Dogs and Household Batteries

Mary Malucci
Dec 21, 2024
4 min read

Updated: Dec 24, 2024

In our 21st century homes, batteries are used to power nearly all of our “wireless” devices. Batteries used properly don’t pose a threat to the average user. Where they become most dangerous is when they are ingested by small children or dogs.

Two types of batteries are most commonly used in our homes. If swallowed whole and undamaged, batteries are less likely to cause injury unless they get stuck in the GI tract somewhere. If the battery gets chewed up or stuck in the esophagus, stomach or intestines, it can cause chemical or electrical burns that may create holes or ulcers.

Alkaline Dry Cell batteries are the cylindrical ones used to power small devices like TV remotes, childrens’ toys, flashlights and other small household items. These batteries use corrosive materials like sodium or potassium hydroxide to generate current. If a dog punctures the battery and these corrosive chemicals contact skin or mucous membranes, they cause deep ulcers that may continue to worsen over several hours. This process is called liquefaction necrosis. The metal casings of these batteries contain heavy metals like lead, zinc, mercury, cadmium and cobalt. If the battery gets lodged in the stomach long enough for the stomach acids to start dissolving the casing, you may see signs of heavy metal poisoning. Some cylindrical batteries are lithium powered and will cause severe burns if punctured.

Most Lithium batteries are the disc batteries we use to power watches, cameras and hearing aids. Lithium disc batteries are considered non-corrosive. However, when they remain in contact with moist mucous membranes, say if it got stuck in the esophagus, they transmit electrical current to these sensitive tissues, killing the tissue cells and creating ulcers or holes that may perforate all the way through. This damage occurs very quickly and can be life threatening within 15 minutes.

If you believe your dog has swallowed a battery, DO NOT TRY TO MAKE HIM OR HER VOMIT! There are three main reasons for this.

As I mentioned before, punctured batteries leak corrosive chemicals that cause burns. Inducing vomiting doubles the esophageal exposure risk to these caustic materials, increasing the severity of the burns.
Inducing vomiting always carries a risk of vomitus getting into the respiratory tract, causing aspiration pneumonia. If any of the battery’s corrosive chemicals come into contact with the respiratory tract, the resulting aspiration pneumonia can be fatal.
Hydrogen Peroxide is the induction agent usually recommended to clients. H2O2 is directly irritating to the lining of the stomach, which may already be compromised by the battery, thus increasing the chances of GI bleeding and perforation.

Early symptoms of battery ingestion may be seen in the dog’s mouth as rapidly appearing ulcers in the mouth or on the tongue. These pets may be drooling, having difficulty swallowing or refusing to eat. If the battery was chewed up you may see a grayish black material in the mouth. The dog may also be coughing, gagging or retching. The only thing you can do at home is carefully rinse the mouth with warm water and immediately seek veterinary care. Your veterinarian may recommend you call one of the Poison Control services. This is beneficial because the service will give you a case number, which we can call as often as we need for treatment advice.

As long as the battery components remain in the GI tract, they will continue to damage tissue, leading to more severe GI signs like vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. If the vomitus looks like coffee grounds, that indicates bleeding into the stomach, most likely secondary to an ulcer. If the battery components get all the way to the intestines, the dog may develop bloody diarrhea. Dogs often show abdominal pain by hunching up in the middle, sometimes looking like they are walking on tiptoes.

Your veterinarian will begin their exam by looking for signs of chemical burns in the mouth. If you have a case number from one of the Poison Control services, we will call them for specific treatment recommendations. The next step will be radiographs. The metals in batteries show up well on radiographs and we will see where the battery is in the GI tract. That will help us determine the best course of treatment. Some dogs may require surgery to remove the battery.

The symptoms of battery ingestion do not always appear right away. If you suspect your dog may have chewed or eaten a battery, seek veterinary care immediately. The possibility of ongoing damage by the presence of the battery requires medical intervention as soon as possible. Once the symptoms start to appear, damage has already been done. If the damage gets severe enough, it can be life threatening.

Treatment plans are supportive and symptomatic. Medications to protect the GI tract, antibiotics, pain meds and bland diet are recommended to support the gut while it heals. Pets requiring surgery will need to spend at least 24 hours in the hospital afterwards. Owners will be advised to monitor for signs of heavy metal poisoning, which may not show up for days.

As is the case with all non-food items that may potentially be eaten by an overly curious dog, the best treatment is prevention. Do your best to keep such things out of your dog’s reach. If your dog does chew up something with a battery in it, call either ASPCA Poison Control at 888-426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661. Both services ask you to pay a fee up front. Once they start a case on your pet, the veterinarian can call back with the case number as often as necessary for treatment recommendations.