Why Does Dog Eat Aluminum Foil?
Dogs usually ingest aluminum foil out of curiosity or by accident. Dogs are curious and may chew or swallow aluminum foil because of its taste or appearance.
In addition, some dogs may ingest aluminum foil as food residue, especially when handling garbage or eating food.
Dogs often donโt know what is and isnโt edible because they use their sense of smell to find food and canโt always tell what is safe to eat. Moreover, they may ingest something harmful because curiosity.
What Happens When Dogs Eat Aluminum Foil?
If your dog eats aluminum foil by mistake, it could block its stomach or intestines, causing problems like vomiting.
Sharp aluminum foil can injure a dog’s stomach and intestines, causing bleeding and infection. In severe cases, it may create holes in the stomach.
If aluminum foil in the trachea or bronchus, it will cause breathing difficulties, suffocation, etc.
If left unattended, aluminum foil will slowly dissolve in the dog’s body, releasing toxic aluminum ions and causing metal poisoning. The main signs are less appetite, weakness, vomiting, Long-term poisoning will affect the nervous system and kidney function.
Is Aluminum Foil digestible?
Puppys generally cannot digest aluminum foil, and ingesting it can be seriously harmful to their health. If a puppy eats aluminum foil, it can block its stomach and cause vomiting, stomach pain, and loss of appetite.
Aluminum foil has sharp edges that can scratch the inside of the intestines, leading to bleeding and pain. It also contains aluminum, which can be bad for the nervous system and bones, and sometimes it can be highly serious.
If your puppy eats aluminum foil, call your vet right away and tell them how much was eaten. They might suggest watching for symptoms or taking an X-ray to check where the foil is and if surgery is necessary.
Can Eating Aluminum Foil Kill a Dog?
Aluminum foil ingested by puppys can cause serious health problems, even potentially fatal ones. Aluminum foil can hurt a puppy’s stomach, causing serious problems like injuries, blockages, or poisoning. Therefore, while not every case will result in death, it is potentially dangerous. If you suspect your puppy has ingested aluminum foil, seek medical attention immediately.
How Long Does it Take for Poisoning to Appear?
After a puppy ingests aluminum foil, the following symptoms of poisoning may occur, along with their time frame:
- Immediate symptoms (within 1-2 hours):
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
The aluminum foil is irritating and blocking the dog’s digestive system, causing these initial symptoms.
- Short-term symptoms (within 12โ24 hours):
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Intestinal bleeding
Aluminum starting get into the bloodstream, leading to stomach issues.
- Long-term symptoms (within 1โ7 days):
- Kidney damage
- Liver damage
- Nervous system problems (seizures, convulsions)
- Difficulty breathing
If not treated promptly, long-term exposure to aluminum can lead to systemic poisoning and organ failure.
It is important to note that the severity and timing of symptoms will vary depending on the following factors:
- The amount of aluminum foil ingested
- The size and age of the puppy
- The puppy’s pre-existing health
- If your puppy eats aluminum foil, get help right away. Symptoms of poisoning can get worse fast and be highly dangerous. Prompt medical attention is critical.
What To Do If My Dog Eats Foil
Step 1: Stay calm
Generally speaking, dogs who eat aluminum foil will have a stomach upset, which they will pass through in their poop. So you should try to stay calm; panicking will only hinder your decision. If your dog is not choking and in pain, you should definitely stay calm.
Step 2: Learn how much dog ate
Dogs often eat random things, such as wax paper, parchment paper, tin foil, etc. When you find that your dog may have eaten aluminum foil, you should take it out of his mouth immediately. Search the trash can and the kitchen to figure out how much he has eaten. This will help the dog see a doctor sooner.
Step 3: What happened
Look at what’s on the foil to determine the severity of the situation. If your dog eats foil with chocolate, grease, or anything else that might hurt them, you need to take care of it right away.
Step 4: Contact a Veterinarian
If your dog looks okay after eating aluminum foil and isn’t acting sleepy, confused, or choking, you should call the vet. If your dog is choking, follow the vet’s first aid advice and go to the hospital right away. Even if you can help with choking, you should still call the vet for an X-ray or endoscopy to check for blockages.
| Doctors usually let your puppy pass the aluminum foil on its own or give medicine to help. If your dog eats something and can’t get it out, they may need surgery to remove it. |
Step 5: Monitor your dog’s condition
If your dog spits out some of the foil, you should also keep a close eye on it. Even if he no longer spits out the foil, it may be just a small portion of what he ate. Check your dog’s stool for aluminum foil. If you find some and your dog seems fine otherwise, he is healthy.
Keep watching your puppy and tell your vet about any problems to understand what’s happening or if his health changes a lot. Some symptoms that may occur after a dog eats aluminum foil include:
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Pain
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal distension
Some potential problems you should also be aware of are:
- Aluminum toxicity
- Depression
- Lung heat
Your dog may show signs of discomfort in ways that may be hard for you to detect. This is why you need to seek medical attention and monitor his behavior and condition at all times.
How to Prevent Your Dog From Eating Aluminum Foil
Keep items with aluminum foil, like food packaging and cooking tools, away from dogs, such as in high cabinets or closed rooms. Don’t let puppys look for food on the table or eat human food because they might end up eating aluminum foil.
Feed your dog at the same time and in the same amount every day to prevent them from becoming picky or craving junk food. Also, regularly check your floors and corners to remove any small items that your dog might eat, which can keep them safe.
Once you find that your dog has a tendency to swallow foreign objects, stop it in time and guide it to correct it. Also, keep a close eye on your dog’s eating and bathroom habits so you can spot any problems early.
Even if you are careful, accidents may happen. So, it’s important to know how to handle emergencies if your dog eats metal objects by mistake. Have the right medicines and equipment ready so you can act quickly if needed.