This dog blog will answer the most important question, “Can dogs eat coal?” we will also talk about the bad effects of coal on your dog’s health, the reasons why your dog eats coal, and the symptoms of coal poisoning in your dog.
Can dogs eat coal?
No, dogs cannot eat coal. It is not safe and healthy for your dog to eat coal because it can cause stomach upset and choking. Moreover, if it is tainted with lighter fluid it can cause toxicity in your dog. You better keep an eye on your dog when you are having a BBQ party at home.
What are the bad effects of coal on your dog’s health?
Following are the bad effects of coal on your dog’s health:
Stomach upset
The first and minor thing that eating coal can cause is stomach upset in your dog. Coal is wood that is not properly burnt. It is not properly digested by the dog’s stomach which can lead to stomach upset in your dog.
Following are the major symptoms of coal poisoning in your dog:
- Vomiting
- Dehydration
- Lethargy
- Abdominal pain
- Weakness
- Blood tinged diarrhea
Choking
The next problem is choking. Choking is the obstruction of the esophagus in the body. It can be painful for your dog as your dog cannot swallow food.
It can also be dangerous because the coal is stuck in the esophagus and can put pressure on the trachea which can lead to respiratory collapse and the death of your dog.
Following are the major signs of choking in your dog:
- Gagging
- Unable to vomit
- Head down to the ground
- Difficulty in breathing in the later stages.
Intestinal obstruction
If the coal managed to pass the esophagus it will surely stuck in the intestine because the intestine is narrower than the esophagus. The blockage of the intestine causes severe abdominal pain in your dog which your dog cannot handle.
If you suspect such a condition in your dog, look for the following signs in your dog:
- Little to no feces
- Severe abdominal pain
- Weakness
- Dehydration
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
Toxicity
The next problem is the toxicity in your dog. This is due to the lighter fluid that is used to burn wood. If your dog manages to eat lighter fluid, it will show the following signs in your dog:
- Seizures
- Incoordination
- Confusion
- Imbalance
- Tremors
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Lethargy
Why does your dog eat coal?
There are several reasons why your dog eats coal. Following are the major reasons for dogs eating coal:
Taste
The coal may smell or taste like food. This is because food is cooked over coal and coal may have traces of food.
This attracts the dog towards the coal and your dog will eat it. You should discard the used cola immediately after cooking.
Pica
Pica is a condition in which the dog eats non-food items. This is due to nutritional deficiency of minerals such as phosphorus in the body.
Your dog will also eat wood, plastic, and rocks. You should keep an eye on your dog so that you are aware of the condition of your dog.
Explore
Your dog is an explorer. Your dog will smell and taste everything new to your dog.
You should know about the habit of dogs and better keep the unhealthy things locked up in the cupboard.
What are the major symptoms of coal poisoning in your dog?
The symptoms of your dog depend upon several factors. These factors are listed below:
- If your dog has just licked the coal, your dog will be safe and it won’t cause any hazard.
- If your dog has consumed a small amount of coal, look for abnormal signs in your dog if you see them call your vet.
- If your dog has consumed too much coal, you should hurry and take your dog to the vet so that he can save your dog.
What can your vet do to save your dog?
Your vet will quickly take history from you. You should tell him about the incident and complete detail of your dog including the breed, age, sex, weight, and past medical history.
After that, your vet will decide whether to go for vomiting or other means of treatment. Vomiting can prove lethal as the coal can stuck in the esophagus.
Your vet might perform some tests such as x-rays or ultrasound to locate the coal in the abdomen. After that, he will discuss with you the possible options of treatment.
Conclusion
In this dog article, we answered the question, “Can dogs eat coal?” we also talked about the bad effects of coal on your dog’s health, the reasons why your dog eats coal, and the symptoms of coal poisoning in your dog.
References
https://dogbreedsfaq.com/dog-questions/dog-pros-and-cons/why-do-dogs-eat-charcoal/
