My Dog Ate Glass. What Should I do? 

Dogs may encounter broken glass at any time. Whether you drop a jar or glass in the kitchen or your dog decides to explore the trash, it is a significant concern. Let’s face it. Dogs love to investigate new things; keeping them out of the kitchen can be challenging. What do you do if your dog eats glass? We are here to help.

You must make sure that your dog eats glass in the first place. Dogs do not choose to eat glass, but mistakes do happen. Dogs will likely immediately realize their mistake and spit out the glass. If they do not do this, if the pieces are small, they will most likely pass through their GI tract just fine. However, there are many concerns if the glass pieces are more significant.

You must check your dog’s lips, tongue, and mouth for blood. This will be a good indicator of whether the glass cut them as they swallowed it. Take note of the locations that appear to have been cut or injured. It is now time to contact your veterinarian! Your vet may recommend giving your dog specific foods that can help encase and cushion the glass, preventing it from causing injuries as it goes through the digestive system. These foods may include mashed potatoes, canned pumpkin, or a piece of bread.

You will need to check for symptoms such as lack of appetite, blood in stool, constipation, lethargy, or abdominal pain or swelling. These symptoms indicate that something is wrong and that there may be a puncture, cut, or blockage in your dog’s intestines. This is a medical emergency and needs veterinarian attention.  

One of the best things you can do to prevent your dog from eating glass is to be proactive. Ensure that your dog does not have access to the trash and clean up any broken glass immediately. If an accident occurs, you will know exactly what to do to ensure your dog is safe and healthy.