Dogs are curious creatures, and sometimes they choose to chew on or swallow objects that are not edible. Oftentimes, pet owners end up at the vet with a dog that swallowed a shoelace, a plastic toy, a bone, or another harmful object. If your animal swallows an inedible object, this can damage his or her mouth, throat, esophagus, intestines, or stomach. At some point, the indigestible object may become lodged in the digestive system, causing severe complications or even emergency surgery.

If you notice that your dog is choking and is having a hard time breathing, you should attend to the animal right away. Your pet may also show signs of digestive discomfort, such as vomiting or diarrhea, which could also be signs that your pet had an impractical snack. You may want to take inventory of your pet's toys, or check the trash so see if there are any missing items your animal may have swallowed. If you cannot determine what toy or item has been wallowed, it may be important for you to take your pet to the vet.

Some of the items that are dangerous for dogs to swallow include:

• Chunks of plastic from toys
• Fruit pits and stones
• Bones
• Gum
• Shoelaces
• Thick leather
• Rubber bands/balls
• Socks
• Corn cobs
• Gristle

Dogs that chew more commonly will be the ones most at-risk to this injury. For example, Labrador Retrievers, Dobermans, and Golden Retrievers tend to chew a lot, especially as puppies. This means that they have a higher likelihood to swallow a dangerous object. If you discover that your dog has swallowed something dangerous, then check to see if the animal is choking. Sometimes, dogs choke silently, so you will want to watch your animal closely.

Check your dog's mouth for foreign objects and remove them if it is possible to do so. You may have to sedate your dog in order to make this work. If you can see a thread, string, or shoelace lodged in your dog's throat, it is important that you do not pull it. In some cases, this can cause damage to the esophagus and other structures in the throat. There is a possibility that the threat is tangled around over parts of the body, so it is highly recommended that you leave it there temporarily.

If you know what your dog swallowed, this will make it easier for you to diagnose the situation. If your pet swallowed a poison, then you will want to take him or her to the vet immediately. Don't induce vomiting. If the swallowed object was something sharp, then you should never induce vomiting. This could severely damage organs or your animal's esophagus. If your pet swallowed scissors, a needle, or something else that is dangerously sharp, then surgery may be necessary to remove the item.

A veterinarian will be able to safely perform tests and X-rays to locate the item in your dog's body. Barium studies, ultrasounds, and CT stands are several of the tools that are available to determine whether the surgery may be required to remove the object or not. If the veterinarian suggests surgery, it is highly recommended that you acquiesce.

This could save your dog from internal damage that could lead to death. Sometimes, a vet may recommend intestinal surgery, where the surgeon will remove several inches containing the item. Other times, the vet may need to sedate your pet to pull a dangerous object out of its throat. If your dog is scared or violent, you will certainly want a veterinarian to sedate him. It is best to monitor your pet when he or she is chewing on anything, and designate safe toys that were purchased specifically for the dog. Call a local vet if you want more information!