Your Dog's Favorite Toy Could Pose a Hidden Health Risk, Expert Warns
Newsweek · C · trust 37/100
0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. A pet owner's panic after discovering his dog had swallowed an AirTag is serving as a reminder that dogs can ingest dangerous objects in seconds, and according to a pet safety expert, the items most likely to cause life-threatening obstructions aren't necessarily the ones owners expect.
While electronic devices like AirTags—which essentially serve as key finders—require immediate veterinary attention if swallowed, Lindsey Wolko, founder of the Center for Pet Safety, said the organization's data points to a different culprit as the leading cause of gastrointestinal obstructions: pet toys made from indigestible materials.
"Manufacturers are now embedding those indigestible materials with flavors, scents and herbs…to encourage the engagement of the pet and reduce boredom," Wolko told Newsweek . "Embedding indigestible materials in this way is an exceptionally dangerous practice and should be discontinued."
The warning comes after Rob shared the heart-stopping moment he realized his golden retriever , Julie, had swallowed an AirTag, highlighting how quickly curious dogs can get themselves into trouble.
Rob told Newsweek that Julie accidentally swallowed the tracking device while playing with another dog wearing it on its collar. Rob said Julie has a habit of pulling accessories off, including the bandannas she gets after grooming appointments. During the roughhousing, the AirTag became detached, and before anyone could react or even notice, Julie gulped it down.
It wasn't until Rob returned home that the other dog's owners tracked the AirTag to his house, confirming Julie had swallowed it.
Dogs explore the world with their mouths, making them naturally inclined to investigate unfamiliar objects, especially those carrying interesting scents.
"If it smells edible or interesting, or smells of their human, dogs will frequently try it out," Wolko said. "They don't know any better, so it is up to pet owners to closely monitor their environment and not leave pets alone with anything that is potentially dangerous."
Even vigilant owners can find themselves caught off guard, as canines can snatch something up "in the blink of an eye."
Puppies are especially vulnerable because they have yet to learn what is and isn't safe to put in their mouths. Wolko recommends using containment, such as a dog crate , whenever young canines cannot be directly supervised.
Owners don't always witness their dog swallowing a foreign object, making it important to recognize the warning signs.
According to Wolko, symptoms of a potential gastrointestinal obstruction include:
If any of these symptoms appear—or if an owner suspects their dog swallowed something indigestible—they should seek veterinary care immediately.
"Time is of the essence to get your pet veterinary attention," Wolko said.
"The crazy part is that she never showed a single sign that anything was wrong," Rob said. "She was completely normal—playing, drinking water, eating her food, peeing, and pooping like always."
Even if a dog appears normal after swallowing a foreign object, Wolko recommends contacting an emergency veterinarian immediately.
If treated early enough, a veterinarian may be able to induce vomiting or remove the object with an endoscope before it causes a blockage. However, many cases ultimately require emergency surgery.
In Julie's case, the emergency veterinarian tried to induce vomiting before spending about two hours attempting to retrieve the AirTag with an endoscopy. When those efforts failed, Rob was told his dog would likely need emergency surgery.
"It was really scary," he said. "Nothing they tried worked. Then we had to think about surgery, all the risks involved and the recovery."
Hoping the AirTag would pass naturally, Rob took Julie home for several days before returning to the emergency clinic. Over the next five days, the device remained in her stomach, and because it was still functioning, Rob could even hear it pinging from inside her body.
In a stroke of luck, a human gastroenterologist happened to be at the hospital with his own dog and offered to assist. He successfully removed the AirTag, sparing Julie from surgery.
While many pets recover from gastrointestinal obstructions, not all do.
Most gastrointestinal obstruction surgeries reported to the Center for Pet Safety cost around $8,000, Wolko said. Because of these costs, the organization recommends pet owners build an emergency fund of approximately $8,000 to $12,000 for unexpected veterinary expenses and carefully review any pet insurance policy to understand what is or is not covered.
Foreign objects aren't the only threat lurking around the home.
Wolko also warned owners to watch for products containing xylitol, an artificial sweetener found in some sugar-free gum , candies and peanut butter. The ingredient may also appear on labels as birch sugar or sucre de bouleau .
"If your pet consumes anything with Xylitol, it is also a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate veterinary attention," she said.
While AirTags can become dangerous if swallowed, Wolko said pet owners shouldn't overlook the products designed specifically for their dogs.
She recommends routinely inspecting toys for signs of wear, discarding any that are breaking apart and seeking immediate veterinary care if a pet is suspected of swallowing anything indigestible. Acting quickly, she said, can make the difference between a straightforward procedure and a life-threatening emergency.
"I’m happy to say she’s doing great now!" Rob said. "She’s back to being her happy, energetic self… just staying a little farther away from friends wearing AirTags now."
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