If you’ve ever had a dog with a penchant for eating socks, you know just how frightening an episode like this can be. If this is your first time, you may be at a loss for what to do (spoiler alert: call your vet). And this includes when your dog eats a sock but is acting normal.
We’ve interviewed two veterinary experts to help guide pet parents through a sock-eating episode: Dr Sabrina Kong, DVM, a certified canine rehabilitation practitioner and vet expert at We Love Doodles, and Dr Iram Gladan, DVM, a veterinarian and breed content writer at Breed Atlas. Together, they provide excellent advice for pet parents caught in the throes of managing a dog who eats socks.
What To Do If Your Dog Ate a Sock
Both Dr Kong and Dr Gladan agree that if you know your dog has already swallowed a sock, you should contact your veterinarian for advice on what to do next. But it’s not always so clear-cut. Your dog may be acting normal, which may have you questioning if that warrants a vet visit. Your dog may also be a puppy, which can escalate a vet’s concerns. We’ll walk you through various scenarios so you’ll know what to do.
1. My dog ate a sock
Call your vet and follow their advice. On the call, your veterinarian will want to know a few facts to determine if you need to bring your dog into the clinic. That might include:
- Whether you’re sure your dog has already swallowed the sock
- Details about your dog’s size and breed and the size and material of the sock
- Whether your dog has eaten a sock before
- How your dog is acting now
Once they have all the details, they’ll likely advise you to monitor your dog closely.
What about getting your dog to regurgitate the item? Should you ever induce vomiting at home after your dog eats a sock? Dr Kong says that it’s not a good idea unless specifically directed by your veterinarian. The sock could become lodged in the throat while your dog vomits, causing them to choke or further complicating the situation.
2. My dog is choking on a sock
Act now. Help your dog while a family member calls the vet. It can be frightening if your dog is choking on a sock, but it’s important to stay calm and act quickly!
Try to open your dog’s mouth carefully to see if you can remove the sock with your fingers. As you do this, be careful not to push the sock further down your dog’s throat. If you can’t remove the sock from your dog’s mouth, try to do abdominal thrusts on your dog to dislodge the sock. According to our vet professionals, this is how you perform an abdominal thrust:
- Place your hands just below your dog’s ribcage and give a few sharp thrusts. If you have a small dog, hold him against your chest and apply the thrusts. If you have a large dog, stand behind him, place your hand below their ribcage, and perform the abdominal thrusts.
- Have a family member or friend call the vet if someone else is there. If not, call after you perform the steps above.
3. My dog is chewing on a sock
Do not chase your dog or puppy. Dogs chew on socks for a variety of reasons, but pet parents should avoid turning their sock habit into a game of ‘keep away’. Instead, negotiate an exchange for something better. Offer your dog a special treat or toy that is more interesting than the sock. (This is easier if you haven’t already made a big deal about getting the sock back.)
If your dog has a habit of chewing on socks, prioritise teaching your dog to follow a cue like ‘drop it‘ or ‘leave it‘—and try to keep your socks out of their reach.
4. My dog ate a sock but is acting normal
Keep a close eye on your dog. According to Dr Kong, dogs may act completely normal after a sock-eating incident, but that doesn’t mean that they are out of danger or that the sock won’t cause a blockage. Dr Gladan agrees, advising pet parents to remain vigilant and closely monitor their dogs even if they act fine.
A swallowed sock can block a dog’s intestinal tract, which may only show symptoms over time. While monitoring your dog, watch out for troubling signs like loss of appetite, vomiting, abdominal pain, or changes in bowel movements. If you notice any of these signs, call your vet for guidance.
5. My three-month-old puppy ate a sock
Call your vet immediately, and don’t try to remove the sock if it’s stuck. Since young three-month-old or four-month-old puppies have smaller digestive tracts, they can be at a higher risk of blockage when eating a sock. Dr Kong advises pet parents to immediately consult their vet, as they may have to bring their pup in for imaging.
Do not induce vomiting unless specifically instructed to by your vet. Dr Gladan also says to refrain from retrieving the sock if it’s stuck deep in your puppy’s throat, as this could cause damage or push it further down. If the sock can easily be taken from their mouth, then it’s okay to remove it.
Markus Frenzel via iStock
What To Expect at the Vet
According to Dr Kong, when you take your dog or puppy in for a post-sock-eating vet visit, your vet will likely perform a physical examination and may recommend X-rays or an ultrasound to locate the sock. Depending on your dog’s condition and the sock’s position, the vet may induce vomiting, use an endoscopy to remove the sock, or recommend surgery if there is a blockage.
How Long It Takes a Sock To Pass
If your vet recommends that you monitor the situation, the time it takes for a sock to pass can vary widely from a few hours to several days, according to Dr Gladan. This amount of time can depend on the size of the sock or the size of your dog. If the sock does not pass within 24 to 48 hours or your dog shows signs of distress, contact your vet to prevent serious complications.
Why Do Dogs Eat Socks?
There are many reasons why dogs eat socks, but as Dr Gladan notes, figuring out exactly why a dog is eating socks can be a million-dollar question. Dogs eat socks because of boredom, anxiety, or teething. It can also be related to a medical condition called pica, where dogs eat non-food items like paper, wood, or rocks. Dogs can also be drawn to socks because they like their parent’s smell (even their stinky foot smell). Or they might eat a sock out of sheer curiosity.
How To Prevent Habitual Sock Eating
If you have a serial sock offender, you may want to up your management game. Dr Gladan recommends taking concrete steps to ensure your dog cannot access socks and other off-limit items. Store them in closed drawers or in baskets with lids. Teaching your dog to ‘leave it‘ may also help your dog learn that socks are not toys.
Both vet experts say to give your dog plenty of appropriate chew toys to satisfy this natural urge. Dogs should also have enough mental and physical exercise to keep them enriched and fulfilled. As mentioned above, teaching your dog to ‘drop it’ or ‘leave it’ can also help if an errant sock or undergarment appears in your dog’s path.
If your dog’s sock-eating habits are anxiety-related, help create a soothing environment for them. Play calming music or a white noise machine if they struggle with noises outside. Try a pheromone collar or diffuser, and give them a safe space—like a crate, bed, or corner—they can retreat to when they’re scared. If your dog’s anxiety is affecting their quality of life, reach out to your vet or consult a vet behaviourist for help.
