My dog just ate inedible food preservatives - is that ok?

[rh71]

It's some sort of white powder in a little bag that states "not edible"... you know... the packages they put in with snack-type food. I don't know how much was in the bag, but only 1/4 amount of the bag left... and some of the powder was on the floor. Don't even know if he decided to eat it...

He looks ok but he didn't want to sleep as he normally does when I left him this morning. He's a 10lb Pomeranian so I'm thinking even a small amount can affect him. Should I be worried?

 

[Modeps]

dogs eat their own poop and it doesnt bother them.

 

[ChrichtonsGirl]

Are you talking about silica? I don't think I've ever seen it in snack foods, but I get them all the time in boxes of new shoes and other inedible things.

I'm not sure what silica does to a body if you eat it, but to be safe, why not just call the vet's office and ask? Smaller dogs seem to be a lot more delicate than your average Labrador or Retriever.

*Edit - okay, if it was silica, here's some info I found from the ASPCA:

"You know not to eat those paper or plastic packets often found in shoe boxes, bottles of medication and vitamins and some food items--but your pet doesn't. Used to absorb moisture, the packets contain silica gel, which is considered chemically and biologically inert upon ingestion. However, reports Jill A. Richardson, DVM, of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), gastrointestinal upset *has* been seen in dogs and cats who have accidentally eaten one of these packets. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting and lack of appetite.
There can be additional harmful effects, particularly if the packet was used for medication. "Silica acts as a dessicant and can absorb qualities of a medicine when it's in a medicine bottle," explains Richardson. "So, for example, if your dog ate a silica gel pack that came out of your heart medication, the silica could absorb the qualities of the heart medication and cause similar adverse effects." Companion animal caretakers should be extra careful to keep these packets out of their pet's reach."

 

[Lucky]

silica absorbs moisture and fluids.

 

[DanFungus]

POMERANIANS ARE SOOOOOO COOL!!! I want a Pomeranian and a wiener dog! That'd be awesome.....

 

[rh71]

Here is Simba

He's ok... we went home during lunch to check on him and he's as vibrant and disobedient as always... thx guys.

 

[sandmanwake]

If it's inedible, how did he manage to eat it? Is he some magic dog with magic powers, six legs, wings, and a horn? Well, is he?

On the bright side, since it's preservative he swallowed, when he dies, you won't even have to get him embalmed, he'll stay nice and fresh for the next hundred years.


Just kidding. Hope your dog's alright. I'm just bored right now. I think I'll go find something to do now.