We’ve all heard the myth that gum will never digest and will get stuck in your stomach if you swallow it, enough to scare many of us away from chewing gum as kids.
The question is whether the same myth applies to dogs. To begin with, it may seem strange to think of your dog chewing gum, but we all know how much our dogs enjoy snacks.
What if your dog likes to chew gum and swallows it? Many dog owners undergo stress and confusion during this time. Dogs will devour just about anything they encounter, including bugs.
Here is a list of five things you can do if your dog has swallowed chewing gum, either accidentally or on purpose.
Contents
5 Things to Do if Your Dog Swallows Chewing Gum
1: Do Not Panic
What should a dog owner do in this situation? They will most often panic, undoubtedly causing more harm than good. Our dogs can easily detect our energy levels.
They will make a fuss if they realize we have lost control of the situation. As a result, you must maintain your cool, at least in front of your dog.
I understand how troubling it is to walk into a room and see chewing gum wrappers on the floor next to a guilty-looking dog.
However, try to keep your nerves under control. Relax, both you and your dog. Make them feel confident in your ability to handle the situation.
2: Look For Information
You must now assemble the puzzle pieces. Collect as much information as you can. Examine the environment and take a look around.
To determine the severity of the situation, you must first gather some basic information. First, look for the wrapper and determine whether or not the gum was sugar-free.
Examine the list of ingredients and the amount your dog ate. Looking for the ingredients may bring you a sigh of relief because they do not always cause severe health problems in dogs.
Some components, such as xylitol, have been shown to be harmful to dogs’ health if consumed in any form.
3: Monitor Their Symptoms
The third and most significant measure is to search for symptoms. It’s critical to check to see if your dog is exhibiting any symptoms.
You should look for signs such as vomiting, lethargy, weakness, and, in severe cases, tremors and loss of coordination in your dog.
By examining your dog, you will be able to better answer all of the veterinarian’s questions.
For example, if they’ve consumed regular gum, you can breathe a sigh of relief. However, if the ingredients list sugar-free gum, your dog may experience digestive distress.
4: Call a Vet
Whether your dog ate sugary gum or sugar-free gum, it’s best to consult a veterinarian.
In the case of regular chewing gum, your veterinarian will ask you to examine your dog’s health and to keep them under observation for the next two hours.
If the dog is doing well, it may not have to go to the vet or take any medications.
However, if your dog has consumed sugar-free gum, it must be treated by a veterinarian immediately before its symptoms worsen.
5: Forced Vomiting
Forced vomiting is not recommended by medical professionals. However, if it comes down to saving your dog’s life, you or the vet may have to choose this option.
Xylitol is toxic to dogs and can harm their internal organs. Before xylitol can damage the liver, it should be removed from the body—typically with 3 percent hydrogen peroxide.
The dosage is determined by the dog’s weight. When your dog consumes this solution, they will vomit whatever is in their stomach.
This can be a stressful event for the dog. Do not attempt it unless instructed to do so by a doctor.
3 Helpful Tips if This Happens
1: Provide Plenty of Water
The ingestion of xylitol can stimulate the production of insulin in the body. This could happen within 30 minutes of chewing gum consumption.
The dog’s blood sugar levels will plummet to dangerously low levels. This, in turn, can cause shock or trigger the onset of liver failure.
Because of this, it’s considered an emergency. Allow them to drink plenty of water to flush the toxicity from their stomach.
If your dog is not vomiting yet, give them a sweetened semi-solid food item. This will prevent your dog from collapsing on the floor.
2: Consult A Vet
If the only symptom your dog has is low blood sugar, they will likely have a good prognosis. However, a veterinarian should always be consulted for the best advice.
Get your dog checked for any potential health issues. According to research, some dogs develop liver disease later in life. The chances of curing the condition are slim.
According to reports, a single sugar-free gum can contain up to 1.0 grams of artificial sweetener. As per the Pet Poison Helpline, a single gram of xylitol can be fatal to a 10-pound dog.
As a result, it’s advised not to take this issue lightly and seek proper medical attention.
3: Feed Your Dog Soft Food
You don’t want to harm your dog’s stomach further because the harmful ingredients in the gum have already done so. Give your dog’s medications on time, as directed by the vet.
Then make your dog a special meal. Their stomachs may be upset, so they’re hesitant to consume heavy foods or beef products.
They need something soft that will easily break down and digest in their stomach.
The recommended ingredients are chicken and rice, which are high in nutrition and easily pass through the digestive tract.
Other delectable food options include shredded chicken, pumpkin, and bone broth.
Takeaway
Every day, being a dog owner presents new challenges. Should you be concerned if your dog has eaten chewing gum? Yes, absolutely.
Some gums are relatively safe, but others, particularly sugar-free gums, may contain ingredients that aren’t suitable for dogs.
As a consequence, if you or your family enjoys chewing gum, try to keep it out of your dog’s reach.
Keep a strong focus on their symptoms if they proceed to eat gum despite your best efforts. Then take them to a nearby veterinarian and have them thoroughly examined.
Completing the prescribed medications and taking good care of your dog for the next few weeks is essential. If the situation calls for it, a veterinarian can provide long-term monitoring.
