Dangerous Non-food Items for Dogs to Ingest

My Labrador retriever was a scavenger. She was notorious for eating non-food items. Many garden gloves and sports socks took a trip through her digestive system. During my dog's long life, I learned valuable lessons about the consequences of dogs ingesting non-food items.

The disorder of eating non-food items is officially called pica. As in the case of the garden gloves and sports socks, some non-food items can make the entire trip without causing damage to your pet. Other items can get lodged in a dog's intestinal tract and cause severe complications and even death.

Here is a list of the most dangerous non-food items for dogs to ingest.

String and similar items

There are many household uses for string or twine but these non-food items can be dangerous when ingested by your dog. If swallowed, the string may wind through the dog's intestines and grow taut during the natural digestive process. As the string tightens it can slice through the dog's intestines and allow contaminates to pass into the abdominal cavity.

Additionally, string can wrap around and trap items that may otherwise pass through your dog's system without harm. In the case of my Labrador, twine wrapped around a pinecone and a seashell and held the items in place. The twine prohibited her system from possibly passing the pinecone and seashell naturally. This caused a complete intestinal block and required emergency surgery. Happily she survived but I am careful not to leave string or related items anywhere that a dog can get into. Other harmful items similar to string include yarn, thread, ribbon, rubber bands, Christmas tree tinsel, Easter basket grass, embroidery floss, dental floss, window blind pulls and even panty hose.

Pennies

All pennies can cause intestinal obstruction in dogs but, according to the ASPCA, pennies minted after 1982 can be especially dangerous. Newly minted pennies contain a zinc core that is quickly disintegrated by the acid in a dog's stomach. The zinc is distributed into the dog's bloodstream and can cause zinc toxicity. Ingesting high doses of zinc can result in acute anemia and even kidney failure. Apparently post-1982 pennies are the only U.S. coins that pose a toxic threat to dogs. Just to be sure, however, keep all loose change out of your pet's reach.

Batteries

Batteries are ubiquitous and may be powering an item that is particularly tempting to your pet. Remote controls, clocks, watches and even some dog toys are battery powered.

If your dog chews a battery powered item or gets hold of a loose battery it can cause trouble. Batteries commonly contain potassium hydroxide which is a corrosive agent. If your dog chews into a battery and this corrosive material is released it can burn the animal's skin, lips, mouth, tongue and esophagus. To further complicate the danger of chewing batteries, the jagged metal casing is sharp and, if swallowed, could puncture or tear your dog's intestines.
The best way to avoid the potential dangers that batteries can cause is avoidance. Take an inventory of the battery powered items in your house and keep the items in places that are inaccessible to your dog. If you allow your dog to play with battery operated pet toys, do so under your supervision.

Sharp Objects

When a dog ingests a sharp object there is a risk of internal abrasions or a perforation of the intestinal tract. Depending on the shape, some sharp objects can pass through a dog's system without causing damage. But why take that chance? Prevention is always the best option.

You already know to keep broken glass, razor blades and sewing needles away from your pets. Other sharp objects to watch out for include battery casings, staples, paper clips, thumb-tacks, twist ties, light bulbs, earrings, nails, rocks, bones, wood skewers, tooth picks, tinfoil, Christmas ornaments and hooks, pinecones and seashells.

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Sources:

Personal experience
ASPCA - http://www.aspca.org/
PetPlace.com - http://www.petplace.com/dogs/guide-to-dog-symptoms/page1.aspx