What Are the Symptoms of a Dog That Ate a Tampon?

Dogs are notorious for eating things they shouldn’t—and unfortunately, tampons are a common and potentially dangerous foreign object, especially for small dogs. If your dog has swallowed a tampon, even partially, it’s important to understand the risks, recognize warning signs early, and know when to seek veterinary care.

Our Question This Week

Dear Dr. Debra,

My dog is a Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkie) that ate a tampon about a day ago. I don’t think he ate it whole, but since then he’s been acting lethargic and has started shivering. Could this mean the tampon isn’t passing through his digestive system?

— Grace Pester

Why Tampons Are Dangerous for Dogs

Hi Grace—thank you for your question. Unfortunately, a dog eating a tampon can be a serious medical issue, particularly in small breeds like Yorkshire Terriers.

Tampons pose a unique risk because they are designed to absorb liquid and expand. Once swallowed, a tampon can soak up saliva, stomach fluids, and intestinal contents, causing it to swell significantly inside the digestive tract. This expansion increases the likelihood that it will become stuck in the stomach or intestines, leading to a gastrointestinal obstruction.

Even if your dog did not swallow the tampon whole, pieces of it—especially the cotton material or applicator fragments—can still clump together and cause blockage.

Can a Dog Pass a Tampon Naturally?

In some large dogs, a tampon may pass through the digestive tract without causing problems. However, small dogs are much less likely to pass a tampon safely due to their narrower intestines.

Yorkies and other toy breeds are at especially high risk. In many cases, dogs that swallow tampons require endoscopic removal or surgery, particularly if the tampon becomes lodged in the stomach or small intestine.

Waiting to “see if it passes” can be dangerous, because the longer a blockage remains, the greater the risk of complications, including intestinal damage or rupture.

Symptoms of a Dog That Ate a Tampon

The symptoms you’re describing—lethargy and shivering—are concerning and could indicate pain or early obstruction. Signs may appear within hours or may take a day or more to develop, depending on where the tampon is located.

Common Symptoms to Watch For

If a dog has eaten a tampon, potential warning signs include:

• Vomiting, especially repeated or persistent vomiting
• Loss of appetite or reluctance to eat
• Lethargy or weakness
• Diarrhea or changes in stool
• Abdominal pain, such as whining, hunching, or guarding the belly
• Shivering or trembling, which can be an early sign of pain
• Restlessness or difficulty getting comfortable
• Straining to defecate or inability to pass stool
• Swollen or firm abdomen

In more advanced cases, dogs may show signs of severe distress, dehydration, or shock.

What Does Shivering Mean in This Situation?

Shivering in dogs can occur for many reasons, including fear, cold, or illness. In the context of a swallowed foreign object, shivering is often associated with pain or abdominal discomfort.

Pain-related shivering may indicate that the tampon is causing irritation, partial obstruction, or pressure within the gastrointestinal tract. While shivering alone does not confirm a blockage, combined with lethargy, it raises concern and warrants immediate veterinary evaluation.

How Veterinarians Diagnose a Tampon Obstruction

If you take your dog to the veterinarian, they will likely start with a physical examination, focusing on abdominal tenderness, bloating, or signs of dehydration.

Diagnostic tools may include:

• X-rays, which can sometimes reveal a blockage or abnormal gas patterns
• Ultrasound, which is particularly helpful for detecting soft foreign objects like tampons
• Bloodwork, to assess hydration status, infection, or electrolyte imbalances

Tampons don’t always show up clearly on X-rays because they are soft and not radiopaque. This is why ultrasound or contrast imaging may be needed.

Treatment Options if a Dog Eats a Tampon

Treatment depends on where the tampon is located, how long it has been there, and whether your dog is showing symptoms.

Possible Treatment Approaches

• Inducing vomiting: Only appropriate if the tampon was eaten very recently and under veterinary supervision
• Endoscopic removal: A minimally invasive procedure where a scope is used to retrieve the tampon from the stomach
• Surgery: Required if the tampon has moved into the intestines or is causing a complete obstruction

Many dogs that swallow tampons—especially small dogs—ultimately require surgical removal. While surgery can sound alarming, early intervention significantly improves outcomes and recovery time.

What Happens If Treatment Is Delayed?

Delaying treatment can lead to serious complications, including:

• Complete intestinal obstruction
• Reduced blood flow to the intestines
• Tissue death (necrosis)
• Perforation or rupture of the intestines
• Life-threatening infection (sepsis)

These complications not only increase risk to your dog’s life but also make surgery more complex and recovery more difficult.

What You Should Do Right Now

Given that your dog is small, ate a tampon about 24 hours ago, and is now showing signs of lethargy and shivering, this situation should be treated as urgent.

I strongly recommend that you contact your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary clinic as soon as possible. Even if your dog seems “okay” at the moment, early evaluation can prevent a much more serious problem.

Do not attempt home remedies, induce vomiting on your own, or wait for symptoms to worsen.

How to Prevent Tampon Ingestion in Dogs

Unfortunately, dogs are often attracted to tampons because of their scent. Prevention is key.

Safety Tips

• Dispose of tampons in secure, lidded trash cans
• Keep bathroom doors closed if possible
• Use dog-proof trash bins in bathrooms
• Supervise dogs that tend to scavenge or chew inappropriate items

If your dog has a history of eating foreign objects, discuss behavioral strategies or training solutions with your veterinarian.

Final Thoughts

Tampons are one of the more dangerous household items a dog can ingest, especially for small breeds like Yorkshire Terriers. Symptoms such as vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and shivering should never be ignored after known or suspected tampon ingestion.

Early veterinary care can mean the difference between a straightforward procedure and a life-threatening emergency.

An article that may also be helpful is Gastrointestinal Foreign Body in Dogs.

Best of luck, Grace, and I hope your Yorkie feels better very soon.

Dr. Debra