Few of us, and certainly not our dogs, can resist a freshly baked cupcake!
So, unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for a dog to gobble up a tasty cupcake that’s been left within reach and then eat the wrapper!
Small traditional wax paper wrappers may pass through a dog’s gut without causing a significant problem. Though some materials are more dangerous than others, they are relatively safe in most cases. The humble cupcake may also pose some serious health risks to your dog.
Let’s have a quick overview of what to do if my dog ate wax paper.
Table of Contents
What is Wax Paper? Where is it Used?
A wax paper is a type of paper with a wax coating.
Wouldn’t it have been impossible for you to guess?
The wax paper becomes waterproof and breathable due to this treatment, making it ideal for use with food in various ways in the kitchen. The wax paper is best used on countertops when rolling out pie crusts or kneading bread.
It’s also great for lining a tray for making fudge or wrapping food to keep it fresh while storing it. Because it has so many applications, you should never use it for cooking or baking. For that, you’ll need parchment paper.
Is wax or wax paper consumption dangerous?
Should you be concerned if your dog ate wax or wax paper?
It depends!!
While the wax itself is supposed to be non-toxic, the scents used to make the candle or wax smell nice may be toxic. These wax-containing substances can be poisonous such as perfumes and essential oils.
The good news is that most wax contains trace amounts of these substances and may not be harmful if consumed. But, if a dog eats a large part, the dog may develop toxic symptoms such as:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Panting/breathing difficulties
- Lethargic
- Appetite loss
- Abdominal ache
- Constipation
What Happens If The Dog Ate a Wax Candle?
Wax candles are commonly made of paraffin, beeswax, or soy. None of such substances are toxic to dogs. They soften and pass quickly through the dog’s digestive tract when ingested. Metal components of the wick and candle base may also become lodged in the GI tract.
If My Dog Ate Wax Paper- What Would Happen Next?
If your dog ate wax paper, he needs to be seen by a veterinarian. They will begin by taking a detailed history from you to assess the level of risk.
They will then examine your dog thoroughly and advise you on the next steps. If they believe the wax paper is likely to pass through, they may wait and monitor it.
If they suspect that the wax paper is causing a blockage, they will conduct tests such as x-rays, ultrasound examinations, and blood work. If the wax paper is causing a blockage, your veterinarian will discuss surgical options to remove it while your pet sedates.
What Are The Possible Outcomes If My Dog Ate Wax Paper?
Here are some of the possible outcomes if your dog ate wax paper:
Dog passes the wax paper.
In many cases, even a tiny amount of wax paper may pass through the gut without causing any problems for the next 48-72 hours, especially in larger breed dogs. However, it’s not uncommon for canines to have little diarrhea and an upset stomach after eating unpalatable.
Dog vomits up wax paper at home
This is another option, but it can be difficult to tell if the entire wax paper has been brought up. If you can stomach it, put on gloves and try to figure out how much of the wax paper has been brought up. If you are unsure, or if the vomiting persists, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Blockage and Perforation
One of the most severe consequences of a dog swallowing a wax paper is a blockage of the intestine. This is also called an ‘intestinal obstruction.’ Your veterinarian will have to surgically remove the wax paper from your dog’s intestines or stomach.
An obstruction, if left untreated, can cause perforation of the gut and leakage of gut contents into the abdomen. This results in a potentially fatal infection known as septic peritonitis.
True bowel obstructions never resolve independently, and time is of the essence. Early treatment is frequently significantly less expensive and safer than postponement.
What To Do If a Dog Ate Wax Paper?
We all know how rambunctious dogs can be. They are naturally curious, which means they will get up to no good in various ways. It could be running away to chase an animal, playing in the neighbors yard, or climbing onto the counter to steal some of your food and ate wax paper.
Here are the 5 steps to take if your dog ate wax paper:
Step 1: Stay Calm
Freaking out will only make you more stressed and impair your decision-making abilities. Your panic may also irritate your dog, which is very sensitive to problems in its owners. So, it’s better to stay calm even if your dog is choking or in severe pain.
Step 2: Locate the Source of Wax Paper
When your canine pal wants the food, they are unlikely to care about any fact, and they will rip and tear through the wax paper to get to it. Retrace your steps to find it, which will most likely be in the kitchen or a garbage can.
When you find the source, you can estimate how much they ate and quickly determine how serious it is.
Step 3: Determine What Was On It
It could be as innocuous as a piece of baked bread or something far more harmful to their health. Whatever was on that wax paper could have been the deciding factor in how bad it was.
If your dog ate wax paper that contained chocolate, grease, or something else that is either highly harmful to their digestive system or potentially fatal, you must act quickly. If they were rummaging through the trash, they could also have eaten something old and yucky, which could make them very upset.
Step 4: Contact the veterinarian
If your dog exhibits any of the symptoms, such as dizziness, disorientation, choking, and so on, you must be aware of the signs and know how to properly administer the dog.
You should contact your veterinarian to schedule an appointment to get some X-rays and see where the situation is.
Step 5: Keep an eye on your dog’s health
Keep a close eye on your dog if they puke up the wax paper or poop it out. Even if they appear to have removed it all from their system, it is possible that they only ate a small amount.
Check their stool after every trip to the bathroom for pieces of wax paper, which could indicate that their body is doing well at removing it. It would be best if you also looked for blood or discoloration, showing that the body is having difficulty passing it.
Wrapping Up!
While an average paper muffin or cupcake wrapper is unlikely to cause problems in most dogs, silicon foil, and wax paper are more toxic. You should also check whether any toxic ingredients were consumed in conjunction with the wax paper.
If your dog ate one while not looking, you should contact your veterinarian right away. They will be able to advise you on the best course of action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Dog Digest Butter Paper?
Because butter is greasy, it can aid in the passage of the paper via your dog’s digestive system. But, if you have a small dog, the paper could cause an intestinal blockage. Most dogs will get diarrhea after eating butter.
What Happens If The Dog Ate Wax Paper?
Unless the dog ate an entire roll of waxed paper, there should be no problem. Keep an eye on him until you see he’s pooped.
