How To Prevent Your Dog from Eating Something They Shouldn't

You know dogs are opportunistic eaters, but what do you do if your furry friend eats something they shouldn’t? Jacob from Rover.com brings you some quick tips on what to do if your dog has ingested something dangerous.

First, keep an eye out for the signs of ingestion. Take your dog to the vet if they exhibit any of these symptoms:

-Vomiting
-Painful or swollen abdomen
-Lack of appetite
-Lethargy
-Changes in their usual behavior
-Changes in bowel movements like diarrhea, constipation

But dogs get into everything! How do you protect them from a terrible tummyache? To keep your dog from ingesting anything foreign or toxic, make sure to do the following:

Dog proof your home- put away any chemicals, cleaning supplies, and medications in cupboards or rooms your dog is not allowed in.

Remember that dogs are scavengers. Watch out for bones when you’re on a walk. At home, make sure no bones are left on dishes that a dog could reach. Your dog is the most likely to ingest a bone on walks or at parties when guests leave plates unattended.

Be vigilant about toxic items like candy and chocolate. Dogs have a sweet tooth and often seek those items out.

Always supervise your dog when they play with toys. Don’t leave them alone with toys that they could chew up and ingest.

Keep all trash cans closed and secure so your dog doesn’t go dumpster diving.

Put all purses, back packs and other bags out of reach of curious noses.

And be aware of what human food is poisonous to dogs.

By making sure that your dog can’t get into anything, you’re saving them discomfort and yourself money on an expensive surgery.

There you have it folks. Great tips from Jacob! But knowing these quick tips is just the start. You've got to apply what you just learned to prevent your dog from eating something they shouldn't. Good luck!