At the ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center, calls are fielded from all over the United States and Canada regarding foreign-object ingestions, including coins. Here are some facts for you to deposit in your knowledge bank.
U.S. quarters, dimes and nickels are made of copper and nickel. Canadian quarters, dimes and nickels minted after 1945 are not made with zinc. The Canadian Loonie coins ($1) and Toonie coins ($2) are also zinc free.
Canadian coins are made of varying combinations of steel, nickel, copper, silver, bronze and aluminum. Ingestions of these coins will cause mild GI upset, mechanical irritation and potentially FBO but heavy metal toxicity is not expected.
However, U.S. pennies minted from 1982 to the present and Canadian pennies minted from 1997 to 1999 are 97% to 99% zinc. Although the toxic dose has yet to be established, ingestion of even a single penny poses a risk for zinc poisoning.
The stomach’s acidic environment erodes through the copper plating and then begins to dissolve the zinc core, so zinc is readily absorbed systemically. Clinical signs of zinc toxicosis include vomiting, anorexia, lethargy, depression, diarrhea and abdominal pain. Hemolytic anemia, acute renal failure and liver damage can occur. Pancreatitis may be present as well.
So what is the recommended course of action when an owner calls your office to report that her dog swallowed some coins? If the dog is healthy and stable and the ingestion was recent, emesis could be attempted.
Pennies like to stick to the stomach wall, so if the dog can vomit right away, sometimes the coin can be recovered. Abdominal radiographs may be helpful to confirm ingestion and to quantify number of coins, but may not be able to determine which type of coin was ingested. Emesis could then be attempted.
However, if the coin cannot be recovered, bulk the diet and take daily radiographs. If the coin is still in the stomach 24-48 hours after ingestion, it needs to come out.
![Dog with penny warning illustration]
Have you ever frantically Googled “can a dog throw up a penny” after catching your furry friend munching on loose change? Well, you’re not alone! As a pet owner myself, I’ve had those heart-stopping moments when my dog Bella decided that the coins that fell from my pocket looked like tasty snacks.
Today, I’m diving deep into this surprisingly common problem that many pet parents face. The short answer is yes, a dog can sometimes throw up a penny, but you should NEVER wait for this to happen naturally Let me explain why this is a genuine emergency situation that requires immediate vet attention
The Hidden Danger in Your Pocket Change
Let’s be real – dogs are curious creatures who explore the world with their mouths. That penny on your nightstand? It’s basically an invitation for trouble to our four-legged friends.
What makes pennies particularly dangerous is their composition. Most people don’t realize this, but pennies minted after 1982 contain something that can be deadly to our pets:
- Pre-1982 pennies: 95% copper and 3% zinc
- Post-1982 pennies: 97.6% zinc and only 2.4% copper
That high zinc content is the real villain here. When a penny hits your dog’s stomach, the acid starts breaking down that zinc, releasing it into your pup’s system and potentially causing life-threatening zinc toxicity.
What Happens Inside Your Dog After Swallowing a Penny?
When your dog swallows a penny, a dangerous process begins in their stomach. The stomach acid (which has a low pH) starts to corrode the coin, especially newer pennies with high zinc content.
Here’s what happens:
- The penny enters the stomach
- Stomach acid begins breaking down the metal
- Zinc is released into the body as caustic zinc salts
- These zinc salts can damage multiple organs including the liver, kidneys and pancreas
- The zinc interferes with proper use of other essential minerals like iron and copper
What’s particularly scary is that in some cases, pennies can actually adhere to the lining of the stomach, making them difficult to dislodge naturally. This means waiting for your dog to “pass” the penny is extremely risky.
I remember when my friend Sarah’s terrier swallowed a 2018 penny. She thought it would just “pass through” – by the time she realized something was seriously wrong, her pup needed emergency surgery and blood transfusions.
Can a Dog Vomit Up a Penny Naturally?
While technically a dog could vomit up a penny on their own, it’s not something you should ever count on happening. The risks are simply too great.
The truth is:
- Some dogs might vomit up a penny shortly after ingestion if they have a sensitive stomach
- Many pennies will remain lodged in the digestive tract
- The longer a penny stays inside, the more zinc is released
- Even if your dog eventually throws up the penny, significant damage may already be done
According to veterinary experts, pennies can start causing damage quickly. By the time you notice symptoms, your dog could already be experiencing serious zinc toxicity.
Warning Signs Your Dog Has Swallowed a Penny
If your dog has ingested a penny and is suffering from zinc toxicity, you might notice these symptoms:
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Lethargy and depression
- Loss of appetite
- Pale gums
- Increased thirst and urination
- Jaundice (yellowing of skin/gums)
- Reddish colored urine
- Abdominal pain
- Fever
- Dehydration
In severe cases, your pup might experience:
- Cardiac arrhythmias
- Seizures
- Kidney failure
A Real-Life Penny Scare: Chiquita’s Story
Let me share a real story that highlights just how serious penny ingestion can be.
Chiquita, an adorable little pup, was brought to the Animal Hospital of Dauphin County because she wasn’t acting like herself. She was unusually tired, and her gums were pale instead of their normal healthy pink color.
When the vets took X-rays, they found the culprit – a penny in her stomach! Blood tests confirmed their fears: Chiquita’s red blood cell count was dangerously low, a clear sign of zinc toxicity from a post-1983 penny.
Here’s what was happening inside Chiquita: The penny in her stomach was slowly being broken down by stomach acid, releasing toxic zinc into her system. This zinc was destroying her red blood cells faster than her body could replace them. As these cells broke down, they released hemoglobin, which was damaging her liver and kidneys.
Thankfully, the veterinary team was able to remove the penny (a 1987 one) using an endoscope before it caused permanent damage. After a few days of treatment with IV fluids and medications, Chiquita made a full recovery.
What To Do If Your Dog Swallows a Penny
If you know or suspect your dog has swallowed a penny (or any coin), here’s what you need to do:
- Don’t wait for symptoms! By the time symptoms appear, serious damage may already be happening.
- Call your vet immediately – explain what happened and follow their advice.
- Do NOT induce vomiting at home without veterinary guidance – in some cases this can cause more harm.
- Get to an emergency vet clinic if your regular vet isn’t available.
- Bring a sample of the type of coin your dog may have eaten if possible.
How Vets Treat Penny Ingestion
When you arrive at the vet, they’ll likely take several steps:
- Physical examination – checking vital signs, palpating the abdomen, and examining gum color
- Blood tests – to check for anemia and organ function
- X-rays – to locate the penny and check for obstructions
- Stabilization – providing IV fluids, blood transfusions if needed, and medications
The penny will need to be removed, which might happen through:
- Induced vomiting – if the ingestion was very recent
- Endoscopy – using a camera and tools to retrieve the penny without surgery
- Surgery – if the penny can’t be reached by endoscope or has caused an obstruction
After treatment, your dog will need follow-up care and possibly additional blood tests to ensure complete recovery.
The Cost of Penny Poisoning Treatment
I won’t sugarcoat it – treating penny ingestion can be expensive. According to Wag Walking, the average cost for treating coin poisoning ranges from $500 to $6,500, with an average of about $3,500.
This wide range depends on:
- How quickly treatment begins
- Whether surgery is required
- If blood transfusions are needed
- The length of hospitalization
- Your geographic location
This is definitely one of those times when pet insurance can be a lifesaver (literally and financially). But even without insurance, the cost of treatment is worth your fur baby’s life.
Preventing Penny Problems
As with most pet emergencies, prevention is way better than treatment. Here are some simple ways to keep your pup safe:
- Keep loose change in secured containers or drawers
- Don’t leave coins on low tables or counters
- Check floors regularly, especially after emptying pockets
- Be extra vigilant if you have a puppy or a dog known to eat non-food items
- Consider using a “leave it” command as part of your training routine
- Keep purses and backpacks that might contain coins out of reach
Other Coins Can Be Dangerous Too
While pennies (especially those made after 1982) pose the greatest risk due to their high zinc content, other coins can also be hazardous:
- Nickels contain 25% nickel and 5% copper
- Dimes and quarters contain 8.33% nickel and 91.67% copper
These coins can still cause problems, including:
- Gastrointestinal blockages
- Metal toxicity (though generally less severe than zinc)
- Damage to the digestive tract
Recovery and Long-Term Outlook
If your dog receives prompt treatment after swallowing a penny, the prognosis is generally good. Most dogs who receive timely care make a full recovery, like Chiquita did.
However, dogs who experience severe zinc toxicity might have lingering issues with:
- Kidney function
- Liver health
- Anemia
- Pancreatitis
Your vet will recommend follow-up appointments to monitor your dog’s recovery and ensure no long-term damage has occurred.
Final Thoughts: Take This Seriously!
I can’t stress this enough – penny ingestion is a true emergency. Don’t wait to see if your dog will throw up the penny naturally or pass it in their stool. The risks of zinc toxicity are too severe.
Remember, dogs have died from swallowing just a single penny. The size of your dog matters too – smaller dogs face greater risks because the same amount of zinc represents a larger toxic dose for their body weight.
We love our furry family members too much to let something as simple as a penny take them from us. So keep that change secured, watch your pup carefully, and act fast if accidents happen.
Have you ever had a scary experience with your dog eating something they shouldn’t? Drop a comment below – I’d love to hear your story and how you handled it!
Until next time, keep those tails wagging and those pennies out of reach!
-Dr. Jess
Disclaimer: While I’ve researched this topic thoroughly, I’m not a veterinarian. Always consult with your veterinary professional for medical advice concerning your pet.
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Being the indiscriminate eaters they are, is it any surprise that dogs will swallow coins?
At the ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center, calls are fielded from all over the United States and Canada regarding foreign-object ingestions, including coins. Here are some facts for you to deposit in your knowledge bank.
U.S. quarters, dimes and nickels are made of copper and nickel. Canadian quarters, dimes and nickels minted after 1945 are not made with zinc. The Canadian Loonie coins ($1) and Toonie coins ($2) are also zinc free.
Canadian coins are made of varying combinations of steel, nickel, copper, silver, bronze and aluminum. Ingestions of these coins will cause mild GI upset, mechanical irritation and potentially FBO but heavy metal toxicity is not expected.
However, U.S. pennies minted from 1982 to the present and Canadian pennies minted from 1997 to 1999 are 97% to 99% zinc. Although the toxic dose has yet to be established, ingestion of even a single penny poses a risk for zinc poisoning.
The stomach’s acidic environment erodes through the copper plating and then begins to dissolve the zinc core, so zinc is readily absorbed systemically. Clinical signs of zinc toxicosis include vomiting, anorexia, lethargy, depression, diarrhea and abdominal pain. Hemolytic anemia, acute renal failure and liver damage can occur. Pancreatitis may be present as well.
So what is the recommended course of action when an owner calls your office to report that her dog swallowed some coins? If the dog is healthy and stable and the ingestion was recent, emesis could be attempted.
Pennies like to stick to the stomach wall, so if the dog can vomit right away, sometimes the coin can be recovered. Abdominal radiographs may be helpful to confirm ingestion and to quantify number of coins, but may not be able to determine which type of coin was ingested. Emesis could then be attempted.
However, if the coin cannot be recovered, bulk the diet and take daily radiographs. If the coin is still in the stomach 24-48 hours after ingestion, it needs to come out.
We have lots more on this subject:
Dog eats toxic chocolate or grapes: How to Induce Vomiting #Shorts
FAQ
What happens if a dog eats a penny?
Toxicity will depend on the size of the dog and the type of coin eaten; most cases of coin poisoning in canines involve pennies, in particular the penny minted after 1982. Severe cases may lead to cardiac arrhythmias, seizures, and renal failure. Types A pet who has ingested coins must be seen by a veterinarian immediately.
What happens if a dog pooped a penny?
In the UK, one penny, two penny, one pound, and two pound coins contain the zinc element. Dogs with zinc poisoning from a coin that has not passed and been pooped will exhibit some very serious symptoms (and possible death) including: Anemia. Pale gums. Yellowed eyes (jaundiced). Destruction of red blood cells. Liver damage / liver failure.
What should I do if my dog swallowed a penny?
If you suspect your dog has swallowed a penny, contact your vet immediately. All pennies minted after 1983 have a zinc core covered by copper. The best-case scenario is that it doesn’t feel like a drug, and you may notice significant improvement that feels natural.
What happens if a dog eats a coin?
Unfortunately for dogs, this puts their health at risk. When swallowed, your dog’s stomach acid can dissolve this thin layer of copper, meaning they are then exposed to zinc. “While some coins can be safely ingested and passed out in the stool a few days later, some types of coins contain large amounts of zinc, resulting in zinc poisoning.
What if my dog swallowed a coin?
If your dog has swallowed a coin, please call a vet immediately. You should never take any chances with things like this as there’s no guarantee it will be pooped out. Whilst many dogs will poop the coin out and it will be passed inside of one day, not all of them will be that lucky.
Can dogs eat coins?
Often, a puppy or dog who likes to eat any sort of object within reach will become ill after ingesting coins. Not only does the eating of coins allow for the risk of an obstruction in the esophagus or intestine, the compounds in coins will break down when they come in contact with gastric make up of the stomach.
Will my dog pass a penny?
What year are pennies toxic to dogs?
It is common for pets, especially dogs, to ingest coins. Among the circulating U.S. coins, only pennies pose a toxicity hazard. Pennies minted after 1982 contain a zinc core surrounded by copper plating. Each penny contains about 2,440 mg of elemental zinc1.
Is it normal for dogs to throw up a little?
The fact is that as unpleasant as it is, most dogs will vomit on occasion. If your dog vomits once or even twice, shows no other symptoms, and then returns to normal, there is likely nothing to worry about. (Although we still recommend calling your vet to let them know).
How quickly will a dog show signs of toxicity?
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