ate it? What will be the symptoms and how will you cure them.
This article is here to help you! Read below to find out.
Consequences If Your Dog Ate Aluminum Foil
If we talk about the material, aluminum, it isn’t toxic to dogs. But it is also not something that your furry friend should eat. Sometimes, the food on the foil can also harm your pet.
In both cases, you must be vigilant and know that what happens if your dog has ingested it.
1. Choking Threat:
The main problem of consuming aluminum foil is that they can easily choke on it.
Aluminum is a hard material. It gets even more problematic when crumpled. We have a habit of making a ball out of it and throwing it carelessly.
If you have a dog around, make sure they do not eat it because they can choke on it and cause breathing issues.
If you have a smaller dog like a Goldendoodle, even tiny pieces can be dangerous.
2. Aluminum Foil Can Cause Intestinal Blockage:
The foil causes problems in not only breathing but also a blockage in other organs as well.
If your furry friend has eaten a foil wrapper, it can be harder for them to poop it out. Dog’s produce more potent acids in their body as compared to humans. But a foil wrapper will still be harder to digest.
It can lead to blockage in the intestine or even gastritis.
If there is an intestinal blockage in your pup, they will not be able to eat or excrete properly. On the other hand, gastritis is the inflammation of the stomach lining. It can last for a shorter period or even become life-threatening.
If you know that your dog ate aluminum foil, do not lose your calm and watch out for the symptoms. Ensure that you consider even the smallest distress.
3. The Food Over The Aluminum Foil Can Be Hazardous:
As we mentioned before, not only the foil can be dangerous, but the remnants can also lead to poisoning.
Your canine companion won’t eat unused aluminum foil unless they are suffering “pica”. It is a behavioral disorder.
They might eat the aluminum foil in which food is wrapped, as they find it tempting. As long as food like granola bars or sausages is wrapped around the foil, it is okay.
But be careful when you throw chocolate wrappers around the house. This delicious treat carries several risks for your pup.
Chocolates are life-threatening food for dogs, as it contains “theobromine”. Other foods include garlic and pork rib bones. The former contains “thiosulfate” which is also a fatal ingredient.
This is why garlic bread is also not safe for pooches. And the latter is immensely fatty. It can cause inflammation in the stomach and intestine.
4. Aluminum Foil Is Sharp:
Crumpling the foil in a ball make it even harder, and hence it has sharp edges. These edges might not be sharp enough to create cuts on our bodies.
But for dogs, it can cut their mouths and esophagus or even puncture their intestine.
Symptoms Of Ingesting Aluminum Foil In Dogs
Whatever food dogs eat; it takes 6-8 hours to pass through the digestive system. If you have caught your dog eating an aluminum foil, try not to panic.
Apart from choking and intestinal blockage, search for the symptoms mentioned below. So that it is easier to detect if your dog ate aluminum foil or not.
- Lethargy – This is because your dog might not be feeling well and is too weak to play or act normally around you. If your dog is experiencing any inflammation or infections, this might be the reason.
- Constipation – The blockage causes it in the intestine. If your dog isn’t able to poop, they will feel nauseated too.
- Loss of appetite – If your dog has lost interest in food, they might be feeling full. This is because they aren’t able to poop or even digest what they had before.
The reason behind this is the blockage caused by the foil.
- Vomiting – This is good, yet common symptom. When your furry friend eats something that they cannot digest. If the vomiting continues throughout the day, contact a vet. Make sure they do not get severely
- Diarrhea – It also happens when pups ingest something which they shouldn’t. Keep an eye on their stools daily.
- Hyperactivity – This isn’t a typical sign of excitement. They may start pacing and bark excessively due to restlessness.
- Bloating – If your pup has a swollen belly and pain while touching it, he is facing bloating. It caused by GIT inflammation, constipation, and blockage.
You will notice that your canine companion is having a hard time lying down normally.
- Breathing issues – Suffocation in dogs will cause difficulty in breathing. Most of the time it’s not the foil they choked on, but the toxic bits and bobs the wrapper may have carried.
What’s The Next Step After Your Dog Ate Aluminum Foil?
Here are a few things you should do after catching your dog while eating tinfoil.
1. Keep A Check On Their Condition:
Be vigilant about their health condition for at least 24 hours. If they do not show any of the above symptoms, you are good to go.
The best way to find if your pet’s health is in danger or not is to monitor their feces. If you find anything odd, whether appearance or frequency, contact a vet immediately.
2. Try To Determine How Much They Have Swallowed Aluminum Foil:
We know it’s not humanly possible to figure out exactly how much they have consumed. You can have a rough idea after looking at the leftover wrappers.
In this way, you will be able to know whether or not you should immediately rush to the vet or stay at home.
3. Induce Puking Immediately After Your Dog Ate Aluminum Foil:
As we said before, if your pet throws up naturally, it is a good sign because their body didn’t digest it.
The best way to induce it is to give them 3% of a millimeter of hydrogen peroxide per pound of the bodyweight.
You can either offer by syringe or spoon, whatever is suitable for you.
4. Consult A Vet – If Needed:
If the symptoms do not subside within a day and it’s getting worse, contact a vet ASAP!
You might be thinking about what your poor furry friend has to go through at the clinic. Firstly, the vet will start with taking a detailed history along with when he ate the foil or how much he ate it.
Now, the treatment depends upon your answers and the severity of the symptoms. Starting off, with the blood tests and X-rays so that they know where the foil is.
Sometimes, dogs have to undergo an endoscopy. It is a process in which a long camera is inserted into the dog’s mouth or through the rectum. Even the vet does an ultrasound to know the exact location of the material.
If the symptoms are due to the food on the foil, your vet may prescribe activated charcoal. It helps absorb the chemicals present in the belly.
Other options are laxatives. In which the fragments of aluminum foil or the toxic ingredients will most likely pass down in the poop.
In rare cases, surgery is required. If your pup has ingested a considerable chunk and it is not possible with the above solutions.
Final Thoughts – Dog Ate Aluminum Foil
All in all, we can say that aluminum is not toxic for dogs, but it is also not a consumable item. There are chances that your dog might get sick after eating it.
There are several symptoms ranging from vomiting to hyperactivity. They can give you a hint that something is wrong with your pet. If these symptoms persist, contact your vet.
Accidents like these happen when you have a pet. Make sure you don’t leave any foil fragments around the house or any place where your dog can reach. So that you can save your poor canine companion from trouble.
You can also buy a pet-proof bin, in which your dog can hunt for some treats.
At the end of the day, it all comes down to being a responsible pet owner. You love your pup with all your heart, and you don’t want to see him suffering. We hope that this article has kept you hooked till the end, and helped you find answers to your questions.
