In most dried food items, medications and even shoeboxes there is a little packet placed there by the manufacturer to maintain freshness. The purpose of these little packets is to either reduce moisture in the packaging or to absorb oxygen. Chewing up these little forgotten items is a ‘common pastime’ for canines. Fortunately, most are harmless and require minimal or no veterinary care. However, one is a potential problem.
Q: What is it? A: Silica is a hard porous gel that is made synthetically and utilized because of its high affinity for water. It is placed in products to control the humidity and prevent degradation. Silica gel packets are usually 1 x 2 inches and contain multiple small white, clear or opaque beads inside.
Q: Why is it labeled “do not eat”? A: Silica gel is not intended for consumption and therefor receives the label “do not eat”. The dust from the processing and creation of silica is irritating to the skin, respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract. In people who are chronically exposed to/inhaling silica, such as a employee in a mine or factory, a progressive debilitating disease called silicosis can develop. Fortunately, silica dust is rarely encountered by our furry friends. Some silica products are mixed with a moisture indicator, these indicators may be toxic in large doses. If a dye is present, the silica gel will no longer be a clear to white but instead bright orange, blue, pink or green.
Q: Is it a threat to dogs? A: No true toxicity risk exists from exposure to silica gel packets. The beads do not enlarge in the stomach and the exterior packaging is usually soft and presents little risk of injury of obstruction.
Q: What is it? A: A specific type of prepared charcoal (similar to activated charcoal used in veterinary hospitals) is found in white plastic cylinders inside bags of prepared foodstuffs like dog treats, chews and jerky. If broken open the small black granules are visible. These granules are not magnetic (as compared to iron).
Q: Why is it labeled “do not eat”? A: The charcoal is not intended to be consumed and therefor labeled “do not eat”.
Q: Is it a threat to dogs? A: The cylinder can cause a foreign body obstruction in small dogs and can damage the oral cavity when chewed. However, no true toxicity risk exists from the charcoal or external canister. In case you were hoping to save some money by saving the charcoal in these canisters for use in the clinic, think again. You’d need to administer the contents of thousands of canisters before achieving any therapeutic benefit! Best to stick with good old activated charcoal.
Q: What is it? A: Elemental iron granules are placed in small packets called oxygen absorbers are added to bags of pre-prepared or dehydrated food stuffs to absorb excess oxygen. This prevents oxidization (rancidity) of the food and preserves freshness 1. Oxygen absorber packets are typically about 1×1” in size and are often found in packages of beef jerky, pepperoni, dried fruits, dog jerky treats, etc. If the oxygen absorber is broken open, dark brown to rust colored material is visible. This material is magnetic which allows for quick differentiation between packets containing iron and those containing silica gel or charcoal.
Q: Why is it labeled “do not eat”? A: Elemental iron can cause severe poisoning, even in the small amounts contained in one oxygen absorber packet.2 It is very irritating to the GI tract and has direct corrosive effects. After ingestion, vomiting (with or without blood) is one of the first signs of poisoning. In fact, vomiting is such a common finding that if a dog does not vomit, it’s probable that a toxic dose was not ingested. If the dose is large enough to cause poisoning, severe metabolic acidosis, shock and hepatic toxicity can develop 1 -5 days after the exposure. At Pet Poison Helpline®, the most severe cases of iron poisoning from oxygen absorbers have occurred in small dogs (<15 pounds). Unless a large dog ingested several oxygen absorbers or ingested unusually large ones, poisoning is much less likely.
Most owners will call to report that their dog ingested the packet inside of a container. First ask how much was ingested and if there is any left. If there is, see if the packet is labeled, what color the contents are and if the contents can be picked up with a magnet. If it was ingested whole the owner should be asked if there is another package in the home so a duplicate of the product can be evaluated.
If the product is labeled “silica” or if the contents of the package are white/clear beads, the owner can monitor at home and no treatments are needed. If the contents are dark in color the owner should place a magnet over the black powder, if it isn’t magnetic, the product is likely non-toxic charcoal and, again, the owner can monitor at home. If the owner does not have a magnet, the powder is magnetic or the product was swallowed whole, it should be assumed that iron may have been ingested and further action is needed. If the dog weighs less than 15 pounds, the risk for poisoning is increased compared to large dogs. If at-home decontamination is appropriate, the pet owner may induce vomiting with hydrogen peroxide and then give 1-3 teaspoons of aluminum or magnesium hydroxide (Alternagel or Milk of Magnesia) to reduce the systemic absorption of iron. Alternatively, a quick call to Pet Poison Helpline® can readily help determine the pet’s risk and need for decontamination. Following emesis, the pet owner should attempt to identify the contents of the packet or bring the pet and the remaining product, the emesis, or a duplicate of the product, if available, to the clinic.
The first goal is to determine if the ingested material contains iron. If a duplicate is available there are two characteristics of iron that can help – it is magnetic and it will appear on a radiograph as a metal density. If the entire product was ingested consider taking a radiograph to look for metal dense object in the stomach. Exposure can also be confirmed with a serum iron level taken 4-6 hours post ingestion. This lab test can often be run quickly and inexpensively at a local human hospital.
The packaging of the absorber usually consists of paper and polyethylene. Oxygen scavengers are completely safe to use, are not edible (choking hazard) and non-toxic. No harmful gases are released during oxygen absorption.
Q: What is it? A: Elemental iron granules are placed in small packets called oxygen absorbers are added to bags of pre-prepared or dehydrated food stuffs to absorb excess oxygen. This prevents oxidization (rancidity) of the food and preserves freshness 1. Oxygen absorber packets are typically about 1×1” in size and are often found in packages of beef jerky, pepperoni, dried fruits, dog jerky treats, etc. If the oxygen absorber is broken open, dark brown to rust colored material is visible. This material is magnetic which allows for quick differentiation between packets containing iron and those containing silica gel or charcoal.
Q: Why is it labeled “do not eat”? A: The charcoal is not intended to be consumed and therefor labeled “do not eat”.
Q: Why is it labeled “do not eat”? A: Silica gel is not intended for consumption and therefor receives the label “do not eat”. The dust from the processing and creation of silica is irritating to the skin, respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract. In people who are chronically exposed to/inhaling silica, such as a employee in a mine or factory, a progressive debilitating disease called silicosis can develop. Fortunately, silica dust is rarely encountered by our furry friends. Some silica products are mixed with a moisture indicator, these indicators may be toxic in large doses. If a dye is present, the silica gel will no longer be a clear to white but instead bright orange, blue, pink or green.
If the product is labeled “silica” or if the contents of the package are white/clear beads, the owner can monitor at home and no treatments are needed. If the contents are dark in color the owner should place a magnet over the black powder, if it isn’t magnetic, the product is likely non-toxic charcoal and, again, the owner can monitor at home. If the owner does not have a magnet, the powder is magnetic or the product was swallowed whole, it should be assumed that iron may have been ingested and further action is needed. If the dog weighs less than 15 pounds, the risk for poisoning is increased compared to large dogs. If at-home decontamination is appropriate, the pet owner may induce vomiting with hydrogen peroxide and then give 1-3 teaspoons of aluminum or magnesium hydroxide (Alternagel or Milk of Magnesia) to reduce the systemic absorption of iron. Alternatively, a quick call to Pet Poison Helpline® can readily help determine the pet’s risk and need for decontamination. Following emesis, the pet owner should attempt to identify the contents of the packet or bring the pet and the remaining product, the emesis, or a duplicate of the product, if available, to the clinic.
Q: What is it? A: A specific type of prepared charcoal (similar to activated charcoal used in veterinary hospitals) is found in white plastic cylinders inside bags of prepared foodstuffs like dog treats, chews and jerky. If broken open the small black granules are visible. These granules are not magnetic (as compared to iron).
Did you know that oxygen absorber sachets can be dangerous to your pets? These sachets are typically used to preserve dried food items and may contain varying amounts of iron powder. As oxygen absorber sachets are often found in pet treat bags, calls to the Helpline regarding ingestion of these sachets are not uncommon. When ingested, typically by dogs, iron poisoning may ensue. Whilst serious poisoning is rare, the risk depends on the size of your pet, the quantity ingested and the amount of elemental iron in the mix. Early signs of poisoning can include vomiting which may contain blood, salivation, lack of interest in food and abdominal pain. Poisoned animals may appear to improve, but then develop progressive multi-organ failure which can be life-threatening.
Please ensure you keep pet treat packets well out of reach of your pet and if your dog or cat has eaten any amount of an oxygen absorber sachet, please phone the Animal Poisons Helpline on 1300 869 738 (AU) or 0800 869 738 (NZ) for advice. We can assess your pet’s exposure to determine if they will be at risk of poisoning and if they require urgent veterinary assessment. For pet poison updates direct to your email box, sign up to our mailing list here.
Oxygen Absorber: Do not Eat Oxygen Absorber | What Happens if you eat Oxygen Absorber?
FAQ
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