What I Learned After Georgie Swallowed Something He Shouldn’t Have

Last Tuesday Georgie ate my sock and acted like I’d wronged him when I took it back. He gave me that look, the one that says, “I was just getting to the good part, you barbarian.” He’s a morkie, a tiny little fluffball, but in his mind, he’s a wolf, stalking prey. That prey often turns out to be my socks, my hair ties, or, on one memorable occasion, a sizable chunk of the bathroom mat. It’s a constant battle, and honestly, if you’re asking for advice on this, you’re probably in the thick of it yourself. So let’s get real.

Immediate Action: The First 15 Minutes Are Crucial

Okay, so it happened. Georgie, in all his majestic wolf-like glory, scarfed down something that definitely wasn’t kibble. My first experience with this was terrifying. He’d snagged a stray chicken bone from the sidewalk (don’t ask me how, he’s like a tiny vacuum cleaner). I freaked out. My immediate reaction was to try and physically get it out of his mouth, which, surprise surprise, just made him swallow it faster. That was a rookie mistake. Don’t do that. You risk getting bitten, and you risk pushing it further down.

What I learned is, if you see them do it, and it’s something small and soft, like a piece of cloth or a hair tie, you have a tiny window. For Georgie, if I can catch him in the act with something like a small piece of a paper towel, I might be able to calmly open his mouth and scoop it out. But this is rare, because he’s a ninja. If it’s anything sharp, large, or something like a battery (god forbid), DO NOT attempt this yourself. Call your vet IMMEDIATELY. Have their number on speed dial, seriously. I use my local VCA hospital number. Even if it’s after hours, they usually have an emergency line. They’ll tell you if you need to induce vomiting or rush him in.

Inducing Vomiting: A Vet’s Instructions Only

My vet once told me that sometimes, for certain ingestions, they might recommend inducing vomiting at home. This is NOT something you ever, ever do without explicit instructions from a vet. Trust me, I Googled it once, saw “hydrogen peroxide,” and almost went for it. Luckily, I called the vet first. They explained that inducing vomiting can be dangerous depending on what was swallowed. For example, if it’s something caustic like a cleaning product, bringing it back up can cause more damage to the esophagus. If it’s something sharp, it could cause internal tearing on the way out. They also need to know the correct dosage of hydrogen peroxide, which is based on the dog’s weight, and how to administer it safely. Georgie’s a small guy, so the dosage is tiny. It’s not like giving him a spoonful. Plus, they might want you to come in anyway if they think not everything came up. So, call the vet. Seriously. Don’t be a hero. They’re the experts, and they know Georgie better than Google does.

The Waiting Game: What to Watch For

Alright, so let’s say Georgie swallowed something and the vet said to monitor him, or maybe it was something small and non-toxic like a piece of my slipper (again). This is where his “inner wolf” really shines, because he’ll pretend absolutely nothing happened. He’ll still demand belly rubs from his brother, Teddy, who mostly tolerates him, and stare at me with those judgmental eyes when I don’t share my snacks. But you need to be observant. For the next 24-72 hours, I’m basically a private investigator.

I’m looking for any changes in his behavior:

• Vomiting or retching: Is he bringing things up? Is it just bile, or bits of what he ate? Is it frequent?
• Diarrhea or straining to defecate: Is his poop normal? Is he having trouble going? Is there blood? (Gross, but vital information).
• Loss of appetite or refusing water: Georgie never turns down food. If he does, something is seriously wrong.
• Lethargy or weakness: Is he less energetic than usual? Is he moving slowly?
• Abdominal pain or discomfort: Is he whimpering when you touch his stomach? Is it bloated?
• Coughing or difficulty breathing: Could indicate something is stuck in his airway.

Keep a close eye on his poops too. Sometimes the offending item will pass. I’ve found everything from hair ties to small bits of plastic in Georgie’s stool. It’s disgusting, but also a huge relief to see it out. If nothing comes out after a few days and you’re still seeing symptoms, it’s back to the vet for sure.

Preventative Measures: Because They’re Little Scavengers

After a few close calls, I’ve become pretty militant about “Georgie-proofing” the house. He thinks everything is a toy, and his brother Teddy is useless when it comes to self-preservation, so I have to be extra vigilant.

Toy Rotation and Supervision

Georgie has a million toys, but his favorite “toys” are often things that aren’t toys. Teddy, bless his heart, often steals Georgie’s actual toys, which I think fuels Georgie’s need to find “better” things to play with, like my charging cables. I used to leave all their toys out, but now I rotate them. It keeps them more interested in their actual toys and less interested in my belongings. And honestly, I supervise chew time. Georgie can destroy a “tough” toy faster than you can say “vet bill.”

Appropriate Chew Toys

I’ve tried all sorts of chew toys. Those rawhide things? No. Just no. Georgie swallows big chunks of them and then pukes them up. Not worth it. I tried antlers, but they were too hard and I worried about his teeth. What actually works for Georgie are the Nylabone Dura Chew bones (the ones that look like plastic bones, not the edible ones). He loves them, and while he does manage to wear them down, he doesn’t break off large, ingestible pieces. For softer chewing, he’s obsessed with the KONG Classic, filled with peanut butter. It keeps him occupied for ages, and it’s practically indestructible.

Doggie Backpack/Vests for Walks

On walks, Georgie is a magnet for dropped food, sticks, and general sidewalk nastiness. I used to just use a regular collar and leash, but he’s so low to the ground, his nose is constantly in “foraging” mode. I switched to a Ruffwear Front Range Harness, $40 on Amazon. It’s great for leash control, but it doesn’t stop him from sniffing. What I recently tried, and it’s been a game-changer, is a small doggie backpack for him to wear on walks. I put a small, empty plastic bag in each side to give it some bulk, and I swear, it distracts him. He’s so focused on carrying his “pack” that he spends less time trying to eat questionable sidewalk debris. Plus, he looks ridiculous and adorable, which is a bonus.

Training: Leave It!

This is probably the most important thing. “Leave it!” is a command I drilled into Georgie. It’s saved him more times than I can count. Start with something he likes but isn’t obsessed with, put it on the floor, and when he goes for it, cover it with your hand and say “Leave it!” Reward him when he backs off. Practice, practice, practice. It’s literally a life-saving command.

If your dog swallowed something he shouldn’t have, I’d call the vet. Every single time.

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