My Dog Ate a Paper Towel: Our Vet Discusses Potential Risks, Signs & FAQ

If your dogs are anything like mine, you need to keep a close eye on them at mealtimes. Throw in the excitement of a picnic or BBQ with a cocktail of food smells and the chance of a carelessly dropped sausage, and you’ve got a dog that is going to try to eat anything they can get their paws on. And if that food comes with a side of paper towel, most dogs won’t let that get in their way. The good news is that, in most cases, eating a paper towel won’t cause any problems; it’s usually everything else at the party we need to worry about!

If your dog has gotten carried away and swallowed a paper towel, don’t panic, as they will probably be just fine. However, there are times when this could be a problem, so let’s take a closer look.

What Happens If Your Dog Ate a Paper Towel?

Paper towels dissolve fairly readily in water, so this happens even faster in a stomach full of gastric acid. The main place where a paper towel is likely to cause problems is in the esophagus. The longer it takes to travel down to the stomach, the more moisture it can absorb, making that journey even more challenging. However, the esophagus is highly muscular, and it would be unusual for a paper towel to pose a significant challenge.

If we are dealing with a more substantial, thick paper towel, there is an increased risk of it causing an esophageal obstruction, but it would be unlikely to cause a blockage further along the digestive tract.

Signs of an Esophageal Obstruction

• Regurgitation (food/water expelled without abdominal effort)
• Difficulty swallowing
• Exaggerated swallowing
• Drooling
• Gagging/coughing

When to Take Your Dog to the Vet

If your dog develops signs of esophageal obstruction, you should get them to the vet immediately. Depending on the severity of the obstruction and whether your dog is able to swallow, they may try to administer water or lubricating fluid by mouth to help shift the towel into the stomach. Alternatively, they may retrieve the towel using an endoscope.

If they have swallowed a paper towel but are eating and drinking normally and appear bright, happy, and comfortable, you can keep a close eye on them at home, but contact your vet if you have any concerns or if your dog develops any signs of an obstruction, including:

• Inappetence
• Abdominal discomfort or pain
• Rigid abdomen
• Vomiting
• Drooling
• Passing no or very small amounts of feces
• Panting
• Dehydration (tacky gums, prolonged skin tent)

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I Make My Dog Vomit?

You should never attempt to make your dog vomit at home unless specifically instructed to by your vet. If your dog has swallowed a paper towel, there is little to be gained from making them vomit, as it is likely that the towel will dissolve as it passes through the digestive tract.

However, if you are worried that the paper towel is quite thick and substantial, you should contact your vet for advice.

Should I Feed My Dog?

If your dog is well and happy to eat and drink, feed them small, frequent meals to help keep their digestive tract moving, which may help to speed up the passage of the swallowed item. This also gives us an indication of whether your dog is still wanting to eat or if they are having difficulty digesting food.

What Else Should I Watch Out For?

The most important thing to be keeping an eye on is whether your dog is eating, drinking, and going to the toilet normally. If your dog seems off-color or uncomfortable in any way, do not hesitate to get your dog examined. You might find traces of the paper towel in your dog’s stool after a day or two, but it may be broken down completely in the digestive tract.

Are There Any Other Risks to Be Aware Of?

Many paper towels are treated with chemicals like dye or bleach. Fortunately, the amount of chemicals contained in a single sheet of paper towel will not be enough to cause any issues.

In the scheme of things, paper towels are probably one of the least worrying items to be found in the kitchen or at a BBQ. However, the following is a list of common items that can be toxic or dangerous for your dog:

• Onions: Toxic to dogs
• Fatty meat: Can cause pancreatitis
• Grapes or raisins: Toxic to dogs
• Macadamia nuts: Toxic to dogs
• Corn on the cob: Common cause of intestinal blockage
• Skewers: Can cause perforation of the esophagus, stomach, or intestines if swallowed
• Chocolate: Contains a substance that can cause heart damage

If your dog likes to forage for unattended food, it may be better to keep them secured away from temptation until everything is safely packed away.

Conclusion

Dogs eating pieces of paper towel is a relatively common occurrence, particularly if that paper towel contains or smells like food. Most of the time, the paper towel will break down as it travels through the digestive system, causing little to no signs. However, if the towel is fairly thick and sturdy, it could form an obstruction, which will require urgent veterinary care.

If you are worried about what your dog has eaten, do not hesitate to speak to your vet for advice, as they can make a more specific assessment based on your dog and the towel in question. If your dog has managed to swallow a paper towel, you should make sure that this isn’t the only item to have made its way into your pet’s stomach, as there are far more dangerous things to be found on the dinner table.

Also see: 

• Why Do Dogs Eat Toilet Paper? Risks & Prevention Tips

• My Dog Swallowed an AirPod: Risks, Signs & Next Steps (Vet Answer)

Featured Image Credit: Muk Photo, Shutterstock