My dog ate part of a blanket; what’s wrong with him? Your dog starts doing such a weird thing that concerns you so much as a dog parent.
Well, the problem has been raised in the dog community for so long.
Is it common? Is it dangerous? What should you do? The article sheds light on the problem.
Without further ado, let’s begin.
My Dog Ate Part Of A Blanket: Why?
There are 6 reasons for a dog eating or chewing blankets, classified as teething (under 6 months), an indicator of boredom, anxiety, or separation anxiety (above 6 months).
Also, it’s a matter of instinct, pica or allotriophagy, hunger, curiosity, or fear.
Some are natural desires. Some are pre-notice of disease. Some are the call for care. That is why dog parents need to be super careful when giving blankets to their pets.
Let’s learn about each factor in the concise summary below for suitable solutions.
Natural Instinct
So if you look for why my dog ate his blanket in his crate or anywhere else when blankets are present, the answer we can give you is its instinct.
In fact, dogs chew everything by nature, as a way to explore the world around them. When they chew, their teeth can also develop well.
It stimulates salivation, eliminates the mouth’s bacterial build-up, and prevents hidden cardiovascular health issues.
In the long term, it is for their health benefits. Even better, it can help dogs with symptoms of anxiety by releasing dopamine & serotonin.
Still, chewing excessively or chewing weird stuff like blankers is no dog parents’ desire.
If your pet prefers chewing something like a blanket, there is a good chance that they tear, spit out, and even swallow the fabric.
Teething
One of the reasons why dogs like chewing blankets is that they are in the teething period.
They chew things in this way to soothe their gums. It relieves the pain of teeth growth and even anxiety, stress, or boredom. Besides, dog jaws can also be stronger, and teeth are much cleaner.
Chewing for exercise is not a problem. However, tearing the blankets into small pieces and even swallowing these fabrics is a big thing you should pay attention to.
Separation Anxiety
If your pet is a bit older, and you observe their changing behavior by chewing weird things like a blanket, it is more likely that your pet manifests separation anxiety.
When your pet is lonely, they may have experienced anxiety. That is why they want to chew blankets to alleviate their worries.
Should this be the reason, other symptoms like barking, howling, pacing, and restlessness also happen.
Hunger
A diet with fewer calories can cause dogs chewing blankets to fill up their stomach because they are hungry for more nutritious food. Chewing fabrics gives your dog a change in taste.
On top of that, worms can trigger them to chew things too.
Curiosity or Fear
Feeling threat, fear, or curiosity can be why your dog ate blanket. When dogs are in that situation, they chew to get the owner’s attention.
You may see reactions or habits when sudden things happen, for instance, thunderstorms, insufficient light, and loud noises.
To this end, you can try to give in to them or give them what they want and see the results.
Blanket Sucking
Blanket sucking is the course of action in that your pet sucks various items: pillows, plush toys, sheets, covers, & blankets.
In general, this behavior is considered a self-comfort mechanism of canines in extremely stressful situations.
Normally, it happens when puppies do not have adequate mother care since they were born.
They miss the so-called sucking experience and tend to search for maternal coziness & warmth in those blankets or all the other items giving them a similar feel.
At its core, blanket sucking does not bring any hazards. Still, if the action persists for a long time, it is more likely to develop into compulsive behaviors or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Pica or Allotriophagy
An abnormal appetite syndrome named allotriophagy/pica prompts your pet desperately to devour some non-edible things, such as fabric (blanket), rocks, paper, nylon, dirt, plastic, wood, or hair.
People used to believe dogs get allotriophagy because they have nutritional deficiencies. However, now, science tells us this abnormal condition has major underlying issues.
Stress, trauma by the crate, worms, parasites in the intestine, or even boredom can result in pica. So, to solve it, you need to know where it comes from.
What Are The Consequences Of Dog Eating Blankets?
Vomiting
My dog ate a blanket and is vomiting. Well, that is the first consequence of a dog eating a blanket.
The reason is your pet’s stomach can not digest it. It rejects, so uncomfortable reactions appear.
When your furry friend only experiences vomiting, you have nothing to worry about.
However, if there are other symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, the owner should call the vet and follow the advice immediately.
Gastrointestinal Obstruction
It happens when the fabric blocks part or all of the water & food flow through the dog’s intestines.
Even when it is just a piece of blanket, it can place pressure on the intestinal walls and gastric. As a result, your pet must suffer from impeding blood flow.
Even worse, the fabric can lead to necrosis or perforation of surrounding tissue.
And the last thing you want your dog to encounter is peritoneum inflammation. It can end up dead. Some symptoms of this killer you can observe are:
- Excessive drooling.
- Appetite’s losing.
- Vomiting.
- Burping.
- Lose the ability to defecate/produce stool.
- Abdominal bloating.
- Lethargy.
- Unwillingness lying down.
- Lip-smacking.
If the intestinal blockage becomes more severe, the veterinarian may do the X-ray test for your pet, and surgery is expected. You should call the clinic immediately when it happens and ask for medical advice.
Aspiration Pneumonia/Choking
Well, your little friend will be frightened and overreact when you catch them red-handed trying to tear the blankets, as you have told him not to do so!
Consequently, they inhale it unintentionally and may get into 2 serious situations: aspiration pneumonia or choking.
Choking is when the fabric blocks its airways, causing breathing difficulty. It turns to aspiration pneumonia when the fabric gets stuck in the dog’s lungs and starts infection.
When these happen, quick first aid & veterinary care are extremely needed.
What Do You Do if Your Dog Eats A Blanket?
Vomiting Induction
Induction of vomiting is super advisable before your dog ingests weird objects.
You should help your dog do it before getting to the vet. The golden time is at some of the first hours. If the fabric moves to the dog’s intestines, vomiting at home is no longer an option.
You must wait for the doctor’s advice at that time.
The vet may give your pet an injection to stimulate vomiting induction. Depending on the situation, your pet must stay there or can go home.
Stabilization
Suppose induction vomiting is not successful at the ideal time. Then, the veterinarian will ask your dog to hospitalize and concentrate on stabilization.
At this step, your pet will be rehydrated by electrolyte status correcting.
Besides, some drugs will be prescripted to push the so-called elimination process. Your dog will get intravenous fluids too. The professionals also do radiographs to see the progress of the fabric coming through the dog’s intestines.
Surgery
If the fabric finds its way into their digestive system, your dogs must have surgery. Some parts of the intestine might be removed to take out the blanket. Then, they start to perform the anastomosis.
The process requires high concentration and is pretty sophisticated. Moreover, there might be postoperative complications.
Recovery and Release
After successful surgery, it might take up to 3 days to recover. Your canine will have to take some anti-pain, anti-nausea, and antibiotics drugs.
Then, if everything goes well, your pet can go home. Some oral medications are things you must take home for your dog to complete the treatment.
For pets that get adequate attention on time, they will be well soon. Otherwise, poor prognosis is something dog parents should prepare for.
Last but not least, if your dog has any problem after surgery, you should find the real reason behind that and give the best nutritious diet for your pet to recover.
How To Prevent Dogs From Eating Blankets?
Understanding Chewing
Dog chewing is a natural instinct, much like barking and wagging its tail. You can not stop them from doing this. But luckily, you can divert your pet’s attention to other safer objects.
Try to buy a safe one to chew, and then they will be fine.
Providing Alternatives (Chew Toys, Puzzle Toys)
Besides, you should spend time playing with them or give them “work” to exercise to keep them happy, not energy, or avoid boredom, like chew toys or puzzle toys.
This way, they will not have time to tear the blanket.
Extra Love and Care
In case your dog chews a blanket just to get more attention from you, cuddling & playing with him is the best way to make it up.
When you see your pet chewing, come to their position and express your care.
Stop Providing Bedding and Blankets
If you have all chewing & puzzle toys, but your pet does not stop chewing the blanket, then you should exclude it from its toy.
In fact, these kinds of animals do not need blankets. Some pet sweaters do the work if the temperature is too low.
In case your pet chews your blanket, then hide them. Quality training will support them in giving up the bad habit.
FAQs
Are Fleece Blankets Safe For Dogs? What Happens If Your Dog Eats a Part of a Fleece Blanket?
No, it is not. If your dog eats a part of a fleece blanket, here are something you can do:
- Check to confirm what they really eat: fleece blanket or scattered pieces.
- Then, consider the size of your pet.
If your pet grows to a big size, it is more likely to throw up/poop out the swallowed fleece blanket after that or after a few days.
Conversely, if it is smaller, there is a good chance the blanket will get stuck in the stomach. Then, after several days, if it can not poop it out, you should take him to the dog hospital.
They will do surgery or an endoscopy to exclude the fleece blanket.
How Long Does It Take For A Dog To Pass The Blanket?
From 11 hours to 1 day because the blanket is pretty soft. It will generally be passed out after the normal digestion time.
However, it can take up to weeks/months if it is a hard object that your pet can not digest easily.
In that case, dog parents should bring their dog to the vet’s door and ask for an examination and medical advice.
Conclusion
That is everything about the topic: my dog ate part of a blanket. We hope you are walking away with useful information to have a proper solution for your beloved pet.
Knowing the crux of your dog’s difficulties will give you, the owner, a chance to improve your pet’s life. Follow us for more concise and quick info on pet knowledge. We update the sharing every day!
