Dog Ate Tape : What Happens If My Dog Ate A Roll Of Tape? 7 Clear Facts

It can be very disconcerting to learn that your dog ate a roll of tape. The moment you make this discovery, you will probably want to know how the tape is likely to affect the dog, and what you can do about the whole situation. Read on, for answers.

If my dog ate a roll of tape, my biggest fear would be that the tape will choke the dog. Or if the dog manages to swallow it without choking, the tape may cause an internal obstruction.

Those are the biggest concerns, whether the dog ate clear tape or the dog ate tape of any other kind.

Much of course depends on how long ago the dog ate tape. If my dog ate tape just a few seconds or minutes ago, I would be especially worried about the choking possibility.

But if my dog ate tape quite a while ago, and there doesn’t seem to be any choking, my next worry would be that of the tape causing an internal obstruction in the dog’s tummy.

The size of the dog also matters. If my dog ate a roll of tape, and it is a very small dog, I would have more worry than if it were a bigger dog. This is because the chances of the tape going through the dog’s system successfully are higher if it is a bigger dog.

The type of tape eaten may also be a relevant consideration. Thus if my dog ate duct tape, the dog ate fiberglass insulation tape or the dog ate bandage tape, the implications may be different.

The same holds, if the dog ate painters tape, the dog ate clear tape, the dog ate bubble gum tape or if the dog ate masking tape.

What Is Tape Made Of?

Upon discovering that my dog ate a roll of tape, one of the key questions I would have is as to what the tape is made of.

Knowing what tape is made of can be helpful in understanding what happens when a dog eats tape.

Thus whether the dog ate clear tape or the dog ate tape of any other kind, the first key question would be on what the tape is made of.

The truth of the matter is that tape may be made using plastic film or paper. It can also be made using foil, cloth or, in some cases, a certain type of foam.

Whether the dog ate clear tape or non-clear tape may tell you the exact material…

In the clear adhesive part of the tape, we often find the substance we refer to as cellulose acetate.

Many tapes also tend to have a spool on which the manufacturers roll the adhesive parts.

And if my dog ate a roll of tape, I would be keen on knowing whether he ate the spool as well. Another consideration would be on what material the spool was made from.

These are relevant considerations, whether my dog ate fiberglass tape, the dog ate electrical tape or the dog ate piece of scotch tape.

A case in which my dog ate a roll of tape together with the spool would obviously be more worrisome.

It would be more worrisome than a case in which dog ate tape alone, without spool.

Thus if, say, the dog ate clear tape in roll with the spool, the spool would present additional risks.

The spool is sometimes made from cardboard. But it can also be a plastic or foil material spool.

Is Tape Toxic To Dogs?

After learning that my dog ate a roll of tape, another worry I would have is as to whether the tape is toxic to dogs.

Whether the dog ate clear tape or the non-clear type of tape, this would be a burning issue.

In any case where dog ate tape, it is reasonable for one to worry as to whether the tape is toxic.

For instance, if the dog ate painters tape, the key question would be, is painters tape toxic to dogs?

And if the dog ate white out tape, the burning question would be, is white out tape toxic to dogs?

In another case where the dog ate packing tape, one would be keen on knowing, is packing tape toxic to dogs?

The true position is that tape is not particularly toxic to dogs. Thus if my dog ate a roll of tape, I would find reassurance in the fact that the tape isn’t likely to directly poison the dog.

If there are harmful substances in it, those of the sort that can cause long-term harms, rather than immediate poisoning.

This fact is what may make dog duck tape eating harm in some cases.

Indeed, even if you research on is scotch tape toxic to dogs, is masking tape toxic to dogs or is duct tape toxic to dogs, the answer comes along these lines.

Even with regard to gorilla tape, there is nothing that makes such gorilla tape toxic to dogs in any exceptional way.

Further still, for a dog anti chew tape isn’t particularly toxic.

Actually, even if you take it further and research on is duct tape toxic to humans (or is duct tape non toxic to humans), the answer will be along these lines.

It (thankfully) isn’t particularly toxic.

Can Dogs Eat Tape?

So far, we have established that tape isn’t necessarily toxic to dogs. This then leads to the question on whether dogs can eat tape.

This may seem like a rhetorical question. But if my dog ate a roll of tape, one would be seeking for any sort of reassurance.

Whether the dog ate clear tape roll or the dog ate tape roll of any other type, one may end up with these sorts of questions.

The answer? Dogs can’t eat tape. They shouldn’t eat tape.

The tape may not necessarily be toxic to dogs. But it can cause choking. And in some cases, it can also cause internal obstructions.

Thus in the process of eating duct tape for instance, a dog may end up choking. Or you may find sellotape stuck in throat of dog, as the dog was attempting to eat it.

Even if a dog manages to swallow a piece of duct tape without choking, it may cause problems further down. It may cause issues such as internal blockages. Even a duct tape dog toy poses this risk.

As a matter of fact, if my dog ate tapeworms, I would be less worried than if the dog ate tape. That is because if the dog ate tapeworm, treatment will simply entail deworming.

But if the dog ate tape, and it causes internal blockage, the solution may require risky, complex and expensive surgery.

All in all, there are three key reasons why dogs can’t eat tape.

First is the fact that their bodies are unable to digest/break down the tape.

Second is the fact that the tape can choke them.

And third is the fact that the tape can cause them nasty internal blockages.

How Do Dogs End Up Eating Tape?

In a scenario where my dog ate a roll of tape, one would be keen on knowing how dogs end up ingesting these sorts of items.

Whether the dog ate clear tape roll or the dog ate tape of the non-clear variety, it can be interesting to know how dogs end up eating these types of things.

It is important to understand that dogs are naturally curious. They explore their world through their tongues, noses and such senses.

It is in the course of such exploration that dogs end up eating items like tape.

But there are also cases in which dogs can have conditions like pica, which cause them to prefer eating non-food items.

Normally though, you just find that the dog accidentally ate tape while exploring the world around it.

At least if my dog ate a roll of tape, that is the first possibility I would look into.

Even if the dog ate clear tape or the dog ate tape of non-clear variety, chances are that it would have been in the playful exploration context.

You may have purchased some duct tape, with the objective of learning how to make a duct tape dog leash. Then the dog comes across the duct tape. And he decides to experiment with it: by taking it into his mouth!

So that is how dogs end up eating tape.

What Happens When A Dog Eats Tape?

Upon learning that my dog ate a roll of tape, my biggest concern would be on what is likely to happen next.

For instance, if my dog ate clear tape roll, what is likely to happen next would be very concerning.

Similarly, if the dog ate tape of non-clear variety, what is likely to happen next would be cause for concern.

Indeed, you will often find someone (in an online dog forum) asking, my dog ate duct tape what will happen? Or my dog ate a small piece of insulation tape, what is likely to happen?

Some will be more specific, with questions like, my dog ate a foot long of duck tape what will happen?

By the way, this happens quite often. At least going by the number of my dog ate duct tape Reddit threads.

Now what happens if your dog eats duct tape or any other tape depends on the quantity of tape eaten and the dog’s size.

For instance, if my dog ate a roll of scotch tape, I would worry about worse outcomes than someone whose dog ate just a little strip of scotch tape.

The same applies if a dog ate 3m tape, in comparison to where the dog ate just 1 foot tape.

The size of dog matters. For a big adult Dachshund duct tape may just go through the digestive system, and come out as poop. But for a puppy duct tape of the same size may cause severe harm.

The duct tape puppy eats may cause choking, obstruction and so on.

All in all, when a dog eats tape, it may just go through the digestive system, and come out as poop.

But it may also cause choking or internal obstructions.

My Dog Ate A Roll Of Tape – Should I Be Worried?

As noted earlier, the tape may just go through the dog’s digestive system, and come out as poop.

But if your dog is not lucky, the tape may cause choking or internal blockages.

Even for a human, that is mostly what happens if you eat tape.

How much tape did the dog eat? What type of tape did the dog eat? How big is the dog? And how long ago did the dog eat the tape? Further, what symptoms has the dog been having since eating the tape?

If, for instance, a puppy ate tape moments ago, and it is gagging, this may be a sign of choking. So this would be worrisome.

Or if my dog swallowed tape and gauze, and is now vomiting and having diarrhea, that would be worrisome. These are possible signs of an obstruction.

The same may be the case, if the dog ate long piece of scotch tape and vomiting 2 days later.

Generally, you should worry if the dog ate the tape just a while ago, and is showing signs of choking.

It is also cause for worry if the dog ate the tape several days ago, and it is not coming out in the poop. This is particularly bad if there is vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and lethargy as well.

A key question to ask yourself is, how long does it take for a dog to pass something they swallowed? For instance, how long does it take for a dog to pass a wrapper?

If it is beyond that period, and the dog is not passing the tape, then that should be worrisome.

These guidelines apply, even if your dog ate clear tape or if the dog ate tape of any other type.

My Dog Ate A Roll Of Tape – What Is Likely To Happen?

Sometimes, the tape will just go through the dog’s digestive system, and emerge as poop.

For instance, most of the duct tape dogs eat just comes out as poop.

What if my dog ate tape dispenser, you may ask. Even if dog ate tape dispenser, it may just come out of the other end as poop.

At times though, there can be complications. The dog may choke on the tape. Or the tape may cause internal obstruction in the dog.

Thus for instance, if I think my dog ate insulation tape, I would be wary of these other possibilities too. That would necessitate knowledge of dog ate insulation symptoms.

An understanding of those would be helpful in figuring out a way forward, if you have the my dog ate insulation what do I do question.

If there is choking, the key symptom is gagging, and some bit of desperate coughing.

But if there is internal obstruction, the symptoms may include lethargy, loss of appetite with vomiting and sometimes diarrhea as well.

So the tape may just come out of the other end, as poop. But the tape may also cause choking or internal obstructions.

If the dog ate clear tape, those would be the key possibilities. Even if the dog ate tape of the non-clear type, those would still be the possibilities.

My Dog Ate A Roll Of Tape – What Should I Do?

If the dog ate tape just a little while ago, and seems to be choking, you need to try to get the tape out.

In case the tape is too far down, rush the dog to the (nearest) vet.

That surely, would still be the right approach even if, say, baby ate duct tape. Of course, in the latter case, one would be rushing the baby to the doc, not the vet.

If the dog ate the tape a long while ago, and there doesn’t seem to be choking, just observe it keenly and make a point of inspecting its poop. Consider giving the dog a fiber rich diet, including pumpkin puree and white rice.

In case the tape comes out as poop (whole or bits), and the dog has no worrisome symptoms, rest easy.

But in case the tape doesn’t come out as poop, and the dog has symptoms like lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea and loss of appetite, take it to the vet. There may be internal obstruction.

Here, it doesn’t matter whether the dog ate clear tape or the dog ate tape of whatever other variety. This is the right approach.

Thus if you had the my dog ate some plumbing tape, what should I do question, that answers it.

Or if you had the what to do if dog ate tape question at a general level, this is the answer to it.

Final Verdict – My Dog Ate A Roll Of Tape

If your dog ate a roll of tape, it may just go through the digestive system and emerge as poop.

Unfortunately, there are cases where eating tape can cause dogs to choke. Or if they swallow the tape without choking, they can end up with internal obstructions after eating the tape.

If the tape causes choking, symptoms will include gagging and desperate coughing.

And if the tape causes internal obstructions, symptoms will include loss of appetite, lots of lethargy, vomiting and perhaps diarrhea.

If a dog eats tape, and seems to be choking, try to get it out. In case it is too far down, rush the dog to the nearest vet as fast as possible.

If a dog eats tape, and swallows it without choking, observe it keenly and be inspecting its poop.

In case the tape doesn’t come out as poop in a couple of days, and the dog has symptoms such as vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite and perhaps diarrhea, rush the dog to the vet.

As a pet lover, make sure to learn about pet more and give your pet dog a good and comfortable life!

Rajkumar Ravichandran

Welcome to Learn About Pet. My name is Rajkumar Ravichandran and I love all pets, travel, and amazing food. I write about my passion and personal experience caring for multiple pets in this blog! ❤️