Help! My Dog Ingested Glass! (Vet Answered)
This question has been answered by a vet
Veterinarian & Animal Behaviorist
With nearly two decades in veterinary medicine, Dr. Paola brings hands-on experience across multiple species. A graduate of the University of Guadalajara, she specializes in preventive care, animal welfare, and positive reinforcement training.
The Question
“Hi Dr. Paola,
Hazel threw up in the night, which consisted of little shards of a Corningware glass that had cranberry sauce in it that broke. I immediately cleaned it up with paper towels, but the little scavenger she is got into the trash. Can I give her Pepto Bisol or something to help her? There is no blood.” – Suzie
Quick Info about Hazel
Hi Suzie, I’m so sorry Hazel got into the trash and ingested glass. Even though she isn’t showing any immediate concerning signs like blood in the vomit, this is still a situation that requires veterinary attention. Ingesting glass can cause internal cuts or irritation in her mouth, esophagus, stomach, or intestines, even if she seems fine right now. The biggest concern is that small shards could cause internal damage as they move through her digestive system.
Pepto-Bismol is not recommended in this case, as it won’t protect against any potential internal injury and could mask signs that a veterinarian needs to assess. Instead, it’s best to contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. They may recommend an exam, X-rays, or feeding a bulk-forming diet (such as plain canned pumpkin or soft bread) to help cushion any remaining fragments. Keep a close eye on Hazel for signs of discomfort, vomiting, lack of appetite, or difficulty defecating, and avoid giving any over-the-counter medications unless advised by a vet. Since this could be an urgent situation, an online teletriage veterinary service like our own service, PangoVet.com may be helpful to assess her risk level if you can’t get to a clinic immediately.
All the best,
Dr. Paola