What to Do If Your Dog Eats Plastic

How Dangerous Is Eating Plastic?

It depends on the type and amount of plastic. Soft, thin plastic (like a small piece of wrapper) may pass through without issue. Hard, sharp, or large pieces of plastic can cause intestinal obstruction or internal lacerations — both potentially life-threatening.

Soft Plastic vs. Hard Plastic

• Soft plastic (thin wrappers, plastic bags, soft packaging): Lower risk of obstruction, but can still cause blockage in large amounts or small dogs. Monitor closely.
• Hard plastic (toy pieces, container fragments, hard packaging): Higher risk — sharp edges can lacerate the intestines. Vet evaluation recommended.
• Large pieces of any plastic: High obstruction risk regardless of type. Call your vet.

What to Do Immediately

1. Assess what was eaten: Type of plastic, approximate size, when eaten, your dog's size
2. Call your vet — they can advise whether monitoring at home is appropriate or whether your dog needs to be seen
3. Do not induce vomiting without vet guidance — sharp plastic can cause more damage coming back up
4. Do not give food or water until you've spoken to your vet

Signs of Intestinal Obstruction or Laceration

Monitor for 48–72 hours after ingestion:

• Repeated vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Abdominal pain or distension
• Straining to defecate
• Blood in stool

Any of these signs = go to the emergency vet immediately.

When to Go to the Vet Right Away

• Your dog ate a large piece of plastic
• Your dog ate hard or sharp plastic
• Your dog is a small breed
• Your dog is showing any signs of obstruction
• You're unsure of the amount eaten

🧰 Recommended: EVERLIT Pet Medic First Aid Kit (95 Pcs) — Vet-approved emergency kit for home and travel.

Prevention

• Keep trash cans in closed cabinets or use locking lids
• Pick up plastic packaging immediately after use
• Choose durable, size-appropriate toys that can't be easily destroyed
• Supervise play with toys that have small parts