“My dog ate a balloon.” Those are words you never want to hear, and they’re unsurprisingly common ones! After all, dogs get into mischief all the time, ingesting things they shouldn’t.
Training your dog can help mitigate these behaviors, and keeping your pup entertained while you’re away can, too. But if your dog has already gotten into the birthday decorations, you’ll need to know what to do. Here’s what you need to know about what to do if your dog swallows a balloon.
If your companion tends to chew and eat everything up, these articles might be helpful: “My Dog Ate a Baby Wipe. What Should I Do” and “What To Do When Your Dog Ate a Sponge.”
What Are Balloons Made Out Of?
As you prepare for a birthday, graduation, or other celebration, you likely reach for the latex balloons. They’re affordable and festive, and they’re fun no matter your age!
Unfortunately, the party balloons you buy are made of the latex that comes from rubber trees. The elasticity of a balloon makes them versatile and able to be inflated to such great sizes. However, their stretchiness is also what makes them dangerous if consumed. Balloons have even been considered unsafe for the environment as their latex residue is often littered on the ground and can be consumed by unknowing animals.
If your companion consumed coconut oil or grass, we linked several solutions for you.
Are Balloons Bad For Dogs?
As with almost all other non-food items, balloons should not be consumed by dogs. The latex material, or whatever material the balloon is made out of, can cause a blockage in their through, stomach or intestines as they attempt to digest it.
In many cases, too, you may hear the words “my dog ate a balloon” and learn that that includes the string! The ribbon, string, or yarn may also cause issues for your pup if it’s ingested. Dogs should be closely monitored around balloons, particularly if they are not blown up yet or if they have been popped and the pieces of the balloon are laying on the ground. Of course, it naturally follows that your dog should be kept away from rubber bands or gloves at all times.
More Dog-Related Questions: Are Dogs Allowed in Home Depot and Are Dogs Allowed in Lowe’s?
What To Do After Your Dog Ate a Balloon
“My dog ate a balloon!” Well, as sneaky as dogs are, they can eat what they shouldn’t very quickly before you can even stop them. If you notice that your dog has eaten a balloon, it’s essential to act on the situation as soon as possible. The sooner you can help get the piece of latex out of your dog’s system, the better and easier it will be. Keep in mind that the size of the portion of the balloon your dog has consumed will determine the level of severity of the situation.
In any event, eating a whole balloon piece before it being blow up or another significant part of latex will result in a much more difficult situation. If you have a small dog, the size of the balloon does not matter; get them to a veterinarian as soon as possible.
If you’ve noticed that your dog has eaten a bit of a latex balloon, your window for action is only about 1-2 hours before the situation becomes particularly severe. Here are some of the first steps you should take once you realize your dog has eaten a balloon.
1. Call Your Veterinarian
One of the most important things to do first is to call your veterinarian. Explain the situation and be sure to get clear direction as to what to do next. It’s vital to make this call as soon as possible before your dog’s digestive system begins to try to pass the balloon. Quick action is critical when your dog eats something that it should not have eaten. If you wait longer than two hours, chances are the latex balloon will already be in the intestines.
2. Note Any Side Effects
Even if you didn’t see your dog eat the balloon, his intestinal discomfort might still be very apparent to you. Symptoms of ingesting something that they cannot digest include things like vomiting or abdominal pain. He may be constipated or appear very tired and lethargic. Excessive drooling can also be a sign that something is stuck in there through or digestive system. These symptoms, in particular, are reasons to call up your veterinarian.
3. Pass it Through
If the balloon piece was small enough, there is a chance that it can pass through their digestive system and come out in their feces. If you don’t notice any adverse side effects such as nausea or lack of appetite or energy, that may be a sign that your dog can pass the piece of the balloon through easily enough. If you notice their stool is particularly water or loose, ensure that they have enough water to get dehydrated.
Drinking water and eating specific foods to help in digestion can also help them get the balloon pieces out easier and quicker. While a dog may not always pass the balloon’s piece through, this way is preferred and does not require an additional procedure. Make sure you monitor your dog’s health throughout the process.
4. Vomit it Up
When you call the vet and tell her your dog swallowed a balloon, she may prescribe an emetic. An emetic is a drug or substance that will cause your dog to vomit. We do not recommend that you induce vomiting without the direction of a professional, as it’s not always effective and can even be dangerous.
Your veterinarian may suggest providing something for your dog to make it get sick and vomit up the piece of the balloon before it can get into the intestines. While inducing vomiting is not always the right choice, it can be a way to get the piece of the balloon out fast. If your dog has any other underlying health concerns or is not responsive to the method, you may want to seek an alternative option. As with any time your dog vomits, be sure to give them plenty of water so that they do not become dehydrated.
Related: Is Hydrogen Peroxide Safe For Dogs?
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for a dog to digest a balloon?
In most cases, your dog won’t “digest” a balloon but instead will pass it through his system. Generally speaking, from the time your dog ate a balloon to the time your dog passes the object is typically between two and three days.
My dog ate a balloon – what are the risks?
If your dog ate a balloon, he is at risk for intestinal blockage, respiratory blockage, and ultimately death. It’s best to seek a vet’s guidance if your dog ate a balloon or other foreign object.
Are latex balloons toxic?
Sorta kinda. According to the FDA, “exposure to emitted vapors of chemicals such as acetone and benzene whether on extended or prolonged exposures poses potential health hazards to people especially children.” These chemicals, found in balloons, can affect dogs too.
Conclusion For “My Dog Ate a Balloon”
Like most other non-food items, latex balloons should not be ingested by dogs. Their intestines cannot break down the material, resulting in severe blockage and other concerning side effects. When you have balloons around your dog, be sure to monitor them and what they eat.
Prevention is key! If you notice a balloon has popped or that your dog has popped a balloon, remove the balloon before they can pick it up. If you see that your dog has taken a bite of a balloon, be sure to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Take care of your dog by monitoring their health and behavior. While balloons can be fun, hearing “my dog ate a balloon” can ruin a party in no time at all!
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To learn more about this subject, watch “25 Harmful Foods Your Puppy Shouldn’t Eat” from Alpha Paw down below:
Dr. Sabrina Kong graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in England in 2016 and has been working at a small animal clinic in Northern California since then. She grew up in the Bay Area and got her bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She also became a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner through a program at the University of Tennessee.
When she isn’t in the clinic taking care of her four-legged patients, she enjoys traveling and trying new foods with her friends and her three-legged dog, Apollo. She adopted Apollo from her clinic when he was a puppy with numerous health issues. Dr. Kong truly cares about taking care of animals.