X-Rays & Odd Finds: The Strangest Things Pets Swallowed This Year
If you’ve ever had a playful pup or a curious cat, you’ve no doubt asked the question, “What’s in your mouth?” At Animal Care Unlimited, we’ve seen our share of odd surprises—thanks to pet X-rays that reveal what our four-legged friends somehow manage to swallow.
From socks to squeaky toys, to things we still can’t identify, foreign body ingestion in pets is one of the most common emergency vet cases we see. While it can be serious (and even life-threatening), it’s also a reminder that our pets often explore their surroundings with their mouths, so we need to do our best to keep strange items off the menu.
Dogs and Their Delightfully Questionable Taste
Things dogs swallow can range from the mildly amusing to the downright shocking. Case in point: How does a dog swallow a tennis ball?
The following strange items have shown up in pet X-rays:
- Socks
- Underwear
- Rubber duck
- Engagement ring
- Shoe insert
- Baby clothes
- Tiny toys
- Tennis balls
- Peach pits
Curious Cats Are Sneaky Snackers
Not to be outdone by things dogs swallow, cats have been known to sample their fair share of strange items. Tinsel, hair ties, rubber bands, and earbuds are popular choices for feline foragers. Even mini action figures have found their way into the tummies of cats, who aren’t always as finicky as we’d like them to be.
Why Pets Swallow Strange Items
Most of the time, it comes down to curiosity and playfulness. Puppies are teething and chew everything. Cats love to play apex predator, and sometimes their “prey” ends up down the hatch. But foreign body ingestion in pets can lead to dangerous blockages or internal injuries.
Watch for these signs if you’re concerned your pets swallowed strange objects:
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Refusing food
- Showing signs of discomfort
- Distended tummy
- Straining to go number two or a lack of stool in the litter box
If you spot these signs of foreign body ingestion in pets, don’t wait. Call your emergency vet right away.
When in Doubt, Check It Out
Veterinary X-rays are an essential tool in diagnosing foreign body cases. They help us spot non-digestible items quickly so we can take action, whether that’s inducing vomiting, endoscopic retrieval, or, in serious cases, surgery.
What You Can Do at Home
- Pet-proof your space just like you would for a toddler.
- Keep small, shiny, or chewy things out of reach.
- Watch for missing items that could have been swallowed.
- Make sure your pet is eating a well-balanced diet.
- Provide plenty of constructive playtime and mental stimulation for your pets.
Worried Your Pets Swallowed Strange Objects?
Contact us right away at (614) 766-2317 or visit our website to schedule an appointment. Our expert team is here for you with advanced veterinary X-rays, emergency care, and a whole lot of compassion—because we know pets will be pets!