Readers have responded to a recent article on the weirdest things dogs have eaten, sharing tales of canine consumption that range from the amusing to the alarming. Among the stories, a dog from the 1960s swallowed over 100 marbles out of jealousy, while a modern-day lurcher ingested plumber's tape that required manual extraction.
Marbles and Jealousy
Martin Jeeves of Cardiff recalls a story from the 1960s involving friends in Hampshire. Their dog became lethargic and unwell, prompting a visit to the vet. An operation revealed that the dog had swallowed more than 100 marbles, accumulated over time. The reason? Envy of the family's new kitten, which was receiving extra attention.
Nipple Cream, Underwear, and a Mouth Guard
Sarah McKeown, owner of a dog named Bertha, reports a laundry list of ingested items: a tube of nipple cream bought before childbirth, underwear extracted from a lidded laundry basket (later excreted that evening), a brand-new mouth guard prescribed by the dentist, and a rock. The mouth guard incident led McKeown to use the classic excuse "my dog ate it."
Plumber's Tape and a Surprise Extraction
Julia Cartlidge of Portishead, Somerset, describes an incident with her lurcher puppy, Rodney. He ate some plumber's tape left by her son. Upon arriving home, Cartlidge found tape hanging from his mouth, which pulled out easily. However, not all of it was retrieved. The next morning, during a walk, Rodney attempted to expel the remainder. Cartlidge found herself standing on the pavement, pulling yards of plumber's tape from the dog's bottom. She notes, "It did make me laugh and he didn't need a vet."
Rubber Duck and Red Nose: Expensive Removal
Tom Seymour of Cardiff shares that his border collie consumed a rubber bath duck and a Red Nose Day red nose. The cost to have them surgically removed was £1,400.
Veterinary Advice and Prevention
Veterinarians emphasize that dogs eating non-food items, known as pica, can lead to serious health issues including intestinal blockages. Owners are advised to keep small objects out of reach and seek immediate veterinary care if ingestion occurs. According to the RSPCA, common items swallowed include socks, stones, and toys, which can require expensive surgery.
