Veterinary Emergency Center of Redlands

My Pet Ate What?! When to Seek Emergency Care for Foreign Body Ingestion It happens fast - one moment your pet is playing, the next they’ve swallowed something they shouldn’t have. Socks, toys, corn cobs, bones, hair ties, and even rocks are common items pets ingest. While some small objects may pass on their own, others can become lodged in the stomach or intestines, causing serious and sometimes life-threatening complications. Warning signs of foreign body ingestion include vomiting, gagging, drooling, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, lethargy, straining to defecate, or changes in behavior. Cats may hide more often, while dogs may seem restless or uncomfortable. Unfortunately, symptoms don’t always appear right away - making early evaluation especially important. You should seek emergency veterinary care immediately if you know or suspect your pet swallowed an object, especially if it’s sharp, large, toxic, or made of string, rubber, or fabric. Delaying treatment can lead to intestinal blockage, perforation, infection, or the need for more invasive surgery.