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My dog ate a dry erase marker. Should I take him to the vet?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Male | neutered | 10 months and 3 days old | 20 lbs

My dog seems to have ate a dry erase marker and this is the remains. Should I wait it out and see if it passes or take him to the vet? He just ate it this morning so I can’t tell if his energy level is any different yet.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Sarah Box, BVSc

Veterinarian

Published on July 20th, 2018

Silly Kobe! It’s always amazing what dogs will chew on. It doesn’t look like he likely ingested much of the marker, and if he DID swallow any of it he probably chewed it up pretty good. I would monitor him for now, and check his poop to make sure anything he did eat is padding (may take 24-48h). If you notice Kobe starting to become lethargic, if he’s off his food, or start to vomit then please take him to your vet for evaluation. The vet will likely need some X-rays to check for intestinal obstruction. If Kobe has evidence of an obstruction he may need surgery to remove it.
I hope Kobe does ok. Monitor him carefully, and supervise him carefully (even lock him in a kennel if you aren’t home) to help prevent accidental infections in the future.

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on December 17th, 2016
That was naughty of Kobe! At this point in time, there is nothing you can do but monitor him. It is not recommended to include vomiting, as it may do damage to his esophagus on the way out. This pencil may or may not pass, and you should monitor him for the next 72 hours for signs of obstruction. They include vomiting, diarrhea, blood in the feces (trauma to the GI tract from the pencil), anorexia, lethargy, and constipation. Should Kobe show any of those signs, I would take him into a vet immediately. You can give him a slice of whole wheat bread now, and one with every meal to try to form a ball of ingesta around the pencil to cushion it as it passes through the GI tract, Keep an eye on his feces for the pencil, and if it doesn't appear in 72 hours, I would take him into the vet for an exam.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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