Oh no! My dog ate paper! Is it so bad?
As pet owners, we can’t help but worry when our dog eats something he shouldn’t eat.
But at times like these we must try to calm down and not panic as our dogs will be able to feel it and they will also panic.
Dogs are curious animals by nature.
But sometimes they can get too interested. Some dogs may play with random things out of curiosity.
This blog takes a look at everything you need to know if your dog has ever eaten paper.
We’ll cover whether a piece of paper is dangerous for dogs, how to prevent them from eating it again, and more.
Without further ado, let’s get straight to the point!
My dog ate paper: Why do dogs eat paper?
Before we discuss what you should do if your dog eats paper, let’s first address why dogs eat paper.
Is it delicious for them? Or is it because they are curious?
There are many reasons why dogs eat paper.
Below we have listed the possible reasons why dogs eat paper.
itches in dogs
Pica is a common behavior problem in which a dog constantly eats non-food items.
To be considered pica, the dog must ingest the item, not simply chew it.
They could eat metal, plastic, clothing, paper, and more.
The most common causes of pica are mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, boredom, stress, or extreme hunger.
However, it can also be caused by disease, parasites, or nutritional deficiency.
Boredom, anxiety or stress
When left alone, dogs suffering from anxiety, stress, or separation anxiety may display destructive behaviors.
Many dog breeds, such as the German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, Border Collie, and more, are prone to separation anxiety.
Destructive behaviors include chewing on furniture, tearing clothing, and eating paper.
Boredom in dogs can also be to blame.
Bored dogs will find ways to entertain themselves.
However, their way of entertaining themselves may be through chewing on paper, shoes, clothing, furniture, and other destructive behaviors.
low calorie diet
Dogs that do not receive adequate food in terms of caloric content can lead to hunger.
If dogs don’t get food or don’t get enough food, they tend to chew and swallow paper to satisfy their hunger.
playing with paper
One of the simple reasons dogs eat paper is because they play with it.
Some dogs like the sound and feel of shredded paper.
And if your dog loves to tear paper with his mouth, he may accidentally eat a small piece.
flavors
If you wrap the food with paper towels, it will keep the smell and taste of the food.
That’s when Fido will start to consider it a treat.
Dispose of used paper towels and napkins properly to prevent your dogs from eating them.
Possible health problems
nutritional deficiencies
Another reason dogs eat paper is due to a nutritional deficiency.
Dogs that eat paper may crave foods they don’t eat.
Paper is made from trees and plant materials that can smell and crave.
They may also be very hungry because they don’t get adequate food.
polyphagia
Dogs that always beg for food and appear hungry even after meals may suffer from polyphagia.
Polyphagia is the term used when a dog is extremely hungry all the time.
endocrine disorders
Another of the health problems that will make your dog feel hungrier than usual are endocrine disorders.
Dogs may eat non-food items to satisfy their hunger.
For example, increased appetite is one of the symptoms of Cushing’s disease.
Dogs will become hungry, begging for food or ingesting anything, even non-food items like paper.
Diabetes
Another health problem that can increase a dog’s appetite is diabetes.
Diabetes can make your dog hungrier since his body can’t use the sugar in his bloodstream.
Is eating paper dangerous for my dog?
Again, if you see your dog eating paper, remember not to panic.
According to veterinarians, “normally, Dogs digest paper quite well.” However, it can be problematic if your dog eats a lot.
One dangerous effect that can occur when your dog eats a lot of paper is intestinal obstruction.
Intestinal obstruction (also known as intestinal obstruction) usually occurs when a dog’s stomach or intestines become partially or completely blocked.
The more paper your dog eats, the greater the risk of getting a blockage.
Food or waste cannot move through the digestive tract when this happens.
Symptoms of intestinal obstructions include vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, bloating, abdominal pain, and more.
Also, chemicals are another concern to be aware of when your pup ingests paper.
Be careful about the type of paper your dog ate because some papers may contain chemicals that can be toxic and harm your pup.
Printed paper is a no-no because of the ink.
These types of paper should not be eaten and the ink used to create them can be toxic.
On the other hand, other types of paper, such as paper towels, can also pose a risk as they contain formaldehyde and chlorine, which are toxic when ingested.
What to do if your dog ate paper
Contact your vet immediately if you suspect your dog has ingested any paper products.
Foreign objects, such as paper, can cause intestinal obstructions or chemical problems.
If you’re worried about your dog and don’t know what to do next, follow the steps below to make sure your pup is safe and doesn’t suffer long-term harm.
Remove access to Paper
The first step is to make sure they don’t eat more paper. Hide these paper products where your dog can’t find or reach them.
If your pup loves to litter, try using trash cans with lids to deny him access to it.
Find out what kind of paper and how much
The next thing to do is determine what type of paper your dog ate and how much.
Check if they ingested paper that contains chemicals.
It’s best to write down all of these notes, including the type of paper, other ingredients (if any), how much paper your dog ate, and when he ate it.
These data will be very useful for veterinarians to properly assess the situation.
monitor their poop
Check your stool to see if the paper has passed.
They should have approved it within 24-48 hours.
If you don’t see any paper in your stool, this may be a problem.
But it can also mean that they have digested the paper, since other types of paper can easily break down.
Check for signs of blockage
If you have already seen the paper pass through their feces, you should be on the lookout for signs of intestinal obstruction.
Remember that a partial block will allow some material to pass, but a full block will not allow anything to pass.
call your vet
When we are concerned or if something happens to our dog’s health, it is best to go immediately to the vet.
If your pup ate paper, contact your most trusted vet, as they will be able to discuss the situation with you and decide whether or not it is necessary to bring your pup to the clinic.
Your vet will most likely ask you to come to the clinic for an examination if you have a small dog that has eaten a large amount of paper or if your dog is showing symptoms.
How to prevent my dog from eating paper
When it comes to any danger or disease, it is better to prevent it than to find a cure.
You can prevent your dog from eating paper by eliminating access to all kinds of paper products in your home.
When you leave your pup home alone, remember to close the bathroom doors to prevent him from eating or messing up the tissues.
Also, your dog may be eating paper out of boredom.
If that’s the case, provide them with interactive puzzle toys to entertain them.
You also need to provide your pup with the proper nutritional balance.
If you’re not sure what to give, check with your vet or a pet nutritionist.
My dog ate paper: frequently asked questions
Will my dog be okay if he ate toilet paper?
Small amounts of toilet paper can easily go through your dog.
However, large amounts can cause problems, such as intestinal obstruction.
See your vet immediately if your dog has eaten any foreign objects.
Why do dogs eat paper and socks?
If your dog eats paper, clothes, socks and other objects, it can suffer from Pica.
Pica is a behavioral problem in dogs that constantly eat non-food items.
What happens if a dog eats plastic?
Plastic is very harmful to dogs since it is not digestible.
It won’t rot in their stomachs.
It can cause intestinal obstruction, mouth lesions, choking, gastrointestinal perforations, and more.
My dog ate paper: before you go…
“My dog ate paper! That I have to do?”
The first thing you should do is calm down and carefully assess the situation.
There’s no need to panic just yet.
Small amounts of paper can normally pass through your pup.
However, if your dog ate a lot of paper, this can be a problem.
The first thing you should do is monitor your puppy.
Look for signs of discomfort such as vomiting, diarrhea, or refusal to eat or drink.
If you see these signs, take Fido to the vet right away because they could be symptoms of intestinal obstruction.
But if your dog is behaving normally, you should still monitor his feces and check if the paper has passed.
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