We’ve all caught a dog eating something they aren’t supposed to, but finding them with something more peculiar, like a wooden spoon, can cause concern.
If you’ve found yourself in this position, stay calm! You are not alone here. Many have experienced this too. So, is your dog okay?
The short answer, your dog will be alright in most cases.
Our article will dive into specifics discussing what to do, side effects to look for, motivation for eating wooden spoons, and safe ways to add alternatives to the everyday.
Good luck with your adventurous eaters, and hopefully, this article helps!
What to do if your dog has eaten a wooden spoon
1) Remove any remains of the spoon
So, you’ve caught your dog eating a wooden spoon. First things first, clean up any remaining scraps or pieces that may be around.
We all know a dog loves to come back for leftovers, whatever they may be, so to avoid further complications, pick up the area.
Gathering remnants will also help you determine how much of the wooden spoon remains and how much is inside your dog.
If you are immediately concerned that your pal isn’t their usual self, I’d recommend taking a photo before picking up.
You can track your animals’ well-being through a series of pictures if you believe they are getting sick.
The image can be helpful in the event of relaying information to your vet if further examination is required.
2) Assess the dog for any immediate unusualness
As you are cleaning or taking photos, assess your dog’s actions. Do they seem to be acting in their typical ways? Or do they appear a little different from usual?
Check out their body physically to ensure nothing is hurting them or any wooden pieces are stuck on their coat.
The most crucial part to check is the mouth. Note any shards that may remain there, and dislodge them if possible.
Make sure to continue to note this for the next 24-48 hours. Or until they’ve had a bowel movement that showcases the wooden spoon.
You’ll find that many dogs are OK and will continue like normal. Most wooden spoons are softer in material that they’ll break down enough not to hurt your dog’s inside.
3) Continue to monitor
As mentioned, the main thing to best help your dog through this situation is to monitor their activity.
We are looking for consistency in their normal daily behavior. Take into account what is normal for your dog, but here are a few ideas to watch:
- social interactions
- eating habits
- their bathroom schedule
The normalcy in daily activities will usually tell you that your dog is passing the wooden spoon healthily. Give it time to come out on the other side.
If you see inconsistencies with your dog, continue documenting with pictures or take notes.
There’s another recommendation we’ll address in the next section that may act as a laxative of sorts. Consult your vet if you feel your dog is in a more complicated space.
4) Feed your dog these specifics foods to help it pass
Your dog may be uncomfortable while digesting that spoon. To help your pup pass the utensil, feed it a fiber-soluble food if you feel comfortable trying one.
- A portion of lower-brow dog food containing Metamucil
- Pumpkin puree
- Water-soaked bread crumbs
Fibrous foods are what help any of us with bathroom woes. The trick here is finding something that has moisture to counterbalance any dehydration possibilities.
In most cases, this has helped other owners’ dogs pass the spoon and return to everyday life.
Continuing to make sure your dog has enough water during this time period is beneficial.
Note: If your dog is constantly chewing and swallowing foreign objects, then we strongly recommend that you take a look at our 7-part series on how to correct every problematic behavior in 10 minutes.
Talk with your vet if this diet doesn’t yield results after a few days. Below are severe signs to know of if your dog continues to seem uneasy.
Serious side effects to be aware of
If there is trouble, contact your vet
You know your dog best. If, after reviewing the side effects below, you realize that your pal needs serious attention, call your vet.
Timing is so crucial. Talk to a professional if you suspect anything beyond the ordinary going on with your pet.
Your vet will be able to identify how your pup is doing and may have specific recommendations to follow.
Stomach pains
The first serious sign to look for is stomach pains. If your dog looks lethargic or sensitive, it may be experiencing stomach pain. Look for bloating.
Most likely, the bits are in its stomach. If you think your dog’s in enough pain that it may block an intestine, get to a vet right away. The mass is easier to retrieve in the stomach.
Irregular or unusual bowel movements
Another sign of being aware is your dog’s bathroom activity. Monitor your dog’s bowel movements during this time until the wood has passed.
If most droppings look typical, don’t worry, but continue to take note. On the other hand, if you start to notice anything unusual or irregular, it’s time to call the vet.
Be prepared to bring in a recent stool sample.
Vomiting
Lastly, and probably the most unmistakable sign to denote something is wrong, is vomiting. The wood could be in several places that make your dog vomit.
See if you can provide immediate relief by removing any outstanding wood pieces, but make an appointment.
Most likely, it’s a digestion issue, and your dog’s body has gone into overdrive in trying to help itself out.
Why would a dog want a wooden spoon?
Anxiety, boredom, or Pica
Dogs are complicated creatures that come with an array of unique dispositions. The way those habits surface can occur in so many ways.
Here are a few of the most common reasons a dog may seek a wooden spoon.
Anxiety can easily be translated into chewing, and what better option than a transportable wooden spoon?
Pure boredom is another motivation for this utensil’s demise. I somehow equate this to a person spending their afternoon whittling away.
Or, your dog may have Pica. Pica is an eating disorder in which (either humans, animals, or specifically) dogs enjoy eating non-traditional food items.
Teething or dental issues
Another reason your dog may be hunting wooden spoons may be for a few reasons.
The first being you probably have a puppy! Or a young dog who is still growing into its adult teeth.
A simple solution for a teething dog is to find a replacement toy that will emulate the feel of the spoon without any of the dangers.
Your local pet store could probably recommend some products that could do the trick.
The other being your dog may have some dental issues. This reasoning can be trickier to speak to, so you should talk to your vet.
Curiosity
Your dog just might be curious! Which isn’t a bad thing. It just has the potential to become dangerous.
A few boundaries and expectations can help your dog discern what’s okay to check out and what’s not.
Positive reinforcement can help drive this idea home during daily activities.
Say “no thanks” and call your dog away from something it shouldn’t be in. Then re-direct it with a toy or treat after listening to your command.
Teaching a dog is a process, but be patient and consistent. Your dog will learn! We know that accidents happen, especially concerning owning a pet!
Ways to avoid interest in wooden spoons
New chew activities or toys with similar texture
The best way to prevent this from happening again is to be proactive now! A great way to distract from wooden spoons is to introduce new chew activities or toys with a similar feel.
A replacement may take some experimenting. We’ve all bought a toy thinking our dog would love it, only to see it untouched amongst the others.
Depending on your budget, I’d choose a few simpler, cheaper items to test. If your dog takes to one, maybe look into a higher quality, or buy the item in multiples.
As I mentioned above, talking to your pet store about products akin to wooden spoons is a great way to find alternatives.
Add a new routine to the schedule
Another remedy to divert your dog from partaking in questionable activities is adding a new routine.
Take note of when your dog is at its most troublesome in the day. At that point, or an hour earlier, make time to plan something in that window for you and your pup!
Most likely, they are trying to show you that they need some energy expelled, and a walk, playing in the yard, training session, etc., should do the trick.
The new addition will help your dog curb any destructive or restless feeling if it can come to expect that time as an activity.
Stimulating a dog’s brain is an essential deterrent to bad habits!
Final thoughts
Your dog should be okay if it’s gotten a hold of a wooden spoon. Just make sure to keep an eye on them!
Dogs are very resilient and will showcase any signs or symptoms if something is wrong. Continue to monitor the goings-on until your dog has successfully passed the spoon.
If you feel that there’s something off about your dog’s behavior due to the incident, don’t hesitate to call your vet right away.
Once your dog returns to its usual self, start or continue proactive measures to prevent this from happening again.
Remember, though, accidents happen to every dog, and you and your pup aren’t alone! Tune into your dog’s wants and needs, which should help lead your dog away from the utensil drawer.