My Dog Ate A Scrunchie [This Is What You Need To Do]

If you have noticed that your dog has eaten a scrunchie, naturally you’re going to be concerned. What is likely to happen to your dog and how do you respond; is there anything you need to do or will it pass through them, on its own? Well, here’s everything you’ll want to know to help your dog.

So, what do you need to do if your dog ate a scrunchie? If your dog has eaten a scrunchie, they may be able to pass it depending on the size of your dog and the size of the scrunchie. The best thing to do is keep a close eye on your dog for the next few days to make sure it passes safely out of his system. Scrunchies can cause choking or intestinal blockages, though, so contacting a vet may be required for surgical treatment.

Ultimately, you are going to need to keep a close eye on your dog.

A very close eye indeed.

You need to monitor for any changes in behavior, and you’re going to need to ensure that they are not struggling or suffering, in any way.

If you even suspect that they may contact a vet. Right away.

Don’t delay.

Besides, you can’t take chances on their health like this.

Hopefully, your dog should be all okay; but it’s not worth taking any risks.

So with this in mind, let us continue to explore scrunchie eating and what an appropriate response really looks like.

Why Do Dogs Eat Scrunchies?

Dogs usually eat scrunchies out of curiosity or boredom. Puppies are especially likely to chew on new objects, even more so when they’re teething.

Eating Scrunchies Out Of Curiosity

Dogs are naturally curious, and they enjoy sniffing and mouthing things to identify them.

While we experience the world in various ways, dogs primarily explore their environments through their mouths.

Puppies, in particular, are prone to chewing on new objects to see what they taste like.

A teething puppy can seek out various things to chew on to relieve aching gums.

And scrunchies can easily be found on the floor or in other places where a puppy or older dog can easily pick them up.

In addition, dogs and other pets don’t always realize that swallowing an unknown object might be dangerous.

If your dog finds an object interesting, he may decide to swallow it as if to say, “This looks fun, why not eat it!”

Eating Scrunchies Out Of Boredom

Dogs can also eat scrunchies when they’re bored, as they require lots of mental stimulation to keep them happy and occupied.

Without dog-friendly toys available, dogs may decide that scrunchies are fun to play with and nibble on, especially if they smell like you.

Small dogs also enjoy playing with stretchy items and may try to eat them.

Some dogs are more likely to ingest foreign objects than others.

There are dogs who will eat socks, undies, meat skewers, glue – you’d be amazed at what dogs will eat.

Some vets have removed over 50 hair ties from a dog’s stomach!

What Will Happen To A Dog That Eats A Scrunchie?

Most of the time, nothing much will happen to a dog that eats a scrunchie, as it will naturally pass out of his system. Sometimes, if a scrunchie has caused a blockage in a dog’s digestive tract, it can cause extreme discomfort and can even be life-threatening.

Risks of Eating A Scrunchie

Scrunchies are a problem because of their elasticity.

The elastic means they can get tangled up, potentially causing an obstruction.

The scrunchie could leave the stomach and make its way into the intestinal tract, where it can get stuck.

If a scrunchie causes a blockage, it can be very dangerous and can lead to:

• Acute discomfort
• Severe dehydration (loss of fluid)
• Rupture of intestines
• Severe lacerations of the digestive tract
• Kill off surrounding tissue (necrosis)
• Bacterial infection (peritonitis)
• Death

What Will Happen At The Vets To A Dog That Eats A Scrunchie

If you bring your dog to the vet after he’s eaten a scrunchie, the vet will usually perform a physical exam.

Usually, a vet will do an ultrasound or radiograph to confirm the presence of a foreign object.

If the scrunchie is the right size and is still in your dog’s stomach, the vet may do an endoscopy.

An endoscopy involves inserting a thin tube with a clasping mechanism and a camera down your dog’s throat to try and get the object out.

Your vet will be able to do this carefully so as not to damage the esophagus.

Your vet will also give your dog plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration and perhaps some medication to ease pain, nausea, or vomiting.

Sometimes your vet may induce vomiting in your dog if the object is still in the stomach.

Don’t try this yourself, though!

If your vet feels that the object has been inside your dog for too long, they may resort to surgery with general anesthesia.

Surgery is the only way to open the intestine or abdomen to remove the blockage safely.

Will A Scrunchie Pass Through A Dog?

As long as the scrunchie doesn’t get trapped, blocked, or tangled, it will usually pass through your dog’s digestive system. Dogs can digest many items that human beings can’t. However, you’ll still need to monitor your dog’s bowel movements.

When Scrunchies Pass Through A Dog

Because scrunchies are made of soft material, they can usually pass through your dog, provided your dog isn’t a small breed.

The bigger your dog is compared to the size of the scrunchie, the more likely it is that the scrunchie will pass through your dog.

When Scrunchies Are A Problem

Scrunchies can become tangled or trapped inside your dog’s digestive tract.

If your dog is small, or if he’s eaten several scrunchies, they can become entangled inside him and cause digestive problems.

Vomiting Up Scrunchies

Sometimes dogs will vomit up a scrunchie, so keep an eye on your dog for this.

At least if he vomits it up, you know it won’t cause any further problems!

How Long It Takes For A Scrunchie To Pass Through A Dog

Scrunchies and other foreign objects can take anywhere from 10 to 48 hours to pass through your dog’s digestive tract. The length of time depends on the size of the scrunchie, how many your dog has eaten, and if the scrunchie gets stuck.

Because the time can vary widely, you need to let your vet know that your dog has swallowed a scrunchie.

Keep your vet posted, and if your dog shows any signs of abdominal obstruction (see below), go to the vet urgently.

Blockages in your dog’s digestive tract can cause his health to decline very quickly, so they are a serious matter.

What To Do Now Your Dog Has Eaten A Scrunchie

If your dog has eaten a scrunchie, the first thing to do is to make sure he hasn’t swallowed it. If he’s already swallowed the scrunchie, tell your vet. You’ll need to monitor him carefully over the next 24 hours. If you see the scrunchie protruding from your dog’s bottom, don’t try and remove it yourself. Follow your vet’s recommendations if your dog needs any treatment.

Check Your Dog Hasn’t Swallowed The Scrunchie

If you act immediately, you may be able to get to the scrunchie before your dog swallows it.

It may look like your dog has swallowed the scrunchie, but you might be able to reach it at the back of his throat.

Look inside his mouth and see if you spot the scrunchie.

If you can see it, you may be able to reach your hand into your dog’s mouth and get it from the back of his throat before he swallows it.

Be sure to remove it gently, doing your best not to transfer your worry to your dog.

Don’t Give Your Dog Any More Food

If you are sure your dog has eaten a scrunchie, tell your vet so that they are aware.

Then, don’t give your dog any more food until the problem is resolved.

You want to avoid an intestinal blockage at all costs, and food could become clogged around the scrunchie, preventing your dog from passing it or vomiting it up.

Monitor Him Carefully For 24 Hours

If your dog has already swallowed the scrunchie, you’ll need to watch your dog closely for any signs of abdominal obstruction.

While scrunchies are smooth objects which normally can pass through your dog, they can get stuck.

If your dog is small, or if he’s eaten several scrunchies at once, he’s more likely to develop a blocked digestive tract.

Signs of abdominal obstruction include:

• Loss of appetite
• Bloating
• Vomiting (especially repetitive vomiting from not being able to keep water down)
• Hunching over
• Whining
• Diarrhea
• Weakness

If you observe any of the signs described above, get your dog to the vet immediately.

Don’t Try to Remove A Protruding Scrunchie

Never try to remove a scrunchie (or any other foreign object) if it’s protruding from your dog’s rectum.

If you pull on it, you could cause your dog serious damage.

After Vet Treatment

If your dog has had to have any kind of intervention or treatment at the vet, follow your vet’s recommendations and continue to monitor your dog.

Don’t take your recovering dog on runs or long walks for a few days – keep physical activity lower than usual.

Give your dog some bland, dry food (no treats) for a few days before going back to his usual diet.

If your dog has lost a lot of fluids (which is common with an intestinal blockage), offer him lots of fresh water so that he stays hydrated.

To Avoid Future Problems

While you can never remove all sources of temptation, you can make sure your dog has large toys such as rawhide or dental chews that he can’t swallow whole.

Finally

Dogs are curious and need to be kept sufficiently stimulated.

Otherwise, even inanimate objects like scrunchies can be eaten.

While this may sound odd, it is something that happens more often than you might think.

So aside from ensuring your dog cannot get access to these kinds of things in the future if your dog has eaten a scrunchie, your immediate concern should be monitoring how your dog reacts following ingestion.

Keep a close eye on them and do consider contacting a vet; particularly if your dog is young, small, or has digestive complications or issues anyway.

Concerned or wondering what other things your dog can/cannot eat. Check out my related guides below:

• My Dog Ate A Rubber Band
• Dog Ate A Balloon
• My Dog Ate A Napkin
• My Dog Ate A Baby Wipe
• My Dog Ate A Bandaid
• Dog Ate Toy Stuffing
• Dog Ate Play-Doh