Dogs can be very good at finding things we’d rather they left alone. Things containing batteries, like the TV remote control or a child’s toy, might attract an inquisitive nose. But what happens if your dog decides to have a chew on a battery?
Batteries can be dangerous to dogs. They can cause chemical burns, damage internal tissues or become stuck in the digestive tract. If you think your dog has chewed or swallowed a battery, contact your vet immediately, even if they seem perfectly well. Don’t try to make them sick.
It’s something none of us wants to happen but knowing what to do can help you act quickly.
Why are batteries dangerous?
When we think about poisoning, we might picture a substance being absorbed into the bloodstream and making an animal unwell. With batteries, much of the concern is about the damage they can cause where they come into contact with the body.
Ordinary household batteries, including many AA and AAA batteries, contain corrosive chemicals. If a dog bites through the outer casing, these can leak onto the lips, tongue and gums. They can also damage the oesophagus, the tube carrying food from the mouth to the stomach, if swallowed.
Another risk is that a whole battery, or pieces of one, can become lodged in the digestive tract and cause a blockage. This means finding that a battery has been swallowed without being chewed doesn’t mean that your dog is safe.
Some batteries also contain metals that can cause poisoning in certain circumstances. However, chemical burns and the effects of a swallowed object are usually the more immediate concerns. Your vet will consider the type of battery and what has happened when deciding on the next steps.
Are small batteries safer?
Whatever the size or type, a battery is something to take seriously if your dog has chewed or swallowed it.
You might expect a small battery to be less of a worry than a large one. Unfortunately, button or coin batteries can be particularly dangerous. These small, round batteries are found in items such as watches, key fobs and some children’s toys.
A button battery can cause damage even when its casing is intact. If it becomes lodged in the oesophagus, an electrical current can pass through the surrounding moist tissue and cause severe injury. Lithium button batteries can cause damage very quickly, making prompt veterinary attention particularly important.
Rechargeable batteries also need to be kept out of reach. Damaged lithium-ion batteries can overheat or catch fire, creating another risk of burns.
What should I do if my dog has chewed a battery?
First, move your dog away from the damaged item and stop other pets or children from accessing it. Avoid putting your fingers into your dog’s mouth or trying to reach down their throat. A frightened dog, or one with a painful mouth, may bite.
Call your vet straight away and explain that a battery may be involved. If your dog is struggling to breathe or has collapsed, they need emergency veterinary care immediately. If your usual practice is closed, contact their emergency service. It is best though, not to wait until the morning or wait for symptoms to appear before contacting your vet.
It’s useful to tell the vet roughly when it happened, your dog’s weight, the type of battery and how many could be missing. If you don’t know, say so. A photograph of the device or battery packaging may help. Take the packaging with you if it is readily available, but don’t delay getting help while you search for it.
Don’t make your dog vomit. Bringing up a damaged battery can expose the throat and mouth to corrosive material again. Don’t give home remedies or try to neutralise battery chemicals with another substance. Ask the vet whether any immediate mouth rinsing is appropriate and follow their instructions. Don’t force water into your dog’s mouth.
What signs might I notice?
A dog with irritation or burns in the mouth might drool, paw at their face or seem reluctant to eat. You may notice redness, swelling or dark material around the mouth after a battery has been punctured. Other possible signs include vomiting, difficulty swallowing, a painful tummy or being unusually quiet.
But what if your dog is still wagging their tail and asking for their dinner? It’s reassuring to see them behaving normally, but this cannot tell you whether damage has occurred. Burns may take time to become apparent, and an injury further down the oesophagus won’t necessarily be visible in the mouth.
Sometimes the first clue is simply a chewed device and a missing battery. You don’t need to have seen your dog swallow it to ask for help. Tell your vet what you have found so they can assess the risk.
How will my vet treat my dog?
Treatment will depend on the battery, whether it has been damaged or swallowed, and how your dog is feeling. Your vet will examine your dog and may recommend x-rays to help locate a swallowed battery or fragments.
Some batteries need to be removed urgently. Depending on their condition and location, this may involve an endoscope (a flexible camera) or surgery. In selected cases, a vet may recommend monitoring an intact battery as it passes through the gut, with further checks or x-rays. This is a veterinary decision, rather than something to try at home by waiting to see what appears in your dog’s poo.
Dogs with burns may need a hospital stay so they can receive pain relief, fluids and support with feeding while the damage heals. Your vet will explain any follow-up care and what to watch for after your dog comes home.
Keeping batteries out of reach
It’s easy to remember the packet of batteries in a drawer and overlook all the devices around the house that contain them. Take a moment to look around from your dog’s level. Is the remote within reach of their bed? Are children’s toys left on the floor? Could a hearing aid or electronic device be taken from a bedside table? Have you bought spare batteries in the weekly shop and not got round to putting them away yet?
Keep spare and used batteries in a secure container inside a cupboard your dog cannot access. Put used batteries away promptly while they are waiting to be recycled. A battery that no longer powers a device still needs to be treated as a hazard.
Store any battery-powered items out of reach of your dog. Make sure that the battery compartments close properly and that any securing screws are in place. If a cover becomes loose or breaks, put the item somewhere inaccessible until it has been repaired. When changing batteries, keep your dog away and check that none have rolled under furniture.
Children can help by putting battery-operated toys away after use and telling an adult if a toy breaks. It’s also sensible to let visitors know where they can safely leave bags and electronic devices, particularly if your dog likes to investigate new belongings.
Providing suitable toys and opportunities to chew can help you meet your dog’s need to investigate objects with their mouth, but keeping hazardous objects out of reach remains essential.
With a few changes, we can make our homes safer. If a battery does go missing after your dog has been exploring, a prompt call to the vet is the best next step.
Links to further information:
- Animal PoisonLine — Batteries
Batteries » Animal PoisonLine
- VetsNow – Battery Risks for Dogs
My Dog Ate a Battery: Symptoms, Dangers & What to Do If Your Dog Swallows a Battery
- Vet Help Direct blog articles
Are dogs pre-programmed to chew? – Vet Help Direct
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