My Dog is Eating Sand! How to Stop Dangerous Sand Ingestion (2024)

FAQs

My Dog is Eating Sand! How to Stop Dangerous Sand Ingestion? ›

The best way to avoid sand impaction is to prevent your pet from swallowing the sand – so if you catch them deliberately eating it, be sure to intervene! Reduce your pet's sand consumption by helping rinse off toys and by not throwing any treats for your dog directly into the sand – use a dish or clean towel instead.

If your pet has eaten a moderate amount of sand, your vet will want to take X-rays to see if the sand is causing impactions of blockages in the bowel or the stomach. Pets that do not have blockages forming will need to be given subcutaneous or IV fluids and might be given anti-nausea medications and pain medications.

In moderate cases of sand impaction, the vet will likely treat your dog using fluids and stronger medicines, which would require your dog to stay at the vet's overnight. Severe cases of sand impaction, that don't respond well to treatment, might lead to your dog needing surgery to remove the impacted sand.

Preventing sand impaction is always better than treating it. Supervise play and keep a close eye on your dog when at the beach or in sandy environments. Avoid playing fetch directly on the sand and discourage digging in sandy areas. Always provide fresh water to reduce the temptation to drink from sandy water.

It may take a few weeks to pass all the sand, and the consumption of salt in the water may further complicate the situation.

As discussed, a small volume of sand ingestion is not harmful but if your pet develops clinical signs, please seek veterinarian care. If your dog eats sand and you're not sure if the amount is okay, or if you notice any of the symptoms of sand impaction in dogs mentioned above, contact VEG as soon as possible.

However, if too much sand is ingested it can lead to sand impaction. This is when the sand causes a blockage in the intestines. If your pup is vomiting, seems to be constipated, has abdominal pain, loss of appetite, or lethargy after a visit to the beach, it may indicate sand has been ingested.

Clean Water: It is recommended that giving your dog spring water is best as it provides natural nutrients and minerals. These natural nutrients would help cleanse out any toxins in your dog's digestive system. Keeping your dog hydrated is important when your dog is going through an upset stomach.

Sand ingestion can cause severe enteritis as well as a small intestinal obstruction. Large intestinal impaction has also been reported (1). Small intestinal impactions can be treated medically or surgically (2,3). Medical management typically involves rehydration with intravenous (IV) fluids.

It's much easier to brush sand out of dry fur than it is wet fur. Towel dry your dog as best you can to remove sand that may be sticking to their coat. Using a plush towel is a great way to promote quick drying and toweling your dog down will also help loosen up any extra debris that is deep in your dog's fur.

Why has my dog started eating sand? ›

Your dog may just simply like the taste of sand or they may be experiencing a condition called Pica. Pica (pronounced Pie-Kuh) is a dog eating disorder that involves eating non-digestible items. This can be anything from rocks, human clothing, glass, coins to batteries, bark, wires, gravel, or – you guessed it – sand.

Most cases of constipation are relatively easy to treat. The first step is to loosen or remove the impacted, hardened fecal matter. Removal may be accomplished through the use of one or a combination of therapies, including enemas, manual removal, and medications.

There could be a few different reasons why she's eating sand: Your dog may just like the taste. Or your dog's dirt eating could actually be a search for minerals, vitamins or even good probiotic bacteria that he isn't getting in his diet.

The vet will most likely examine your dog's abdomen, take some x-rays or an ultrasound, and make recommendations from there. Treatments may include pain medicine, and IV fluids to help pass the sand, or in extreme cases, they may need surgery to remove the blockage.

Common symptoms of sand impaction include vomiting, seeming constipated, pain in the abdomen, loss of appetite, or becoming lethargic after visiting the beach or playground with sand. Signs can develop anywhere from a few hours after exposure to a few days later.

If you see your dog vomiting or experiencing loose stools after a beach outing, you should seek veterinary attention promptly. These symptoms can quickly lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and further complications if left untreated.

Sand can also cause damage if it gets on the dog's face. Don't let them rub it off as it could irritate the skin or eyes. Use a warm, wet towel to clean the grains off their delicate face. The sand at the beach can also obscure items that could be dangerous to your doggie's delicate paws.

It's much easier to brush sand out of dry fur than it is wet fur. Towel dry your dog as best you can to remove sand that may be sticking to their coat. Using a plush towel is a great way to promote quick drying and toweling your dog down will also help loosen up any extra debris that is deep in your dog's fur.