When your dog eats something he shouldn’t, it can become a scary situation. Especially when it is something that isn’t edible. Read on to find out what you should do if your dog eats a cork.
What Happens If My Dog Eats A Cork?
There are several reasons why your dog may eat a cork. We discuss some of these reasons in this article here. We also give you some solutions to this possible problem.
Will My Dog Be Okay If It Ate A Cork?
It can be a very dangerous situation for your dog if he eats a cork. But if you are able to get him to a vet for an emergency visit as soon as possible, then there is a good chance he will be okay.
How Will I Know If My Dog Has Eaten A Cork?
There are different ways to tell if your dog has eaten a cork. If you did not see him eat it yourself, you should look for signs in his behavior. He could choke, try to throw up, or show other signs of sickness. As soon as you notice your dog showing any signs of illness, you must take him for an emergency vet visit.
Can A Cork Cause Serious Health Problems For My Dog?
There are a few things that can happen to your dog’s body when he eats a cork. One is that the cork can get lodged somewhere in your dog’s intestines and cause severe problems. Another possibility is that the cork can expand if it is eaten whole. This can happen if the cork absorbs your dog’s internal fluids.
What Should I Do If My Dog Has Swallowed A Cork?
The best course of action if your dog has eaten a cork-or even if you only suspect he did-is to take him for an emergency vet visit. Your dog may not show symptoms right away and you may think he is okay, but waiting can make the situation worse for him. It is best to go as soon as possible.
Can Cork Expand In A Dog’s Stomach?
Yes. Corks are made to absorb liquid and prevent leaks in bottles. If the cork is whole, it can absorb your dog’s stomach fluids and expand.
Can My Dog Choke On A Cork If It Gets Stuck In Their Throat?
If your dog didn’t shred the cork while eating it, there is a good chance the cork can get lodged in his throat. This can cause him to choke on it.
Should I Induce Vomiting If My Dog Eats A Cork?
If you catch it early enough, your dog has eaten it recently, then inducing vomiting can help him to purge the cork. After being entirely sure that your dog ate the cork, you can rub your dog’s belly and give them a small amount of hydrogen peroxide. He should throw it up in 20-30 minutes.
Will My Dog Need To Have Surgery To Remove The Cork?
In some scenarios your dog will need surgery to remove the cork. If the cork cannot be removed by inducing vomiting or it is lodged in your dog’s stomach/digestive system, they will have to undergo surgery to remove it.
Can A Cork Get Stuck In My Dog’s Digestive System?
It is entirely possible for the cork to get stuck in your dog’s digestive system.
Can A Cork Cause Damage To My Dog’s Stomach Or Intestines?
Yes. Corks are non-digestible and can get cause obstructions in your dog’s body.
How Long Does It Take For A Cork To Pass Through My Dog’s System?
For a dog to pass a cork through his entire digestive system, it should take about 8-10 hours. That is if it hasn’t gotten lodged anywhere.
Can I Prevent My Dog From Eating Corks In The Future?
The best way to prevent your dog from eating a cork again is to keep them out of the house or out of his reach.
Should I Take My Dog To The Vet?
Yes. If your dog has eaten a cork, the best form of action would be to take him to the vet.
Dog Ate A Cork Coaster. What Should I Do?
If your dog ate a cork coaster, you should contact your veterinarian for advice. You can also follow the other suggestions we have listed in the article.
Dog Ate A Cork Board. What Should I Do?
If your dog ate a piece of cork board, you should follow the same steps that you would take if he ate any other kind. First, be sure he has eaten the cork board and then check if he has any symptoms of an emergency.
Dog Eat Wine Cork. What Should I Do?
The first thing you should do is watch your dog for any sign of a blockage. If he seems to be acting sick or choking, take him to the vet immediately. Another option is to induce vomiting.
Why Would A Dog Eat Wine Corks/Cork Coasters/ Cork Boards?
Curiosity
Dogs can be curious, especially puppies. This means that they will sniff and chew on anything that looks interesting to them.
Boredom
When your dog is bored, he will look for things to entertain himself. If he finds a cork within reach he may view it as a toy. Or as we mention below, something for them to chew on.
As A Way To Satisfy Their Urge To Chew.
If they get a hold of a cork, they may like the feel of the texture as they chew on it. This can satisfy their need to chew and also be a way that they accidentally consume it.
Attracted To The Smell Or Taste Of Cork, Especially If It’s Soaked In Wine Or Other Liquids.
Since corks are sometimes used with edible products-like wine-your dog may smell this. It may attract your dog to the cork. They may find the scent appealing and eat the cork.
Natural Desire To Chew On Objects,
Some dogs like to chew on things.
Cork May Provide A Satisfying Texture And Resistance For Them To Chew On
Corks have a very specific texture and that texture may feel good to your dog as he chews on it. It may be satisfying for him.
Stress
Just like people, dogs can have nervous habits. They also get stressed. Some dogs may chew on things when they get nervous. They’ll find something that appeals to them and chew on it as a form of comfort.
Nutrient Deficiency
If your dog is not getting enough nutrients in his diet, he may seek out the nutrition elsewhere. Make sure that your dog is getting the right kind and amount of food. This will prevent a nutrient deficiency.
Teething
If your dog is still in their teething stage, you know that they like to chew on anything and everything. This can lead to them getting a hold of things they shouldn’t so they can chew on it.
What Are The Dangers Of A Dog Swallowing A Wine Cork?
Digestive Problems
If your dog manages to eat the cork without choking on it or getting it stuck, it can still cause him digestive problems. This can last until he passes it or it can
Infection
If the cork creates any tears or other damage to your dog’s throat, stomach, or intestines, it can cause an infection in your dog’s body.
Intestinal Blockage
If the cork manages to pass through your dog’s stomach, it is still possible for the cork to block your dog’s intestines. It is even possible for the cork to absorb the fluids in your dog’s intestines and expand. In this case, surgery would be the most likely solution for the problem.
Toxins
Depending on where the cork came from, it is possible that there are germs or toxins on it. These toxins can make your dog ill. Make sure to pay attention to the signs for sickness in your dog. Some of these could be: lethargy, heavy breathing, and vomiting.
Choking
The grooves in a cork can make it difficult for your dog to swallow if the pieces aren’t small enough. Or if it is whole. It can get lodged in his throat, causing him to choke.
Alcohol
If the cork is from a wine bottle and still has alcohol on it, this could make your dog sick. When he eats the cork, any leftover alcohol can be absorbed into his system. This can make him sick.