While toys can provide lots of fun for our furry friends, it's important to be careful and keep a close watch as they do carry a risk.
Even if a dog toy is non-toxic, it causes a risk if if your dog swallows it – which can result in injuries and leave you with hefty vet bills.
A vet has now issued an urgent warning after a five-month-old puppy ate an entire dog toy, which left him in grave condition.
Red Labrador Rango was left in a critical condition after ingesting a rope toy that bad been left by a visitor, and as a result underwent surgery to have 70% of his small intestine removed.
Dr Sheldon Steinmetz BVMS, MRCVS, BS, MAg. PA, said: "Rango had tragically been the victim of an unattended rope toy which he, as a young pup, decided to eat.
"This is one of the most devastating things that a dog can swallow; once the strand of rope gets into the small intestine it is almost impossible for it to pass naturally."
"I would say that he had a 15% chance of survival due to how sick he was and the damage that had been done."
Katie McCaul (BSc DipNat VN ANutR), expert nutritionist at Tuggs, is now urging pet owners to provide their dogs with safe toys.
She said: "Dogs have a natural instinct to chew, and it's not uncommon for them to chew or even swallow toys that catch their attention."
The expert explains that this can be "deadly," so if it happens "you should monitor them for signs of gastrointestinal distress, such as vomiting, diarrhoea, or loss of appetite"
Katie added: "If you notice any concerning symptoms, you should contact your veterinarian immediately."
After the harrowing ordeal, Rango was struggling to eat, but was able to make a full recovery by finding an alternative solution that would be more digestible for him.
Rango's breeder decided to start feeding him insect-based dog food Tuggs, which had seen promising results in a trial. It concluded that puppies being fed an insect-based protein diet had better body condition score than those being fed a raw diet.
Rango began to slowly recover by eating more food day by day, aided by Tuggs' recipes which gave him all the nutrients he needed.
The pup has now been adopted by a family and is enjoying life to the fullest.
However, his journey serves as a reminder of the importance of keeping a close eye on our pets and providing them with safe toys and appropriate nutrition.
Katie added: "The best way to prevent your dog from eating inappropriate objects is to provide them with safe, appropriate chew toys and supervise them during playtime. Exercise and mental stimulation can also reduce a dog's urge to chew on things it shouldn't.
"If you notice that your dog is starting to chew on a toy aggressively or is showing signs of trying to swallow it, take the toy away and replace it with a safe alternative. Teach your dog the 'leave it' command to help them understand that certain things are off-limits!”
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