Dog Ate A Toilet Paper Roll? [How to Keep Your Pet Safe]

If you saw that your dog ate a toilet paper roll, you may be feeling a mix of emotions right now.

On one hand, you’re probably worried about the potential health risks to your dog and you’re unsure of what steps to take next.

On the other hand, you’re probably feeling a little bit frustrated with your dog for getting into mischief and eating something they shouldn’t have.

First of all, don’t panic!

While it may seem like a scary situation, eating a toilet paper roll is actually not that dangerous and can usually be resolved without any serious complications.

In this post, we’ll discuss what you can do to help your dog, how to prevent them from eating toilet paper rolls in the future, and what signs to look for to determine if your dog is in need of medical attention.

What Should You Do if Your Dog Eats a Toilet Paper Roll?

The first thing you should do if your dog eats a toilet paper roll is to remain calm.

Although chewing a toilet paper roll by a dog may seem like a big problem, it is actually pretty common and can usually be rectified without any major problems.

Assess the situation and look for any indications of distress in your dog as the next step.

If your dog is behaving normally and not showing any signs of discomfort, it’s probable that it will be able to move the toilet paper roll through its GI tract without any complications.

In this situation, all you need to do is keep an eye on your dog and ensure that they have access to plenty of fresh water.

On the other hand, you should get guidance from your veterinarian if your dog displays symptoms of distress such as vomiting, diarrhea, appetite loss, or gastrointestinal pain.

Your veterinarian can give you detailed information on how to assist your dog and could advise that you bring it in for a checkup.

Most importantly, do not try to fix the problem yourself by using a tweezer-like object to pull the roll out of your dog’s mouth. You can potentially cause some serious damage!

If you find your dog showing signs of choking, you may want to attempt to perform the Heimlich maneuver on it first before taking your next step.

What about if your dog ate makeup wipes?

Pet Heimlich Maneuver

Watch this video on YouTube.

What about if my dog ate Kleenex tissues or paper towels?

The majority of Kleenex or tissue paper that people use is around the same density and weight as toilet tissue.

The size, density, and thickness of paper towels will vary more than regular tissue but they are still very similar.

If your dog ate any of the three, they will typically be shredded before it gets swallowed.

These paper products are typically designed to dissolve quickly when it gets into water, so there really isn’t much to worry about.

Of course, this will matter if your dog is small (like a Yorkie) and you know that it has ingested quite a fair amount.

In this situation, there might be a risk of intestinal blockage, in which you will follow the steps discussed above.

Doggy says, consider reading this too: My dog ate a cricket

What To Do If Your Dog Ate A Paper Towel (Or Toilet Paper)

Watch this video on YouTube.

What Causes Your Dog to Eat Toilet Paper Rolls?

There could be a number of reasons why your dog wants to eat or chew on a toilet paper roll.

Let’s take a closer look.

Curiosity

Dogs are naturally drawn to explore their environment since they are curious creatures.

Because of their curiosity, they may chew on and consume household objects, such as toilet paper rolls.

Bored

Dogs may also eat toilet paper rolls if they are bored or have a lot of unreleased energy.

After all, they are typically active animals that require constant mental and physical engagement to maintain their happiness and health.

A dog may start to engage in destructive behaviors such as chewing on and eating things they shouldn’t if they don’t receive enough mental or physical stimulation.

Stress and anxiety

Some dogs may turn to chewing and eating toilet paper rolls (or any object really) to relieve stress or anxiety.

Just like us humans, dogs can often experience these emotions, and they may resort to destructive actions as a coping mechanism.

If your dog is eating toilet paper rolls, it’s important to consider whether there are any underlying emotional issues that may be contributing to their behavior.

Teething

Puppies experience a teething phase during which they may chew on random objects to ease the pain of their erupting teeth, but you should know that this usually happens when puppies are between three weeks and six months old only.

If your dog is in this age range, teething might be the main reason, which you can help by giving it a chew toy.

However, if you have an older dog, the other reasons here might make more sense.

Pica

Pica is a condition in which an animal (including dogs) ingests non-food and non-nutritional items, including things like toilet paper rolls, plastic, or even dirt.

A vet will need to run some blood tests to determine if this is present, but from your point of view, if you see your dog often eating such objects, you should alert your vet right away.

Lack of nutrition

While it is true that a poor diet can contribute to a variety of health problems in dogs, it is not typically a direct cause of a dog eating non-food items such as toilet paper rolls.

However, that does not mean it cannot happen.

Think about the food that you are feeding your dog.

Are they nutritious? Are they sufficient? Did you accidentally feed it the wrong food?

If the answer is no, then there should not be any surprise if your try to satisfy its hunger by chewing on objects like toilet paper or rolls.

Doggy says, you might wanna read this too: What to do if my dog ate grapes?

Dog shredding toilet paper roll | TEEMO ASMR

Watch this video on YouTube.

What should you do if your dog ate glitter?

How to Stop Your Dog From Eating Toilet Paper Rolls?

Let me tell you something. I have no idea how but my dog always seems to have a piece of tissue paper near her. So frustrating!

Well, that’s probably better than eating paper rolls though. Here are a few tips to get yours to stop:

1. Keep the bathroom door closed: This is the easiest and most effective way to prevent your dog from getting into toilet paper rolls. If your dog doesn’t have access to the rolls, it can’t eat them.
2. Provide your dog with appropriate toys: Dogs often chew on toilet paper rolls because they are bored or looking for something to do. Providing your dog with plenty of appropriate toys and chews can help redirect their chewing habits and keep them entertained.
3. Use a trash can with a lid: If your dog is able to access the trash and find discarded toilet paper rolls, they may be tempted to chew on them. Using a trash can with a lid can help prevent this from happening.
4. Supervise your dog when they are in the bathroom: If you catch your dog chewing on a toilet paper roll, quickly take it away from them and give them an appropriate toy instead. This will help teach them that toilet paper rolls are not something they should chew on.

Overall, the key to stopping your dog from eating toilet paper rolls is to be proactive and take steps to prevent them from accessing the rolls in the first place.

Have you wondered, what if your dog ate chalk?

What Problems Can Happen if Your Dog Ate a Cardboard Toilet Paper Roll?

The main worry is that the cardboard can get lodged in your dog’s digestive tract.

This will often cause them to vomit or show signs of gagging.

The cardboard can also cause blockages which can be very serious and potentially life-threatening, that is why it is so important to monitor your dog closely and watch for any signs of distress.

In most cases though, cardboard and toilet paper can pass through your dog without incident.

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Can Dogs Poop Out Toilet Paper and Toilet Paper Roll?

Yes, dogs can pass toilet paper and toilet paper rolls without any problem, provided they do not get stuck together and form a big lump.

You should not be overly worried though, as your dog is almost certain to shred them up before swallowing.

How Long Does It Take for a Dog to Pass a Toilet Paper Roll?

It will take your dog between 6 and 8 hours to pass a toilet paper roll, but in some cases, this might be extended to 24 hours.

Keep an eye out when your dog passes motion and observe if there are tiny specks of tissue or cardboard in them.

If your dog has difficulties or strains to poop after a day, you should consult your vet.

Doggy says, consider reading this too: My dog ate a Reese’s cup

Can a Dog Still Poop With a Blockage?

A dog with an intestinal blockage is not likely to be able to poop properly. In a case of a partial blockage, fluids will go around the feces and become diarrhea.

To treat dehydration and help in the object’s passage, your veterinarian might advise fluid therapy administered intravenously (IV) or subcutaneously (under the skin).

X-rays may also be necessary to monitor an object’s progress as it passes through.

Doggy says, you might be keen to read this too: Dog ate fish food

What to Give a Dog to Help Them Pass an Object?

You might wish to try out the following techniques if you want to help your dog in passing the object out:

• Give them a stool softener or liquid laxative. Any pet store will carry a liquid laxative that is simple to use. An emollient laxative, often known as a stool softener, is a kind of laxative. Whichever one you decide to choose, you must first speak with a veterinarian.
• Feed a fiber-rich diet. Make sure your dog consumes adequate amounts of fiber (they help keep things moving through the digestive tract). Consider including pumpkin puree in his meals to add moisture and a lot of fiber that will aid in digestion.
• Consider massaging your dog’s stomach. In some cases, it can be very helpful to move the bowels, but be sure to do it very gently and not cause any distress

What Are the Signs of Intestinal Blockage in Dogs?

The signs of an intestinal blockage in a dog can include the following:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal pain or swelling
• Lethargy
• Lack of bowel movements

The moment you notice any of these signs, it is time to visit your vet.

How Much Does It Cost to Remove an Object From a Dog’s Stomach?

Depending on the type of object, the dog’s size, and the severity of the condition, the cost to remove an object from a dog’s stomach can vary widely.

On average, you can expect to pay at least $300 for a non-surgery option to over $10,000 for more complicated procedures.

The good news is that most pet insurance covers this cost.

To discuss the specifics of your dog’s condition and to obtain a more precise cost estimate, it is crucial to get in touch with your vet.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

In Conclusion: What if My Dog Ate A Toilet Paper Roll?

If you want to avoid dealing with this situation in the future, it is best to make sure not to leave them lying around where your dog can get them easily.

Positive reinforcement training can be a very effective way to teach it not to eat or chew objects it is not supposed to, so you should really consider implementing such training for your dog to live a meaningful and fun-filled life.

Continue reading more about dog care tips such as why is my puppy not eating much and sleeping a lot, can belly bands cause UTI in dogs, why is my dog so hungry on Prednisone, and many more!