What Happens When a Dog Eats Something Different?

Dogs do not always eat exactly what we intend them to eat.

A new treat, an unfamiliar chew, food dropped from the table or something found on a walk can all introduce a sudden change into the digestive system.

Sometimes nothing noticeable happens.

At other times, even one unusual food can coincide with softer stools, more gas or a change in bowel habits.

This does not necessarily mean the food itself was “bad”.

It may simply have been different from what the digestive system and microbial community were used to receiving.

Several factors influence whether an unusual food causes a noticeable digestive change.

Amount eaten

A small taste is very different from a large quantity.

Fat content

Very rich foods can be quite different from a dog's usual diet.

Fibre and carbohydrate

Different foods provide different fermentable substrates to microbial communities.

Novel ingredients

A food the dog rarely encounters may create a sudden change in the digestive environment.

Speed of eating

Excited scavenging can also mean more swallowed air and less controlled feeding.

What else was eaten that day

A treat-heavy day can have a cumulative effect.

Individual sensitivity

Some dogs have remarkably robust digestion. Others produce obvious changes after quite modest dietary variation.

If your dog is otherwise bright and comfortable after eating something harmless but unusual, it can be useful simply to keep the rest of the diet consistent while you observe what happens.

Avoid adding several new foods or treats on top of the original change.

Fresh water should always be available.

It is also worth thinking beyond the main food bowl.

Chews, training treats, dental products, leftovers and scavenged food all contribute to what the digestive system has to process.

For dogs that regularly pick things up on walks, management and training can be more useful than trying to compensate afterwards with repeated dietary changes.

If you know or suspect that your dog has eaten something toxic, dangerous or indigestible, contact your vet promptly.