🐕 The Weird Things Dogs Eat — And When You Should Worry
If you have a dog, you probably already know that their definition of “food” can be… questionable. 😂
Socks? Delicious.
Grass? A refreshing salad. 🌱
A random mystery object found in the yard? Obviously a snack.
Dogs explore the world with their mouths, and sometimes that curiosity gets them into trouble.
While some strange things pass without a problem, others can cause intestinal obstruction, poisoning, choking, or serious illness.
So, what should you do when your dog eats something they absolutely should not have?
🧦 Socks, Underwear & Other Clothing
Unfortunately, dogs don't seem to understand that laundry belongs in the hamper.
Clothing can become lodged in the stomach or intestines and cause an obstruction.
Some dogs may vomit, stop eating, become lethargic, or have trouble passing stool—but they may not show obvious symptoms right away.
If you know your dog swallowed clothing, contact your veterinarian rather than waiting to see what happens.
🪨 Rocks, Toys & Other Objects
Some dogs are professional scavengers.
Rocks, pieces of toys, plastic, string, rubber, and other non-food objects can become stuck in the digestive tract.
String and ribbon are especially concerning.
They can cause serious damage to the intestines and should never be pulled if you see them hanging from your dog's mouth or rectum.
🌱 Grass
A little grass-grazing is common for many dogs.
Some dogs simply enjoy the taste or texture, while others may eat grass when they're experiencing stomach upset.
Occasional grass eating isn't necessarily a problem,
but frequent or excessive grass eating
especially when accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, poor appetite, or other changes
deserves a conversation with your veterinarian.
And please make sure your dog isn't eating grass that has been treated with pesticides, herbicides, or other chemicals.
💩 Poop
Yep. We're going there. 😂
Some dogs eat their own poop—or the poop of other animals.
It's gross, but occasional stool eating isn't automatically an emergency.
However, eating feces can expose your dog to parasites and other infectious organisms, depending on the source.
If your dog suddenly starts eating poop or does it frequently, talk with your veterinary team so they can help determine why.
🍫 Human Foods
Dogs don't always know which snacks are safe.
Some foods that can be dangerous to dogs include:
Chocolate
Grapes and raisins
Xylitol-containing products
Onions and garlic
Certain nuts
Alcohol
Large amounts of fatty foods
If your dog eats something potentially toxic, don't wait for symptoms to appear.
Contact your veterinarian or an animal poison-control resource for guidance.
🦴 Bones
Bones can cause problems even when they're marketed as treats.
They can break teeth, become lodged in the mouth or throat, cause choking, or injure the digestive tract.
Cooked bones are particularly risky because they can splinter.
If you're looking for something for your dog to chew, ask your veterinary team about safer options.
🧪 Medications & Household Products
This is one of the situations where time matters.
Human medications, cleaning products, chemicals, certain plants, pesticides, and other household substances can be toxic to pets.
Never assume that because your dog seems fine, they're in the clear.
Some toxins don't cause noticeable symptoms immediately.
If you suspect your dog has been exposed to something toxic, contact your veterinarian right away and have the product or packaging available if possible.
🚨 When Is It an Emergency?
Call your veterinarian promptly if your dog has eaten a potentially toxic substance or a non-food object that could cause an obstruction.
Seek emergency veterinary care if your dog is experiencing signs such as:
Difficulty breathing or choking
Repeated vomiting
Severe abdominal pain
Collapse or extreme weakness
Significant bloating
Blood in vomit or stool
Inability to keep water down
Severe lethargy
And remember: don't induce vomiting unless a veterinary professional specifically tells you to.
For some substances and objects, vomiting can actually make the situation worse.
🐾 The Bottom Line
Dogs are curious. Dogs are opportunistic. And apparently, dogs have absolutely no respect for the concept of “that's not food.” 😂
If your pup ate something questionable, don't panic—but don't ignore it either.
When in doubt, give your veterinary team a call.
We'd much rather answer a “probably silly” question than have you wait until your pet is seriously ill.
Because around here, we've heard just about every “my dog ate WHAT?!” story imaginable. 😂❤️🐾
410-452-5801