We are all well aware of the fact that some dogs will eat just about anything. What you see as disgusting, your dog may very well see as an appetizing morsel. This can be a problem when it comes to things your pet may find discarded around your home. Things such as condoms.
So, why would your dog find a condom so appealing?
Think about it.
Dogs are descended from wolves, and wolves are carnivores, after all. They live to hunt, yet they are not above scavenging about for a bit of carrion as a ready to eat meal.
If your dog enters the bathroom, he may be attracted to the aroma of decaying organic material, such as may be found in a used condom, or even a discarded sanitary napkin, or tampon.
To them, this is only natural behavior. But it is you who will have to deal with the consequences of your pet’s actions.
What Happens If A Dog Eats A Condom?
Needless to say, it is not the organic material which poses the threat, but the artificial material carrying it. Latex condoms are highly indigestible.
The situation could be dangerous, or merely inconvenient, depending quite a bit on the size of the dog in question. A large dog may suffer virtually no ill effects at all, passing the offending synthetic material rather easily through his stomach and intestinal tract. A small dog, however, may experience real difficulties such as an obstruction.
A large lab, for instance, may just be able to lick his lips and go merrily on his way. A tiny Chihuahua may not be so lucky.
What To Do If Your Dog Eats A Condom?
If you believe your dog has eaten a condom, you should probably call your vet immediately. Your vet will be able to help you make the decision whether to induce vomiting or not.
You can induce vomiting by using three percent hydrogen peroxide solution, following instructions on the labeling. If the incident occurred within the past 90 to 120 minutes, inducing vomiting may be the most viable alternative.
After that, vomiting may not work, as a foreign object, the condom, has, in all likelihood, already passed on through the stomach and into the intestines.
And there is always the possibility that the condom may become lodged in the animal’s throat on the way out, causing him to choke. If you have chosen to, or been instructed to induce vomiting, you should make your pet upchuck into a container lined with a plastic bag.
This will allow you to examine, and perhaps have your vet test, the vomitus.
If he feels that inducing vomiting is not an option your vet may then recommend feeding your pet a high fiber meal to help push the object along to the end of its journey.
You will then have to carefully examine his feces for signs of the condom. You may, in fact, notice the whole condom, or pieces of it, in his poop. You may even notice the latex protruding from your pet’s anus but make no attempt to pull it out. The best you can do is to call your vet and have him instruct you on what to do in that case.
Signs To Look For
If your dog has maintained a healthy appetite, is behaving normally, and has managed to pass the condom, you probably have nothing to worry about. However, if you are the least bit concerned about anything, it is best to visit your vet. Peace of mind is priceless, after all.
The above advice is just fine if you know what your pet has consumed, and when he had his little unauthorized snack. But you may be unaware of his little culinary adventure until well after the fact.
There are a number of signs which will suggest your pet has consumed something he shouldn’t have.
The first sign of trouble is usually vomiting. Your dog may have much less of an appetite or may stop eating at all. He may exhibit signs of weakness, and develop diarrhea, a condition pleasant neither for him or you. . If you notice any of these symptoms, get your pet to a vie. Immediately!
What To Expect At The Vet?
Vets deal with all sorts of problems, from broken bones to dog’s eating glass (that’s right, this does happen more than you think). So don’t hesitate in taking your pet to the vet, you can never be too cautious when it comes to your beloved dog.
You may believe that you know exactly what your dog has, unfortunately, eaten to cause such problems, but your vet may very well want to perform some abdominal imaging to confirm the situation. He will need to see exactly what the foreign object is, and exactly where it is currently located in the digestive system.
This will help him to determine a course of treatment. If the object is still in the stomach, he may choose to induce vomiting. The vet may also choose to simply monitor the situation if it has not already progressed to a life-threatening proposition.
If the imaging has shown that there is a blockage involved, surgery may be your only option.
Once your pet is on the road to recovery, you may want to consider an alteration to the way you dispose of certain tempting (at least to dogs!) materials.
Consider disposing of them in a secure way, perhaps in a trash bin with a secure lid, or even in an enclosed cabinet in your bathroom.
On the plus side, now that all is well, you may feel free to make all the jokes you want about your pet’s eating habits.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Will It Take For A Dog To Pass A Condom?
A canine’s digestive system varies from dog to dog and breed to breed, but the average time for the food to be digested and pass through the system is eight to ten hours. This may vary considerably, being as little as four hours to as long as twelve hours.
Will My Dog Be Ok If He Ate A Tampon?
While it may seem off-putting to you, a tampon is no more dangerous than consuming a condom, and a dog will snack on one for the same reasons. Follow the same procedures described in the article above.
Can A Dog Poop Out A Tampon?
It is not uncommon for a dog to seek out and eat a used tampon. If you know for a fact that this has happened, call a vet and follow instructions. Watch for signs of digestive problems. Your dog may very well simply poop out the tampon, but if this hasn’t happened within seventy-two hours, consult your vet.
References
https://www.cuteness.com/13429548/what-to-do-when-your-dog-eats-a-tampon
https://barkpost.com/answers/dog-ate-a-tampon/#Why-oh-why-would-a-dog-eat-a-tampon-pad-or-condom
https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/health/digestion/the-canine-digestion-process/
