Other important details that your veterinarian will need include your dog’s age, breed, and weight. be sure to inform your veterinarian of how much silica gel has been eaten, you may need to estimate this if you are unsure. It is never advisable to make your pet sick at home without talking to your veterinarian first as this may not be necessary and in some circumstances may even be detrimental to your pet. You may need to remove your dog from the area so that you can return and clean up the mess! First, stop them from eating anymore! Remove any remaining silica gel packets and put them away in a secure location.
What Should I Do If My Dog Eats Silica Gel?
The silica gel balls or beads contained within these little packets are essentially silicon dioxide, a porous form of sand. Little packets of silica gel are placed within many different products, such as food, clothing, and electrical items, as they help absorb water vapor, thus preventing products from getting damp and becoming damaged or soiled.
SILICA GEL PACKETS DOG ATE HOW TO
We will look at whether silica gel is toxic to dogs, what to do if they ingest it, and how to prevent dogs from eating inedible items in the first place. Keep reading to find out everything that you need to know. It is advisable to research and understand what is or isn’t safe for our dogs and ensure that inedible and dangerous products are put out of reach from our beloved family pet. Puppies that are teething or playful dogs are likely to seek out items to chew and may inadvertently ingest that item without realizing that it is harmful to them. Some dogs may be more interested in eating inedible items than others – it will depend on their age and personality. Sometimes, there’s no known reason for a dog to eat silica gel- they just ate it! However, if your dog is regularly chewing or eating inedible items, we recommend having a check-up with your veterinarian to discuss the possibility of a medical or behavioral cause. Image Credit: benchtalks, Pixabayĭogs may be interested in eating silica gel because it smells like the tasty thing it was packaged with- they’re often included in packs of treats to stop them from absorbing moisture and spoiling. Silica gel is one of those items that may interest your dog and, believe it or not, it is a relatively common occurrence for dogs to eat silica gel. This means that dogs will often gobble up the most bizarre items that may not always edible, let alone safe for them. Why Has My Dog Eaten Silica Gel?ĭogs have a heightened sense of smell and many of them are very interested in their surroundings. If you’ve come home to find your dog has torn apart a packet of silica gel and eaten the contents, you’re not alone! Read our article for advice on what to do if your dog eats silica gel. If you think that your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately.Those little packets saying ‘do not eat’ that you find inside packages, new handbags and dried goods contain silica gel- an inert substance that acts as a desiccant. If your pet has ingested silica gel, please contact your veterinarian or APCC for more information.ĪPCC is your best resource for any animal poison-related emergency-24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Fortunately, this is not a common problem. Some silica gel packets may be fairly large, and if ingested, could potentially cause obstruction in the intestinal tract. Silica gel packets are used as a desiccant (drying agent) to prevent moisture damage, and are often labeled with the message “Silica Gel Do Not Eat.” If eaten, silica gel can cause gastrointestinal upset, including vomiting and diarrhea-depending on the quantity consumed. APCC experts find that when these packets are packaged with food, pets may be more likely to consume them as they retain the smell of the food item. Silica gel usually comes in small white packets-typically the size of sugar packets-and can be found in the packaging for many items such as shoes, bags, coats, electronics, medications, vitamins, food and cat litter.
At the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), our poison control experts field calls from pet parents whose furry friends have eaten every type of forbidden substance imaginable.