When you hear the word “tampon,” it’s easy to think it’s just another product that dogs can quickly ingest. However, this is only sometimes true. Many types of substances can be dangerous if ingested by your pet.
One of these items is tampons which contain plastic materials and chemicals that could cause serious health problems if consumed by your dog.
Tampons are a type of feminine hygiene product that many women use to absorb blood from their menstrual cycle.
Depending on the brand and type of product, they may be referred to as tampons, pads, or sanitary napkins. Tampons can be made from materials like cotton, plastic, and rayon.
If your dog ingests tampons, it could experience several health problems, including intestinal blockages, perforation, and bleeding.
Tampons are not digestible, which means they will pass through your dog’s body without being absorbed. This can cause serious health problems if they eat too many of them.
Tampons also have chemicals and plastic materials that could irritate your pet’s stomach or intestines if eaten in large quantities.
Contact your veterinarian immediately if your dog has consumed a tampon. Your dog will fare better the sooner you act.
Is My Dog in Danger of Eating a Tampon?
If your dog ate a tampon, it’s essential to get it out immediately. A tampon can cause digestive issues in dogs and lead to other health problems like Vomiting or Diarrhea.
If you don’t remove the tampon from your dog within 24 hours of ingestion, it will become lodged in its intestinal tract, leading to an infection that may be difficult for you or your vet team to treat.
The longer you wait, the more serious the situation becomes. Tampons can also cause toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a rare but life-threatening human condition. The risk of this happening to dogs is very low, but it’s still important to remove the tampon as quickly as possible.
If you notice any symptoms of TSS, it’s essential to seek immediate medical attention. The symptoms include fever, Vomiting, and Diarrhea. Your dog may also have Redness on his skin and a sore throat or mouth ulcers.
It’s crucial to get your dog checked out as soon as possible if you have any health concerns about him. The key to a dog’s health is regular checkups and proper care. You must see a veterinarian as soon as possible if you detect any changes in your pet’s behavior or if he gets sick.
Symptoms that your Dog ate a Tampon:
If your dog ate a tampon, it’s likely to have some of the following symptoms:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea (or not eating and drinking)
- Lack of appetite or Loss of energy
- Redness in the mouth or on the gums
- Loss of coordination
- Dehydration
- Lethargy or depression
It’s critical to take your dog to the clinic right away if he displays any of these symptoms.
It’s also important to be prepared if your dog eats a tampon. You must always keep a first aid kit with you and make sure it has the following items:
- A small bowl of water (in case your dog is Vomiting)
- Hydrogen peroxide (to induce Vomiting if necessary)
- Stomach acid reducer or over-the-counter anti-nausea medication (if your dog doesn’t throw up within an hour of eating the tampon).
- Epsom salts (to help relieve constipation).
- A clean, warm towel.
What Should I do if my dog ate a tampon?
If you find out that your dog has consumed a tampon, it’s essential to take him to a veterinarian. Your veterinarian can assess the damage and determine whether surgery is necessary.
The vet will also be able to determine if the tampon caused an infection and prescribe antibiotics.
If the tampon is stuck and not visible in your pet’s mouth, your vet may look down his throat using an endoscope (a long flexible tube with a tiny camera).
If your vet can’t find the tampon by palpating—feeling with her hands—your dog’s intestine, she may order an X-ray to try to locate it (tampons don’t show up on X-rays, but food or gas trapped in the intestinal wall will).
Your veterinarian may give you an emetic, a medication that causes Vomiting if they establish that the tampon was only consumed recently and hasn’t passed along.
If your dog vomits up the tampon, it may recover quickly. However, if the tampon has become stuck farther along in the digestive tract and surgery is necessary.
If the tampon is stuck in your dog’s intestines, you may need to take him to a vet. If it’s stuck higher up, surgery will be necessary. Surgery is also necessary if your dog has consumed more than one tampon or other foreign objects that might cause obstruction.
How can I Prevent my Dog from Eating a Tampon?
As with any dangerous object, you can’t prevent your dog from eating a tampon. But you can reduce this risk by keeping feminine hygiene products out of reach and away from curious noses.
Keep your dog out of the bathroom. Keep the door to your bathroom closed.
If you must leave the door open for convenience, keep feminine hygiene products out of reach and away from curious noses.
Put items like tampons away in drawers when not in use. Keep them on high shelves or behind closed doors, making them less accessible to dogs.
Spray dog repellent around the rim of your trashcan. Spray dog repellant around the rim of your trashcan to keep dogs out of your bathroom. The scent will discourage them from going near it.
Use baby gates or childproof locks on cabinets with feminine hygiene products. Put these items in drawers or cabinets with childproof locks installed so such curious noses can’t open them.
Get a pet-proof trashcan to keep your bathroom free of litter. This is extremely useful if you have a little dog who enjoys leaping up on things or getting into mischief.
FAQs:
Q: How long will it take my dog to pass a tampon?
A: If your dog ingests a tampon, it could take a couple of hours and a day for him to pass it. The longer it is in his stomach, the more likely he will become constipated and have trouble passing it.
Q: Do dogs eat bloody tampons?
A: Yes, they do. Dogs are attracted to the scent of blood and eat anything that smells like it to survive. It is essential to keep your tampons out of reach when you are menstruating because dogs will try to eat them if left alone with them.
Q: What happens if a dog eats period blood?
A: If your dog eats period blood, it is unlikely he will get sick. However, you should call your vet just in case. Cotton, the material used to make tampons, is safe for dogs to consume.
Q: What happens if you leave a tampon for too long?
A: If you leave a tampon in too long (beyond the recommended eight hours), there is a chance that it could become lodged inside your dog and cause an infection.
Q: Can a large dog pass a tampon?
A: Yes, a large dog can pass a tampon. However, it is unlikely that he will swallow one, and you should oversee your dog if you notice any changes in his behavior or appetite.
Q: Why are dogs so attracted to period blood?
A: This is a ubiquitous question, and it’s one we get asked quite a lot. There are many theories about why dogs are so attracted to period blood.
One theory is that dogs have an innate sense of smell that allows them to detect the hormones in menstrual blood. Another theory says that dogs can detect natural scents like pheromones in blood and find them appealing.
