Readers Share the Strangest Items Their Dogs Have Consumed
In response to a recent article on the weirdest things pets have eaten, Guardian readers have come forward with their own tales of canine culinary curiosities. From nipple cream to marbles, these stories reveal the unusual appetites of man's best friend.
A Marble-ous Discovery
Martin Jeeves from Cardiff recalls a story from the 1960s involving friends in Hampshire. Their dog became slow and unwell, prompting a visit to the vet. An operation revealed that the dog had swallowed over 100 marbles, accumulated out of jealousy for a new kitten that was receiving all the attention.
Nipple Cream and Underwear
Sarah McKeown, owner of a dog named Bertha in London, shares a list of peculiar items her dog has eaten. These include a tube of nipple cream bought before giving birth, underwear extracted from a lidded laundry basket (later expelled during an evening walk), a brand new mouth guard, and a rock. The mouth guard incident led to the classic excuse, 'my dog ate it.'
Plumber's Tape Incident
Julia Cartlidge from Portishead, Somerset, describes an incident with her lurcher, Rodney. As a puppy, Rodney ate some plumber's tape left by her son. Julia found tape hanging from his mouth upon arriving home and pulled it out easily, but not all of it. The next morning, during a walk, Rodney needed assistance to expel the remaining tape. Julia humorously recounts standing on the pavement pulling yards of plumber's tape from her dog's bottom, noting that no vet was needed and it provided a good laugh.
Expensive Tastes
Tom Seymour from Cardiff shares the costly consequences of his border collie's appetite. The dog ate a rubber bath duck and a Red Nose Day red nose, requiring surgical removal at a cost of £1,400.
