My Dog Ate a Sock or Toy: What to Do

Dogs swallow objects for many reasons: boredom, curiosity, teething, anxiety, or because the item smells like their person. Soft, stringy, or large items are of particular concern. A sock can stretch and bunch up in the intestines. Rope, string, and ribbon can cause linear foreign bodies, where the intestines gather around the string and can be damaged. Hard or sharp objects can cause injury as they move through.

Smaller dogs are more at risk, because even a small item can block a narrow gut. But large dogs are also affected, particularly by large items such as socks, balls, and corn cobs. Whether an object passes depends on its size, shape, and material, and on the dog.

Stay calm, and act methodically. The details you gather will help your vet decide what to do.

1. Stop your dog from eating any more, and check their mouth for remaining pieces.
2. Work out what was eaten: the type, size, and material, and whether it has sharp edges.
3. Estimate when it happened.
4. Note your dog's weight, age, and any health problems.
5. Call your veterinarian or an emergency clinic straight away, and follow their instructions.
6. Do not try home remedies, and do not make your dog vomit unless told to.

Note: If your dog is choking, gagging repeatedly, or struggling to breathe, go to an emergency clinic immediately.

It can be tempting to try to bring the object back up, but doing so at home can be dangerous. Sharp objects can injure the throat on the way up. Your dog may inhale vomit into the lungs, causing pneumonia. Some home methods, such as salt water, are unsafe, and can cause poisoning. Your vet will decide whether inducing vomiting is appropriate, and can do it safely, with medication.

Treatment depends on what was eaten, how long ago, and how your dog is. Your vet may recommend monitoring at home, with specific signs to watch for. They may induce vomiting in the clinic, if the object is safe to come back up, and it was swallowed recently. They may take X-rays or an ultrasound, to find the object, though soft items such as socks do not always show up clearly. Endoscopy can sometimes retrieve an object from the stomach. If the object is stuck in the intestines, surgery may be needed.

The sooner you call, the more options there are. Early treatment is often simpler, less expensive, and safer.

Signs can develop over hours or days. Contact your vet at once if you see any of these.

• Repeated vomiting, especially after eating or drinking.
• Loss of appetite, or refusing food.
• A tense, swollen, or painful belly, or a hunched posture.
• Straining to pass stool, little or no stool, or diarrhea.
• Lethargy, whining, or hiding.
• Drooling or gagging.

Most incidents are preventable. Keep laundry, shoes, and small items out of reach, and close doors on rooms with temptations. Give your dog plenty of appropriate chews and toys, sized to prevent swallowing, and replace damaged ones. Make sure your dog gets enough exercise and enrichment, since bored dogs are more likely to chew.

Teach a strong leave-it and drop-it, rewarding your dog for giving things up. Trade rather than chase, so that your dog does not learn to swallow things to keep them. If your dog regularly eats non-food items, talk to your vet, since it may be a behavioral or medical issue, such as pica.

Not all objects carry the same risk. This guide is not a substitute for veterinary advice, but it can help you describe the problem.

• Socks, underwear, and stockings: stretch and bunch, and often cause blockages.
• String, thread, ribbon, and dental floss: can cause linear obstructions, a serious emergency.
• Small toys and balls: can lodge in the throat or the intestines.
• Corn cobs and fruit pits: a leading cause of obstruction.
• Sharp objects, such as bones and toothpicks: can pierce the gut.
• Batteries and magnets: a different type of emergency, needing immediate care.
• Plastic and rubber pieces: may pass, or may block, depending on size.

Owners often worry about cost, and delay calling. But early treatment is usually less expensive and safer than waiting. If your dog has pet insurance, call the clinic first, and check the policy later. If cost is a concern, tell the vet honestly, and ask about options, such as monitoring, payment plans, or referral. Do not delay care for an object that may be dangerous.

Make a habit of scanning the floor before you leave. Keep a basket for laundry with a lid, shut bedroom doors, and use baby gates. Swap worn toys for new ones, and avoid toys with parts that can break off. Give your dog regular exercise and mental stimulation, and practice drop-it daily. If your dog eats things constantly, speak to your vet about medical and behavioral causes.