My Dog Ate Aluminum Foil: What Should I Do?

Inedible items gives you headaches lately although you have never considered this to be an issue.

Most of the time, this happens because food remains wrapped up in foil and your dog doesn`t always make the difference.

A lot of our pooches eat their way through tin foil to get to those contents inside that are so delicious.

Sadly, our furry friends will end up more often than never with tiny aluminium foils in their small bellies until they have finished their meals. (Team, 2022)

My Dog Ate Aluminum Foil: Should I Worry?

Before anything else, try not to concern yourself too much! Aluminum foil in itself isn`t considered toxic, regardless of any online rumors you may have heard about. (“Dog Ate Aluminum Foil | What to Expect If Your Dog Ate Tin Foil”, 2022)

In most situations, a tin foil eaten by your canine might only end in an upset stomach. (“What You Should Do If Your Dog Eats Aluminum Foil”, 2022)

Still, you may want to keep an eye out for your canine companion not to choke, but this can be an issue only if a large amount of tin foil was consumed. (Team, 2022) Also, other more acute problems might occur, such as intestinal obstructions, so it`s best to pay attention to any possible signs. (Crnec, 2022)

Your dog might also experience a medical condition known as pica. This occurs when animals feel “forced” to consume inedible foods, such as dirt, paper, metal, garbage, rocks, or feces. (“Pica In Dogs: Symptoms, Causes, & Treatments – DogTime”, 2022)

Will a Dog Pass Aluminum Foil?

We mentioned above that aluminum foil can lead to an upset stomach. This also means that this inedible item will be passed through your dog`s poop. (“What You Should Do If Your Dog Eats Aluminum Foil”, 2022)

Your dog`s reaction will also depend on its size. If your furry friend has a large-sized canine, a tiny piece of aluminum foil won`t probably even be noticed through its feces. (“Dog Ate Aluminum Foil | What to Expect If Your Dog Ate Tin Foil”, 2022)

How Long Does It Take a Dog to Pass Aluminum Foil?

In most situations, the process will be quick, painless, and without any medical issues to be concerned about. (Hawk, 2022)

As Marcinkiewicz (2022) claims, the whole issue should take about 24 to 48 hours, depending on each individual canine. Still, it`s essential to supervise your little pal as closely as possible.

Note: You need to get in touch with your vet if you suspect your dog has consumed tin foil.

Why Could Tin Foil Be Dangerous to a Canine?

As Woodnutt (2022) clearly states, one reason for which aluminum foil might be harmful to your canine pooch is because it can lead to intestinal blockage, meaning it could block your canine`s gut.

Puppies and dogs of smaller breeds, specifically, are more predisposed to experience such an obstruction. This is mainly because their gut is a lot narrower than that of large-sized dogs. (Marcinkiewicz, 2022)

Dog Ate Tin Foil: Throwing Up!

At this point, it`s quite useful to know how much tin foil your dog ate. Small aluminum foil pieces shoudn`t led to any issues and should pass right through sooner or later. (“My dog just threw up about 15 minutes ago and it is aluminum foil. It is small bits. He is a 87 pound Rhodesian.”, 2022)

Check your pooch for other symptoms than vomiting, such as loss of appetite or lethargy. Your dog shouldn`t experience any intestinal blockage at this point, especially if your little pal consumes tin foil which has been balled up. (“Dog Ate Aluminum Foil | What to Expect If Your Dog Ate Tin Foil”, 2022)

As LaRock (2022) advises, if you are sure your canine companion has vomited the entire amount of foil, your buddy should be free of any issues.

However, if your dog has started experiencing one of the signs above while also vomiting, it`s best to call your veterinarian right away. (“Dog Ate Aluminum Foil | What to Expect If Your Dog Ate Tin Foil”, 2022)

Does Tin Foil Dissolve in Stomach Acid?

Simply put, no! Tin foil won`t dissolve in your little friend`s stomach and will have to pass through the dog`s gut in a natural way or be removed through surgery by a vet. (Marcinkiewicz, 2022)

According to Villazon (2022), the tin foil which is usually used to wrap various products will “retaliate” with the hydrochloric acid present in the dog`s stomach up to a certain point. However, this isn`t really something to worry about.

What to Do?

If you just came home and see your little pal eating food chocolate or other items wrapped in tin foil, there are things you could do to stay on the safe side. (Marcinkiewicz, 2022)

Just follow these steps, and don`t hesitate to call the nearest veterinarian if you are concerned:

• Check your pooch: If it happened for your canine to eat tin foil, and it seems to be in respiratory issues, has pale gums, seems to be choking, or finding it difficult to take breaths, it would be wise to take the little one to your nearest vet.

If your dog is vomiting, you should tell this your veterinarian. (Woodnutt, 2022)

• Cleaning up: To ensure your pooch don`t consume any more of this foil, maybe it`s a good idea to get rid of any traces, food scrapes included
• Gathering some info may help: Try and find out the amount of aluminum foil that has been consumed. In addition, it`s best to figure out when your dog may have consumed it. (Marcinkiewicz, 2022)
• Monitor your fluffy friend closely: Normally, any missing tin foil that may have been consumed by your canine should pop out on its other end. This shouldn`t always be easily noticeable; still, it`s a good move to check it out anyway. (Team, 2022)
• Call the veterinarian: If you have even the least concern, you should still check with your vet. Be certain to let your veterinarian know your canine`s breed and age. Also, tell your vet if the little one is experiencing any out-of-the-ordinary abdominal behaviors. (Woodnutt, 2022)

Aluminum Foil & Dogs: Interesting Facts

In most cases, your dog should be kept away from tin foil. It`s not something that the little one really needs, and besides, it might do your dog harm if left unattended.

However, there`s a situation where tin foil can be a good friend if your dog likes messing around with your chairs or sofas, according to Miksen (2022).

Most dogs dislike the shiny aspect or reflective surface of the aluminum foil, so you can use it to cover your furniture while training your canine to stay off of them.

Final Word

So, our today`s topic was this inquiry: “my dog ate aluminum foil!” We hope we managed to take you closer to the desired answer.

Keep in mind that if your canine companion consumes objects that are inedible on a regular basis, this might be a sign of a specific health disorder, and your dog needs to be seen by a veterinarian.

Reference List:

Crnec, I. (2022). Ask the Vet: My Dog Ate Aluminum (Tin) Foil. Dog Discoveries. Retrieved 3 April 2022, from https://dogdiscoveries.com/health/my-dog-ate-aluminum-foil.

Dog Ate Aluminum Foil | What to Expect If Your Dog Ate Tin Foil. Extreme Electric Dog Fence 2021 DIY – Kits. (2022). Retrieved 5 April 2022, from https://www.extremedogfence.com/my-dog-ate-aluminum-foil/.

Hawk, M. (2022). My Dog Ate Aluminum Foil: What Should I Do Now?. Animal Nerdz. Retrieved 3 April 2022, from https://animalnerdz.com/dog-ate-aluminum-foil/.

LaRock, A. (2022). My Dog Ate Aluminum Foil – What Do I Do?. Amber LaRock. Retrieved 5 April 2022, from https://emergencyvetsusa.com/dog-ate-aluminum-foil/.

Marcinkiewicz, E. (2022). Yikes! My Dog Just Ate Tin Foil! What Should I Do Now?. LoveYourDog. Retrieved 3 April 2022, from https://www.loveyourdog.com/dog-ate-tin-foil/.

Miksen, M. (2022). Keep Dogs Off Furniture With Aluminum Foil | Cuteness. Cuteness.com. Retrieved 7 April 2022, from https://www.cuteness.com/blog/content/keeping-dogs-off-furniture-using-aluminum-foil.

My dog just threw up about 15 minutes ago and it is aluminum foil. It is small bits. He is a 87 pound Rhodesian.. JustAnswer.com. (2022). Retrieved 5 April 2022, from https://www.justanswer.com/pet-dog/21tc3-dog-just-threw-15-minutes-ago-aluminum.html.

Pica In Dogs: Symptoms, Causes, & Treatments – DogTime. DogTime. (2022). Retrieved 2 April 2022, from https://dogtime.com/dog-health/57125-pica-dogs-symptoms-causes-treatments.

Team, B. (2022). Help — My Dog Ate Tinfoil! What Should I Do? Does He Need to Go to the Vet?. K9 of Mine. Retrieved 2 April 2022, from https://www.k9ofmine.com/dog-ate-tinfoil/.

Villazon, L. (2022). If you ate your Christmas chocs too quickly and swallowed some foil, would you die?. Sciencefocus.com. Retrieved 5 April 2022, from https://www.sciencefocus.com/science/if-you-ate-your-christmas-chocs-too-quickly-and-swallowed-some-foil-would-you-die/.

What You Should Do If Your Dog Eats Aluminum Foil. Frenchiestore. (2022). Retrieved 2 April 2022, from https://frenchiestore.com/blogs/pets-blog/what-you-should-do-if-your-dog-eats-aluminum-foil.

Woodnutt, J. (2022). My Dog Ate Aluminum Foil! Here’s What to Do (Vet Answers). Hepper. Retrieved 4 April 2022, from https://www.hepper.com/my-dog-ate-aluminum-foil/.