My Dog Swallowed A Scrunchie: Can They Pass It Themselves?
As a dog owner, nothing is scarier than your dog eating something they shouldn’t have. You will most likely be left wondering if your dog can pass the object. If your dog has eaten a scrunchie, you are probably concerned and wondering if this is something they can pass on their own or if a vet visit is needed.
Can a dog pass a scrunchie?
A dog can potentially pass a hair scrunchie on their own, but this is dependent on the size of the hair scrunchie and the size of your dog. If your dog has consumed a hair scrunchie, it is best to call your vet immediately for advice.
Knowing what to do in the event your dog swallows a hair scrunchie is vitally important in making sure you do not have a pet emergency.
If your dog has recently swallowed a hair scrunchie, it is important not to panic. Anytime your dog eats a foreign object it can be alarming, but it is important to remain calm.
Since a hair scrunchie is a soft item, your dog can potentially pass it without any issues. This is also dependent upon the size of the scrunchie and the size of your dog.
If the scrunchie was large and you have a small breed of dog then you may need to take your dog to the vet to have the scrunchie surgically removed. However, if it was a small scrunchie and you have a large breed of dog then the dog may be able to pass the scrunchie without an issue.
The best first step after your dog eats a scrunchie is to give your veterinarian a call. They can advise you as to whether you can just keep an eye on your dog or if you should bring your dog in immediately.
How Quickly Will A Dog Pass A Hair Scrunchie?
If your vet advises you to keep an eye on your dog then you might be wondering how long it will take your dog to pass the scrunchie through their system.
Typically if a dog eats a foreign object, it can take anywhere from 12 to 48 hours to pass through their system. This will depend on how large the scrunchie was and if it gets lodged anywhere in your dog’s digestive tract.
You will want to pay attention to your dog each time they go to the bathroom for the next 12 to 48 hours in order to be sure that they passed the entire hair scrunchie.
What Signs Should You Look For When Monitoring Your Dog?
While you are waiting for your dog to pass the hair scrunchie, there are certain changes in their behavior you should look for which might indicate that the scrunchie is causing issues for your dog.
Keep an eye out for vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, excessive panting or drooling, loss of appetite, and straining to go to the bathroom. These are signs that the hair scrunchie has gotten stuck somewhere in your dog’s digestive tract and is causing a problem.
If you notice any of these things then you need to call your veterinarian and take your dog in as soon as possible.
Why Do Dogs Eat Foreign Objects?
Dogs are known to sometimes eat almost anything they can get their mouth on. There are a few reasons why your dog may be trying to eat anything they find on the ground including a hair scrunchie.
Boredom
If your dog has been stuck inside all day while you are at work or the weather hasn’t been good enough to go for a walk then they are probably bored. Dogs that are suffering from boredom are more likely to eat things they shouldn’t because they are just trying to find something to do to entertain themselves.
A great way to cure boredom for your dog is to provide them with plenty of toys that are safe for them to chew on and will not harm them if they happen to ingest some of it. If you are able to be home and spend time with your dog then you can also try using brain games. Buy a toy puzzle or lick mat to keep them occupied for a longer period of time.
It is important to get your dog outside for walks as much as possible so try to take them on a daily walk even if it is early morning or later evening. This will help them to burn off some energy and make them less likely to want to eat something they shouldn’t.
Curiosity
This can be especially true with young dogs or puppies, but sometimes they ingest foreign objects simply out of curiosity. If it is something they have not seen before then they want to examine it and put it in their mouth to see if it is edible.
Occasionally dogs will pick up items like hair scrunchies and just chew on them, but not ingest them. If you have a puppy, it is important to keep anything you do not want them to chew or ingest out of their reach because they will try to get into almost anything.
Risks of Dog Eating A Hair Scrunchie?
There are several risks involved if your dog eats a hair scrunchie. It can be critical for a dog of any size or age and the risks begin almost immediately.
Choking
Almost immediately after eating a scrunchie, your dog is at risk of it becoming lodged in their throat. This can lead to them choking on the hair scrunchie.
Blockage
The most common risk of a dog eating a hair scrunchie is it creating a blockage in their intestines. If it is too large to pass through your dog’s intestine, it will just stop and then anything that is consumed after that will also stop and this can create a large blockage of not only the hair scrunchie, but food and stool.
Infection
It is rare, but if the hair scrunchie has metal pieces on it, it could lead to a perforation in your dog’s intestine. If this happens and it is not resolved as soon as possible then your dog could potentially get an infection.
How Will A Vet Remove A Hair Scrunchie?
Depending on how large the scrunchie is and where it is stuck, the vet will have a couple of options in order to remove the hair scrunchie.
If the hair scrunchie is not far into the dog’s intestine, some veterinarians can remove the scrunchie by means of endoscopy, which is much easier on the dog.
However, if the hair scrunchie has become lodged in the intestine or perforated the dog’s intestine then your dog will most likely require abdominal surgery to remove the hair scrunchie and repair any damage that has occurred.
