As a dog owner, it’s not uncommon to worry about our furry friends getting into things they shouldn’t.
Whether it’s a sock or a hair tie, sometimes our pups can’t resist the urge to eat something they shouldn’t.
This recently happened to my dog, so this event has prompted me to write this article for other owners out there. With the help of our resident veterinarian here at The Puppy Mag.
In this article, we’ll go over:
➡️ What to do if your dog ate a hair tie
➡️ How hair ties are a choking hazard
➡️ How they impact the digestive system
➡️ What if you dont know how many hair ties your dog has eaten
➡️ When it is IS and ISN’T an emergency
➡️ How to prevent it from happening in the future
How hair ties are a choking hazard
Hair ties are typically made of an elastic material, which can stretch and become tangled in your dog’s throat. This can create a blockage in their airway, leading to difficulty breathing, coughing, and gagging. In severe cases, the blockage can be life-threatening.
It’s important to keep an eye on your dog and prevent them from playing with hair ties, especially if they like to chew on things.
If you notice your dog has a habit of chewing on household items, it’s important to provide them with safe toys to play with and to supervise them when they’re exploring the house.
Ultimately, If your dog swallows a hair tie, it’s important to seek veterinary advice. This is to be safe than sorry.
As I’ll cover below, hair ties might not always pass through the system on their own.
How hair ties impact the digestive system
If your dog swallows a hair tie, it can become tangled in their digestive system, leading to a blockage. This can cause discomfort, vomiting, and in severe cases, can even lead to intestinal rupture.
If you suspect your dog has swallowed a hair tie, it’s important to monitor them closely and watch for any signs of distress.
These may include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and lethargy. If your dog is showing any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek veterinary care immediately.
Your vet may recommend a variety of treatments, depending on the severity of the situation. In some cases, they may be able to remove the hair tie through a non-surgical method, such as inducing vomiting. However, in more severe cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the blockage.
Will a hair tie pass through on it’s own?
It is not recommended to wait for the hair tie to pass on its own at home. Hair ties can cause serious problems in a dog’s digestive system and can even become life-threatening if left untreated.
While not every case is an emergency, it’s still advised to get help from a veterinarian.
In some cases, a small hair tie may pass through a dog’s digestive system without causing any issues. However, it’s impossible to know for sure whether or not the hair tie will cause a blockage or other problems.
It’s always best to err on the side of caution and seek veterinary care as soon as possible if you suspect your dog has swallowed a hair tie or any other foreign object.
Your vet can perform an examination and determine the best course of action to keep your dog safe and healthy.
What if you aren’t sure how many hair ties they have eaten
If you’re not sure how many hair ties your dog has eaten, it’s important to monitor them closely and watch for any signs of distress. You can also contact your vet for advice on the best course of action.
Your vet may recommend bringing your dog in for an examination, where they can perform x-rays or an ultrasound to determine how many hair ties are in their system. They may also recommend inducing vomiting to help remove any hair ties that are still in your dog’s stomach.
If your dog has eaten multiple hair ties, surgery may be necessary to remove the blockage. It’s important to seek veterinary care immediately if you suspect your dog has eaten multiple hair ties or if they are showing signs of distress.
When it is and isn’t an emergency
If your dog has eaten a hair tie, it’s important to assess the situation and determine whether it’s an emergency or not.
If your dog is showing the following signs it’s important to call your veterinarian immediately for further advice.
If your dog is indicating that they are struggling to breathe properly, go immediately to your nearest animal emergency center.
- Distress
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty breathing
- Unexpected and unusual behavior
However, if your dog seems fine and is acting normally, you can monitor them closely and watch for any signs of distress.
It’s always better to err on the side of caution and seek veterinary care if you’re unsure.
It’s also important to note that if your dog has eaten a hair tie or any other foreign object, you should never induce vomiting without consulting your vet first.
Some objects can cause more damage coming back up, and your vet will be able to recommend the best course of action.
Preventing this in the future
Preventing your dog from eating hair ties in the future is key to keeping them safe and healthy. Here are some tips to help prevent this from happening:
- Store hair ties in a secure location where your dog can’t get to them.
- Supervise your dog when they’re playing with toys or exploring the house to prevent them from getting into things they shouldn’t.
- Provide your dog with plenty of safe chew toys to keep them occupied and satisfy their natural chewing instincts.
- Teach your dog the “drop it” command and practice it regularly. This can help prevent them from picking up and swallowing objects they shouldn’t.
- Consider crate training your dog when you’re not home to prevent them from getting into things they shouldn’t.
By taking these preventative measures, you can help keep your dog safe and prevent them from swallowing dangerous objects like hair ties.
Last thoughts
As a dog owner myself, I know how scary it can be when your furry friend swallows something they shouldn’t. It’s important to take action immediately if you suspect your dog has eaten a hair tie or any other foreign object.
Remember, prevention is key to keeping your dog safe and healthy. By providing your dog with safe toys to play with and supervising them when they’re exploring the house, you can help prevent accidents like this from happening.
If your dog does happen to swallow a hair tie, don’t hesitate to seek veterinary care. Your vet can determine the best course of action and help keep your dog healthy and happy.