Orbeez are superabsorbent polymer beads that expand to more than 100 times their original size when placed in water. Marketed as a children’s toy, their bright colors and squishy texture make them irresistible to kids and pets alike. But are Orbeez safe for dogs to eat? Here’s what you need to know.
What happens if a dog eats Orbeez – Are Orbeez Safe for Dogs?
While Orbeez beads themselves are non-toxic, ingesting them can be extremely dangerous for dogs. When a dog eats Orbeez, the beads begin expanding in the stomach due to moisture. As they swell up to the size of marbles or golf balls, they can cause a major intestinal blockage.
How Orbeez expand in a dog’s stomach
Orbeez are made of superabsorbent polyacrylate, a polymer that can soak up liquids hundreds of times its weight. When a dry Orbeez bead enters a dog’s moist stomach, it starts rapidly expanding as it absorbs gastric juices.
Within hours, the tiny bead grows to up to 100 times its original size. As Orbeez swell into large, gelatinous blobs, they can obstruct the intestinal tract. This prevents food and waste from passing through, causing vomiting, pain, bloating, and even death if not treated.
So while Orbeez don’t contain toxins, they act like a sponge in a dog’s stomach and their expansion can be extremely harmful.
Symptoms of an intestinal blockage
If your dog eats Orbeez, watch for the following symptoms of intestinal blockage:
- Repeated vomiting
- Lack of appetite
- Abdominal pain and bloating
- Constipation or inability to defecate
- Whining, restlessness, lethargy
- Straining to pass stool with no success
As the obstruction gets worse, dogs may go into shock. Without quick veterinary treatment, a complete blockage can be fatal within 48 hours. So if you have any inkling your pup gulped down Orbeez, seek help immediately.
Are Orbeez toxic to dogs? Are Orbeez Safe for Dogs?
The good news is Orbeez beads themselves contain no toxic chemicals or substances. However, while ingesting Orbeez is not technically poisonous, the results can be just as deadly for dogs and cats if left untreated.
So if your pet gets ahold of Orbeez, get help right away. The beads pose little risk if they pass through your dog’s system intact. But there’s no way to know if Orbeez will expand or obstruct your dog’s intestines once swallowed. Don’t take a wait-and-see approach, as permanent damage or death can occur within hours.
Can dogs eat Orbeez?
Absolutely not! Orbeez may resemble brightly-colored candies or treats to dogs, but they should be kept far out of paws’ reach.
Allowing your dog to intentionally eat Orbeez is extremely dangerous and poses a high risk of intestinal blockage. While Orbeez expand harmlessly in water, your dog’s stomach acid triggers even faster swelling.
So skipping this tempting treat is a must to avoid emergencies. Supervise anytime kids play with Orbeez around pets, and discard any that hit the floor. Consider gating off pets to keep these bite-sized hazards away.
In short: Orbeez should be considered toxic to dogs, in that they can expand rapidly and block the digestive tract. Keep them away from pets!
What to do if your dog eats Orbeez
If you catch your dog scarfing down Orbeez or see an open bag they’ve gotten into, quick action is critical:
- Induce vomiting if recent ingestion. If less than 2 hours have passed, call your vet or pet poison control to ask about giving hydrogen peroxide to make your dog vomit. This must be done ASAP to try removing Orbeez before significant expansion.
- Rush to emergency vet. Whether you induced vomiting or just discovered ingestion, hurry to the vet or emergency animal hospital. Tell them how long ago your dog ate Orbeez and approximate the amount. Your vet will check for intestinal blockage and may perform emergency endoscopy or surgery to remove Orbeez and unblock intestines.
- Monitor symptoms carefully. Gastrointestinal obstruction can take up to 4 days to fully manifest. So even if your dog seems normal at first, continue watching for signs like vomiting, lethargy, or constipation for several days. Call your vet promptly if symptoms appear so they can check for obstructions before it’s too late.
Getting veterinary help quickly is absolutely vital, as dying intestinal tissue and fatal dehydration can occur if an obstruction goes untreated. Don’t take a “wait-and-see” approach, as dogs can deteriorate rapidly. Be safe rather than sorry and get prompt veterinary care. Your dog’s life may depend on it!
Are Orbeez toxic to animals?
While Orbeez don’t contain inherent toxins, allowing any animal to ingest them poses a major health risk. Their superabsorbent properties make them hazardous obstructions whether dogs, cats, or other pets swallow them.
Several news reports document intestinal perforations and deaths in dogs, demonstrating why vets warn strongly against Orbeez exposure. So keep these tempting yet deceitfully dangerous beads completely away from all household pets.
Cats love to bat at and consume toy-like objects too. So felines face comparable risks of internal Orbeez swelling and blockages as canines. Don’t assume that because something is safe for kids, it’s automatically safe for pets too.
When it comes to super-expanding Orbeez, ingestion can be devastating. So keep kids’ play restricted to supervised times and surfaces. Clean up any stray beads promptly before pets can mistakenly munch. Their health and safety relies on your diligence.
Video – Are Orbeez Safe for Dogs?
Conclusion
Orbeez may seem like a harmless water toy. But allowing dogs and cats access poses big risks, as these bite-sized beads expand rapidly to hazardous sizes inside animal digestive tracts.
So keep Orbeez stored securely out of paws’ reach. Clean up stray beads after playtime. And call your vet promptly if you have any concerns your pet ingested them, even if you don’t observe immediate symptoms.
While non-toxic in and of themselves, unexpanded Orbeez can ultimately spell death for beloved pets if swallowed. So take all necessary precautions to keep these deceiving beads from your furry friends! Their digestive health depends heavily on your care and vigilance.