If your dog is struggling to breathe, collapsing, pawing at the mouth, stretching the head and neck, or making choking coughs or ineffective gagging, go to an emergency veterinarian now. If your dog is breathing normally, call your veterinarian promptly for case-specific advice; a swallowed chew can still cause a serious blockage even if your dog seems fine at first.
First, check whether your dog can breathe
Breathing difficulty, collapse, pawing at the mouth, an extended head and neck, or repeated attempts to cough or gag without an effective cough can indicate choking. Treat these signs as an emergency and head to an emergency veterinarian. Call the clinic while you are on your way if you can do so without delaying care.
Do not reach blindly into your dog’s mouth or make a blind finger sweep; this can push an object farther in or injure you or your dog. The RECOVER Guidelines for First Aid for Dogs and Cats (2026) describe prehospital first-aid techniques. Follow current veterinary guidance if first aid is needed while help is being reached.
If your dog is breathing normally, call a veterinarian
Contact your veterinarian promptly and explain how much of the pig ear was swallowed, when it happened, and your dog’s size and current condition. If your regular clinic is closed, call an emergency veterinary clinic for instructions. A chew that has been swallowed may cause a gastrointestinal foreign-body obstruction, which can become serious. Looking normal immediately afterward does not rule out a later problem.
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Do not induce vomiting, give bread or oil, or try another home remedy unless a veterinarian or animal poison control center specifically advises it. The 2026 RECOVER guideline says that emesis outside a clinic should be done only on the advice of a veterinarian or animal poison control center.
Watch for signs of a possible blockage
While you are following the veterinarian’s instructions, watch for:
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- Mindful mealtime – encourages slower eating and longer engagement, helping pups enjoy every bite while making mealtime more fun and interactive
- Multiple sizes, maze patterns, and 3 SLOW levels to choose from – Slow, Slower, or Slowest – to slow your dog down as much as needed; pick the perfect size and design for your unique pet
- Non-slip, food-safe, and easy to clean – our puzzle feeders are top-rack dishwasher-safe and made without BPAs, PVCs, lead, or phthalates
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Lethargy
Contact a veterinarian urgently if any of these signs develop. Their absence does not prove that there is no obstruction, so do not use a symptom-free period to decide on your own that the dog is safe.
What the veterinarian may do
The veterinarian will consider when and how much your dog swallowed, any symptoms, and the findings on examination. Depending on the case, assessment may include abdominal X-rays or ultrasound. The veterinarian may recommend monitoring, additional testing, endoscopy, or surgery; the appropriate next step depends on the dog’s condition and what the assessment shows. Cornell’s overview of gastrointestinal foreign-body obstruction in dogs describes these evaluation and treatment options.
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Prevent another rushed swallow
Supervise your dog with chews and remove one once it becomes small enough to be swallowed or to create a choking or intestinal-obstruction risk. Texas A&M’s guidance on choosing dog chew toys also notes that pig ears can carry Salmonella, which can be dangerous to dogs and people handling the chew. Wash your hands after handling chews, and ask your veterinarian about safer choices for your dog.
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- Large slow feeder dog bowl – helps slow down eating up to 10X; this SLOW level feeder is best for fast eaters and medium to large dog breeds
- Holds 4 cups of dry or wet dog food – this very deep dog bowl has our most challenging puzzle feeder maze design and can fit a full meal for large-sized dogs
- Mindful mealtime – encourages slower eating and longer engagement, helping pups enjoy every bite while making mealtime more fun and interactive
- Multiple sizes, maze patterns, and 3 SLOW levels to choose from – Slow, Slower, or Slowest – to slow your dog down as much as needed; pick the perfect size and design for your unique pet
- Non-slip, food-safe, and easy to clean – our puzzle feeders are top-rack dishwasher-safe and made without BPAs, PVCs, lead, or phthalates
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