If your dog has eaten toilet paper, you will need to know how to respond.
It might not seem like a big deal at the time, but your dog could be in a great deal of danger. When you get the facts, you will be able to keep them safe.
What Are the Dangers of my Dog Eating Toilet Paper?
One of the biggest concerns when it comes to your dog eating toilet paper is an intestinal blockage. If they eat a lot of toilet paper at once, this could become a major issue. Intestinal obstructions are potentially fatal if they are not addressed quickly.
The absorbent nature of this paper means that it could expand inside of your dog’s stomach. This can cause all sorts of problems with their health.
Reasons That Dogs Eat Toilet Paper
There are several common reasons that dogs eat toilet paper that you’ll want to know about. This will provide you with some valuable insight into your pet’s behavior.
1. Pica
Pica is a medical condition that causes a dog to chew on and eat a variety of things that it normally wouldn’t show any interest in. This can range from pieces of wood to the toilet paper in your bathroom.
The main reason that pica is such a concern for dog owners is because of all the dangers that are associated with ingesting non-digestible items.
Some of the more common symptoms of pica in dogs include:
- Burping
- Excessive drooling
- Diarrhea
- Bad breath
- Ulcers
- Vomiting
- Black, tarry stool
- Constipation
If you suspect that your dog has pica, you’ll want to take them to the vet for a proper diagnosis. Your veterinarian should be able to prescribe medication that will help with managing your pet’s condition effectively.
2. Boredom
There is also a chance that your dog is eating up toilet paper in your home because it is bored. If your dog isn’t receiving enough attention and stimulation on a daily basis, they can act out in very destructive ways.
The best way to remedy this situation is to simply spend more time with your dog each day. It is important that you carve out time to play with them and make sure they get plenty of exercises. A high energy dog that isn’t enough adequate exercise on a daily basis can get into a lot of trouble.
3. They Are Stressed Out
Stress can cause dogs to behave in all sorts of strange and destructive ways as well. Certain types of dogs are more prone to stress than others, but it can affect any breed. Your dog might be stressed over an addition to the house, such as a new pet or even a baby.
This could be your dog’s way of acting out because it is jealous. There’s also a chance that a new dog in the house is bullying it, which in turn is causing them a great deal of stress.
4. Poor Diet
If your dog isn’t getting all of the nutrients it needs from its food, you will need to make a change right away. Some dogs that have a nutrient deficiency end up eating all sorts of things around the house.
It is very important that you spend a decent amount of time looking for the right food to give your pooch. Make sure that you take a close look at all of the different ingredients in each food so you end up picking the right one.
5. They Have Fun Eating Toilet Paper
The explanation for this behavior could be as simple as your dog enjoys doing it. Some dogs just like tearing things up. This is most likely due to their natural hunting instincts. No matter how domesticated these animals are, they still retain some of their primal urges. This is especially common with puppies.
What Should I Do If My Dog Eats Toilet Paper?
When you see your dog eating toilet paper, you should try to get it out of their mouth as quickly as possible. Try to determine how much of this paper your dog ate. If you are fairly certain they ingested a lot, you should take them to the vet immediately.
If you aren’t sure about how much toilet paper your dog consumed, you’ll want to keep a close eye on them for the next day or so.
Look for signs of illness or intestinal blockage, including:
- Persistent vomiting
- Lethargic behavior
- Lack of appetite
- Constipation
- Bloating of the stomach
- Diarrhea
- Whining
All of the above symptoms are definitely cause for concern. The sooner you take your dog to the vet, the more likely they will be to pull through without any serious complications.
How to Keep Your Dog from Eating Toilet Paper
If you want to keep your dog from eating toilet paper, it is important that you keep the bathroom door closed. You should store any packages of toilet paper in cabinets so your dog cannot get to it. This is by far the most effective way to prevent this issue in the future.
Conclusion
- The biggest issue with your dog eating toilet paper is an intestinal blockage, which can be very serious.
- Pica is a medical condition that can cause dogs to chew on and eat lots of different items, including toilet paper.
- If you suspect that your dog has pica, you’ll want to take them to the vet to get looked at.
- It is possible that your dog is eating toilet paper as a way of getting attention because it feels neglected.
- If you don’t provide your dog with enough exercise each day, it might act out by eating things like toilet paper.
- There is a chance that your dog is eating toilet paper because it feels stressed or anxious for some reason.
- If your dog isn’t getting all of the nutrients it needs from its food, it might start eating random things around the house.
