Battery Ingestion
Batteries are everywhere in our homes—inside remotes, toys, key fobs, flashlights, and hearing aids. Unfortunately, if a dog chews or swallows a battery, it can quickly become a medical emergency.
When a battery is punctured or swallowed, the alkaline or acidic material inside can leak out, causing severe corrosive injury to the mouth, throat, esophagus, or stomach.
The most common types of batteries dogs ingest include:
Alkaline dry cell batteries (9-volt, D, C, AA, AAA)
Button/disc batteries (commonly in toys, remotes, watches, and hearing aids)
Lithium batteries, which are particularly destructive due to their corrosive properties and electrical current
Damage may happen within minutes to hours, especially with button or lithium batteries.
Signs to Watch For
Drooling, pawing at the face, or signs of oral pain
Redness, burns, or ulcers in the mouth (these may not appear until hours later)
Vomiting, lack of appetite, or abdominal discomfort
Lethargy or reluctance to eat
Black/tarry stools (melena) if internal bleeding develops
Sometimes no signs are obvious at first—making ingestion especially dangerous if unnoticed.
What to Do at Home
Do not induce vomiting. Bringing a battery back up increases the risk of corrosive burns in the esophagus.
Rinse the mouth gently with tepid water for 15–20 minutes if you notice battery residue. Do not scrub.
Contact Animal Poison control right away for further guidance
ASPCA Poison Control: 888-426-4435
Seek veterinary care immediately. Poison control will guide you as to the importance of seeking care. Likely, if ingestion is confirmed— care will be recommended.
Note: Your dog may not display signs at first. This does not mean there isn’t damage.
If veterinary care may be delayed, feeding a bulking diet (such as plain wheat bread) may help dilute leaked battery contents and minimize direct contact with the stomach lining. This is not a substitute for care—just a temporary step until your dog can be seen by a veterinarian.
What to Expect at the Veterinary Hospital
A full oral exam and X-rays to determine whether a battery is present and intact
If battery is found intact, removal may be attempted—sometimes via endoscopy, but in cases where the casing is compromised, surgery may be safer to avoid spreading alkaline material onto the esophagus
Medications such as sucralfate to coat and protect the stomach and intestines
Monitoring for ulcers, pain, or signs of internal bleeding
Veterinarians may also recommend watching closely at home for appetite, energy, and stool changes after treatment.
Final Thought
Battery ingestion can be a very dangerous situation. If you suspect your dog has chewed or swallowed a battery, rinse the mouth, call ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435), and head to the vet immediately.
Gal Chivvis, DVM
