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Last Updated on February 12, 2023
If your dog accidentally (or rather innocently) ate aluminum foil, you do really have an issue at hand. Common sense will tell you that it is a strong cause of concern since the dog’s stomach certainly cannot digest the foil if it even turns up in the stomach. But that is just one of the many reasons why aluminum foil is dangerous to your dog.
Why Is Aluminum Foil Dangerous To Dogs
One of the most obvious reasons is that dogs cannot simply digest the foil, right? You are right on this, but there are many other reasons why aluminum foil is dangerous to dogs. It might not be the foil itself, but the contents that are present in the foil.
When dogs consume aluminum foil, it can cause several problems in their digestive system. The first and most immediate problem is that aluminum foil can cause blockages in the dog’s intestines. This can lead to a build-up of gas, which can cause abdominal pain and discomfort.
In severe cases, the blockage can become so severe that it causes a complete obstruction in the intestines, which can be life-threatening. The foil can also cause damage to the dog’s digestive system, including perforations and tears in the intestinal walls.
1. Aluminum Foil Can Be Sharp And Large
If you have handled aluminum foil before, then you would know that it can be sharp, and hence when your dog starts to chew and eventually swallow it, the foil may cut the dog’s tongue, throat or even puncture the stomach. And if your dog has chewed the foil up into a foil ball and swallowed it, the foil can get lodged into the dog’s throat, hence choking it in the process.
2. Aluminum Is Toxic To Dogs
It is documented that aluminum is dangerous to dogs, and it can cause aluminum toxicity in dogs when they are being eaten by them. Some of the effects of aluminum toxicity include the dog falling into a coma or even death in extreme cases.
3. What Was The Foil Wrapping?
Of course, while we know that aluminum is toxic to dogs when consumed, we wouldn’t really know if the culprit is indeed the foil or is it due to the content that the foil was wrapping. If it contains food that is toxic to dogs, for example, butter, then it is highly possible that the contents itself will be harmful to the dog.
Some other common food types that use aluminum foil as a wrapping includes chocolates itself. As some of you may already know, chocolate is perhaps the most commonly available food that is toxic to dogs.
Symptoms of Aluminum Foil Poisoning in Dogs
If your dog has consumed aluminum foil, it is important to be aware of the symptoms of aluminum foil poisoning so you can seek veterinary care as soon as possible. Some of the most common symptoms of aluminum foil poisoning in dogs include:
- Abdominal pain and discomfort
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Weakness and fatigue
- Abnormal behavior
If you suspect that your dog has consumed aluminum foil, it is important to seek veterinary care as soon as possible. Your veterinarian will be able to diagnose the problem and provide appropriate treatment.
So, what are the steps that you can take if your dog ate aluminum foil?
Steps To Help Your Dog If They Ate Aluminum foil
In the event that your dog has decided to chew aluminum foil, whether in its whole or in its shredded format, it will be a cause of concern for you. Odds are high that the dog will just poop the shredded foil out, but this might take a while. But what about the ball of aluminum foil that they might have swallowed? What are the steps that you can take in order to help your dog?
Let us break down the steps needed for different possible scenarios.
You Know That The Dog Have Swallowed Shredded Aluminum Foil
If you know that the dog ate some of the shredded aluminum that is left lying around the house, you should first proceed to check for injuries in your dog’s mouth. This is important as some of the shredded metal can be sharp and could possibly injure your dog. If you do notice cuts in your dog’s mouth and you do not know how to handle it, we will suggest that you bring the dog to the vet for medical attention.
If assuming that there isn’t any cut, you can try to monitor your dog’s progress via its poop. If the shredded pieces of foil aren’t in the poop, you should then proceed to feed your dog with some bread to help line the stomach. Do ensure that the bread is moist and that you should not feed the dog with too much bread. This will definitely help your poor dog. You can also try to add corn oil onto your dog’s regular food so as to help lubricate her.
You Know That The Dog Have Swallowed Bigs Chunks Of Aluminum Foil
This is a little tougher as the chunks of aluminum foil are too big for the dog to pass it out smoothly. If this is the case, you should bring your dog to the vet immediately as they will have the necessary tools needed to extract the foil out.
You Have No Clue How Much The Dog Ate
If you do not have an eyeball to how much aluminum foil did the dog consume, the next best thing you can do is to bring the dog to the vet. But perhaps you can first monitor the dog’s condition. If the dog is choking or vomiting, it is a sign that they have consumed a large or big piece of foil, and of course, this warrants a visit to the vet.
There are some websites that advise you to induce vomiting from your dog. This is something that we highly discourage. This is because if the whole process is being done wrongly, it can actually cause more damage to your dog than helping them.
After Trauma Care
Once all the aluminum pieces or foil have ben extracted from the dog, it will be important for you to monitor the dog’s behavior or to provide continual care for the dog. In some cases, due to the necessity of vet intervention, your dog might be feeling stressed. Hence, providing after trauma care will be important to rehabilitate your dog.
Disclaimer: Tinfoil And Aluminum Foil Are Not The Same
Most of the foil that you see these days are made from aluminum. True enough, the main metal used in the foils in the past was tin. However, over the years, people have started to complain that tin is not that meanable as compared to aluminum, and somehow tin does affect the taste of the food that it has wrapped. As such, the main metal used in foils is now aluminum.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, aluminum foil can be a serious hazard to dogs if consumed. It is important to take the necessary precautions to prevent your dog from getting access to aluminum foil, and to be aware of the symptoms of aluminum foil poisoning so you can seek veterinary care as soon as possible if needed. With the right care and attention, you can help ensure the safety and well-being of your furry friend.
