​​​My dog ate sand what should I do?

Does your dog love sand? Does your dog love to eat sand? Sand isn’t meant for eating! But how bad actually is it to ingest? Let’s talk about it!

 

My Dog Ate Sand What Should I Do?

If you suspect your dog has eaten too much sand, don’t fret! Call your vet and notify them of your concern. Keep an eye on them for the next few days. Look for signs of sand impaction, like dehydration, vomiting, bloody stool, hard stomach area, lethargic etc. If your dog has any of the symptoms call your vet right back and they will have you bring your dog into the vet right away.

 

How Dangerous Is It For A Dog To Eat Sand?

Sand is very heavy and compacts in the intestines,

making it hard for the flow of food and water going through the body. Usually small amounts of sand are fine, say you got some on the tennis ball you throw for them or they dig around getting sand in their mouths. This is fine, however a large amount of sand can cause a blockage and become very dangerous.

Is Eating Sand More Dangerous For A Dog Than Drinking Sea Water?

Saltwater poisoning is very dangerous to dogs and can be fatal. While both eating sand and drinking salt water could result in death, drinking salt water tends to be more commonly done. It’s easier for dogs to get saltwater poisoning than it is to ingest a fatal amount of sand.

How Do I Stop My Dog From Eating Sand?

It’s hard to make sure your dog doesn’t eat any sand when you go to the beach. The only thing you can do is monitor your dog constantly when you’re at the beach and do not leave him/her unattended. If you’re extremely worried about it, you can muzzle your dog when they are around sand.

Do I Need To Take My Dog To The Vet If He Eats Sand?

It is OK for your dog to consume small amounts of sand. If you bring your dog to the beach, don’t freak out if they lick some off their paws, or grab a tennis ball with sand on it. Now, your dog is sitting there consistently eating sand then you may have a problem. Take your dog to the vet if they:

 

• Start vomiting coffee ground looking substance
• Start vomiting blood
• Have severe stomach pain or bloating
• Loss of weight
• Pale gums
• Dark stool (Black and darkened soil can be very serious as it means there is likely internal bleeding)

My Dog Ate Sand And Is Throwing Up?

If you’ve taken your dog to the beach and they are throwing up afterwards they may be experiencing a blockage due to sand ingestion.

My Dog Ate Sand And Is Pooping Sand?

When your dog poops sand it is because of sand impaction. Pooping sand is the dogs body’s way of expelling the blockage. Unfortunately there isn’t much you can do but to let the dog poop it all out. Pooping sand isn’t necessarily a cause for concern. Even small amounts of ingested sand will be pooped out. Keep an eye on your dog for other symptoms of pain and discomfort or blood in the stool before calling your vet.

When And Why Do Dogs Eat Sand?

It’s pretty common for your dog to eat sand. Being exploratory creatures, eating something is their way of figuring out what the substance is. They could like the subtle fishy taste, or they are lacking some vitamin or probiotic that is found in the sand or dirt.

Why Do Puppies Eat Sand?

Think of a puppy as a young toddler, curious about everything and always putting stuff in their mouths! Puppies will eat anything to try and figure out what it is. Almost every puppy does it. And the good thing is, puppies are easy to train so it’ll be easier to teach a young pup to not eat sand.

Signs Of A Dog Who Has Eaten Sand?

Are you wondering if your dog has eaten too much sand? Look for these signs.

• Vomiting
• Vomiting blood
• Panting
• Dehydration
• Loss of appetite
• Hard stomach area
• Constipation

My Dog Ate Sand And Is Shaking?

One of the many symptoms of sand impaction is severe shaking. Take your dog to the vet immediately.

Home Remedies For Dogs Who Have Eaten Sand?

• There isn’t much you can do besides let nature run its course. They’re bodies will naturally expel the sand or whatever else is blocking them up. You can encourage them to pass the sand by giving them a few tablespoons of pumpkin purée with their kibble.

 

Keep a watchful eye on your dog and make sure no other symptoms occur. Anything else and the blockage could be much worse and can cause death if left untreated.

How Do You Get Sand Out Of A Dog?

If your dog has ingested a large amount of sand, take them to the vet. Your vet will give them something to encourage vomiting. If your dog is severely dehydrated, the vet will give them intravenous fluids which will also help sand pass through the gut.

What Is Sand Impaction?

Sand impaction is when sand causes a blockage in the intestines.

How Do You Know If Your Dog Has Sand Impaction?

Are you wondering if your dog has sand impaction? Have you just gone to the beach and you think your dog has eaten too much sand? Keep a watchful eye on your dog for the many symptoms. Have your vet notified in case you need to bring them in.

What Happens If My Dog Eats Sand?

Usually when your dog eats sand, it wouldn’t be enough to harm them. They may poop out some sand over the next few days, which is a good thing because it means they don’t have a blockage. Keep an eye on your dog and look for blood in their stool (darkened stool) which could be a life threatening issue. You will want to watch your dog closely over the next few days after having them around the sand to make sure they are still being their normal selves and not showing any symptoms of sand impaction. If you suspect anything is wrong call your vet immediately!

Will My Dog Be Ok After Eats Sand?

In many cases if you think your dog has eaten sand, it’s usually nothing to worry about. It’s inevitable that your dog will get some sand in its mouth when you take them to the beach or other sandy areas. You may notice some sand in their stool, and that’s completely fine! If they have no other symptoms of sand impaction, then sand in the stool is a good sign. It’s a sign that the sand is being passed and isn’t blocked up in the intestines.

How Can I Help My Dog Pass Sand?

If sand isn’t being impacted in the intestines, it will pass on its own. There really isn’t much we can do to help sand pass. You can encourage your pet to drink lots of water and even try giving them a small amount of pumpkin with their meals (a natural laxative) to help the passing go by quickly.

Treatment Of Intestinal Blockage Caused By Sand?

Treatment depends on how sick your dog is, based on how much sand they’ve eaten. Some dogs may just need an IV drip to help their dehydration. Others will need to be given medicines to encourage vomiting to get the sand out. In worse case scenarios your dog may need surgery to remove all the sand from the intestines. That is only if all else has failed. The good news is, if it’s treated right away, your dog will be fine with the help of medicines and veterinarians!

 

References

What to Do if Your Dog Eats Sand on the Beach

 

Sand Impaction in Dogs: What Happens When Your Dog Eats Too Much Sand