My dog ate tinsel, ribbon, string & floss — what should I do?
🚨 RED — Go to an emergency vet NOW
Linear foreign bodies bunch the intestines and can cut through them.
What to do now
- Call an emergency vet or animal poison control right now, even if your dog seems fine — signs can be delayed.
- Head to the nearest emergency vet; call ahead on the way.
- Remove any remaining material and keep packaging/labels — the vet will want product names and amounts.
- Do not induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control expert tells you to.
- Note the time it was eaten, roughly how much, and your dog's weight.
Why it's a problem
Linear foreign bodies bunch the intestines and can cut through them.
Symptoms to watch for
Vomiting, not eating, belly pain.
When: Hours to days
⚠️ If string is visible from mouth or rear, do NOT pull it.
Frequently asked questions
Is tinsel, ribbon, string & floss dangerous for dogs?
Yes. Linear foreign bodies bunch the intestines and can cut through them. Treat it as an emergency and contact an emergency vet or animal poison control immediately.
What are the symptoms if my dog ate tinsel, ribbon, string & floss?
Vomiting, not eating, belly pain.
How soon do symptoms appear after a dog eats tinsel, ribbon, string & floss?
Hours to days
Is there anything else to know about tinsel, ribbon, string & floss?
If string is visible from mouth or rear, do NOT pull it.
What should I do if my dog ate tinsel, ribbon, string & floss?
Call an emergency vet or animal poison control right now, even if your dog seems fine — signs can be delayed. Head to the nearest emergency vet; call ahead on the way.
Who can I call for help?
ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661, both 24/7 (fees may apply), or your nearest emergency vet.
Dose guidance
No reliable dog-specific threshold is published for home use, so any amount should be discussed with your vet or a poison hotline.
Sources
- Pet Poison Helpline: tinsel
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Ingestion of Foreign Bodies in Dogs
- ACVS: Gastrointestinal Foreign Bodies
Last verified against these sources: 2026-10-13. Where sources disagree, PawPanic uses the more conservative guidance.
Also known as: ribbon, string, yarn, dental floss, thread · Category: Object · Last reviewed 2026-10-14