Insulation is used to keep your house cool in summers and warm in the winters. Insulation can be found in most places in your home like the walls, roof, attic, basement, ceilings, etc. Typically, your dog shouldn’t be able to get to this material, but if there is a renovation going on or your pup can be destructive, then caution is advised. If your dog just so happens to eat the insulation in your home, they can come across health issues. You can avoid these problems by keeping your dog away from this danger in your home. Here is essential information that you should know if your dog has eaten insulation.

Why is Insulation Dangerous to Dogs?

Insulation is made up of hazardous materials that are dangerous for any person or animal to ingest. Older homes may even have insulation that contains toxic lead. Insulation is primarily treated with chemicals to make them long-lasting and to keep rodents from eating them.

The primary hazard is that it can cause an intestinal obstruction. Ingestion of these items may result in an emergency trip to the vet if they get lodged in your dog’s digestive system. While unlikely, materials such as fiberglass could damage the intestines when swallowed. When broken, these fibers pose a choking hazard for your pup’s intestines and digestive system. Take your dog to the vet clinic immediately if you fear they ate any insulation or have detected any materials in the stool.

Signs Your Dog Eating Insulation

Your dog might not be behaving like their usual self. Complications can range from blockage in the intestines to bleeding internally to even death. More symptoms include nausea, vomiting, lethargy, bloating, and noticeable pain. If your dog is exhibiting any of these, get in touch with your vet as soon as possible.

Treatment

Your veterinarian will use an X-ray to see if the insulation is lodged in your dog’s digestive system. If you can, bring a piece of the insulation material your dog ate to the vet. This will help the vet evaluate the toxicity level of the substance and determine if any further damage has been caused.

Some interior obstructions need surgery. Your veterinarian may use an endoscope with a camera attached to examine your pup’s stomach and intestines for signs of internal injury or obstruction. Using the endoscope, they may be able to remove the block. Any signs of poisoning will be treated by your veterinarian when the insulating substance is removed.

How to Prevent Your Dog from Eating Insulation

You don’t want your dog to get hurt or sick if you can prevent it. You can take preventative steps to stop your dog from eating insulation in the future. Some steps are included below:

• Block your dog off from coming into contact with insulation in or out of the house.
• Patch up any holes that are exposing insulation.
• Keep building materials out of reach so your dog cannot get into it.
• Do NOT use household insulation in dog houses.

If your dog has eaten insulation, immediately contact your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline® at (855) 764-7661 to get treatment for your pet. A clinic visit may be necessary. Take the steps listed above to eliminate the danger for your dog.