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My puppy ate trash and has an upset stomach. Could it be poisoning?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Male | unneutered | 40 lbs

Hello. I have a lab/pitbull mix, he is six months old and his stomach has been making sounds as well as (3) hiccups or/ coughs. His brother (same mix and age) died a weekend ago for unknown reasons. We are unable to take him to a vet but are scared that he may have poisioning. The dogs got into trash from a neighbors, do you think that might be a possibility?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr Stafford, BVetMed, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Published on June 16th, 2017

What a lovely pup! It sounds like Bud has quite an upset stomach, he may have eaten something that hasn't agreed with him or been off. In that case he should be okay and if you starve him for 24 hours then feed bland rice and chicken for a few days his stomach should settle. However, it could be something more serious, if Bud seems dull or lethargic or starts vomiting I would urge you to take him to the vet. More serious conditions would be poisoning or an obstruction. Go to the vet immediately if his stomach looks bloated. Finally, if his brother has died recently there is a chance Bud could have an underlying condition from birth, hopefully not though.
Keep a really close eye on him and if he seems really sick or dull please go to the vet.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on August 27th, 2019
Poor guy. I would monitor for now to see what happens here. If he starts developing symptoms of an obstruction such as: vomiting food and water, refusing to eat, producing few to little stools, +/- lethargy, then its best to take him to your vet for treatment. Not all ingested material will cause a permanent blockage, so lets hope that this passes ok. You can try offering a bland diet of boiled plain chicken OR lean ground turkey and white rice for now to help ease his stomach. Also its best to take him on two 20 minute brisk walks daily to help encourage his GI tract to move this along. Most ingested material that isn't food can take anywhere from 2-7 days in worst case scenarios, to pass. However, if he acts ill as I have mentioned above, then its best to take him to your vet for a possible blockage.
I hope that Akchi does well moving forward and is able to pass this rubber piece ok. If it is small enough there is a good chance it can pass. Best wishes and take care!
3Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Sara Farmer, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on April 8th, 2020
It sounds like Buddy isn't feeling well - he might be constipated which can cause some abdominal pain and decrease in appetite, or he could actually have diarrhea. He may have eaten something that is causing an intestinal obstruction or he could have a fever or infectious disease. I would recommend having a vet examine him to help determine what might be going on.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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