If you’ve ever turned your back for just a second and found your dog chewing something they shouldn’t… you’re not alone! Dogs are naturally curious (and sometimes way too quick). But sometimes, what looks like a little harmless mischief can lead to some pretty serious trouble—yep, even an emergency surgery.
Let’s talk about the most common mistake dog owners don’t think twice about, and how you can prevent a scary trip to the vet.
The One Mistake Most Owners Overlook
Here’s the truth:
Letting your dog chew or swallow objects they find around the house or yard.
Dogs use their mouths to explore everything. Socks, bones, balls, sticks, toys—even random trash. Most times, it’s no big deal, but sometimes what they swallow gets stuck or causes internal damage.
Some Things Dogs Commonly Swallow:
- Socks and underwear
- Corn cobs
- Pieces of toys (especially plastic or rubber ones)
- Bones (cooked bones are extra risky)
- String, ribbon, or yarn
- Rocks or gravel
- Hair ties, rubber bands, sponges
- Batteries (seriously dangerous)
Why Swallowing Foreign Objects is So Dangerous
The scary part? Many swallowed things don’t pass through safely. Some get stuck in the stomach or intestines. That’s when it can turn into a life-or-death emergency and your dog might need surgery right away.
Signs Your Dog Might Have Swallowed Something Bad:
- Repeated vomiting or trying to vomit
- Loss of appetite
- Weakness or acting “off”
- Belly pain (may whine or guard stomach)
- Constipation or trouble pooping
- Blood in vomit or poop
How Fast Should You Worry?
Here’s a quick table to help you decide:What Your Dog Swallowed Emergency Level What To Do First Batteries, sharp objects Extreme Go to vet immediately—no delay! Toys, fabric, string High Call vet; watch for symptoms Cooked bones High Call vet; don’t try to induce vomit Food items (e.g., chocolate) Moderate/High Check with vet—may need fast action Small, smooth things (pebbles) Moderate Monitor, but consult your vet
How To Stop Your Dog From Making This Mistake
Prevention is always better (and cheaper) than emergency surgery! Here’s what helps:
- Keep small, swallowable things out of reach
- Watch your dog during play, especially with toys that break easily
- Don’t give cooked bones
- Clean up after kids (toys, socks, crayons—yep, they’ll eat those too)
- Use trash cans with lids
- Teach “leave it” and “drop it” commands (super helpful)
Conclusion
Most of us never expect our dogs to eat something dangerous, but it happens all the time. A simple mistake can turn into an expensive, stressful trip to the vet—or worse. So it’s worth taking those extra few seconds to pick up stray objects, use covered trash cans, and keep a close eye on your dog’s play habits. If you think your dog’s swallowed something risky, don’t wait and see—call your vet. Trust me, it could save their life (and save you a ton of heartbreak).
