You might be shocked if you look online to see the weirdest things household pets have eaten. The list is quite long for both dogs and cats. These little furry beasts can eat anything they put in their mouths: socks, pacifiers, toilet paper, a whole roll of poop bags, etc. The list initially appears amusing; however, some cases have turned funny to serious. When emergency medical procedures become necessary, the lives of these voracious little eaters are threatened.
What to Be Mindful Of
Your pets may suddenly and inexplicably experience pain, and you have been noticing missing things. It might be the right time for your pet to see a vet. Some pets can naturally pass or throw up the indigestible things they consume. However, in some cases, these things may get trapped somewhere in their gastrointestinal system.
Chewy Rubber Toys
Both cats and pet dogs enjoy the sensation of chewing rubber. It is known that vet surgeons have discovered pacifiers and foam darts inside stomachs. Make sure that toys such as these are all accounted for.
Rags, Shoelaces, and Other Fabrics
Cats are suckers for long and stringy things. If you catch an end of a shoelace or anything similar, do not pull on it as this may lead to internal damage. Look out for these as one end of these strings might be connected to a fish hook or a needle. On the other hand, pet dogs can swallow entire socks, rags, and rope toys.
Bones and Small Rocks
These are not digestible! Both can pass naturally, but there are some cases where these build up inside the stomach and cause serious damage like tearing and internal bleeding.
Poisonous Plants and Human Food
Suppose your family pets are allowed to explore the outdoors, even more so in woody locations. In that case, there might be encounters with poisonous plants. Furthermore, household pets exert effort to get to those leftovers, whether on tabletops or in the garbage. Food poisoning in dogs is more than simply vomiting and diarrhea. They can experience seizures, anemia, and even temporary paralysis or weakening of muscles.
Contaminated Food, Containers, Etc.
Some family pets help themselves to other animals’ food and even to poop. If they are unfortunate, chances are, these may carry viruses or microorganisms that can infect them with a life-threatening illness.
Protecting Our Pets
Continue reading to know how we can give our pets the necessary safeguarding.
Vaccinate and Medicate
It cannot be stressed enough: get the important cat and dog shots. Illnesses such as feline herpesvirus can originate from dirty water and food bowls and are highly contagious within their litters. It might save their lives if they are secured with complete vaccines and preventive parasite medication.
Know Your Emergency Vet Details
If your pet is notorious for this behavior, ensure that your emergency vet numbers are on hand. Suppose you see that your pets are experiencing symptoms, such as a swollen stomach, lethargy, inability to eat, etc. In that case, this might be the time to contact your vet. This can even be handy if your pets show signs of common illnesses.
Medical Help
In scenarios like these, the veterinarian will inspect your pets utilizing ultrasound, x-ray, or an endoscopy. If it does not solve itself naturally, surgery may be needed. For quick healing after treatment, cold laser therapy in Norristown can be found here.
The Bottomline
We can not control what our pets eat all the time. We can pay more attention to their surroundings and be mindful of what they can reach. Constantly be ready for these situations. These furry clowns might be fortunate one time, but it is much better to stay away from any kind of risks.
