This resource has been updated as part of the veterinary review process. It was originally published on November 13, 2018, under a different title.

Veterinary Review Initiative
This resource has been reviewed for accuracy and clarity by a qualified Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with farmed animalA species or specific breed of animal that is raised by humans for the use of their bodies or what comes from their bodies. sanctuary experience as of December 2024.

Check out more information on our Veterinary Review Initiative here!

When we think of protecting our residents from dangerous health issues, we may think of enacting biosecurity measures to prevent infectious diseases or making sure to provide an appropriate diet to prevent nutritional deficiencies and obesity-related health issues. These are important aspects of responsible care that can protect our residents, but another important danger is often overlooked – the risk of foreign body ingestion (eating non-food items). Foreign body ingestion is a risk for all sanctuary residents, but some individuals are more likely than others to ingest things they shouldn’t based on factors such as their species, breed, age, and health (both physical and psychological). While you must take appropriate steps to avoid situations where your residents could ingest foreign bodies, for some residents, this may require serious vigilance on your part!

In this resource, we’ll discuss some of the factors that can put your residents at greater risk of foreign body ingestion, the potential consequences of foreign body ingestion, and the steps caregivers can take to protect their residents from eating things they shouldn’t.

What Are Foreign Bodies?

A foreign body is any non-food item an individual ingests. While man-made objects certainly count as foreign bodies, natural materials that are not food also fall into the category of foreign bodies when ingested. It would be impossible to provide an exhaustive list, but the following list will give you an idea of some of the foreign bodies sanctuary residents may ingest (keep in mind that the likelihood of a particular resident ingesting an item from this list may vary – obviously larger species, such as cowsWhile  "cows" can be defined to refer exclusively to female cattle, at The Open Sanctuary Project we refer to domesticated cattle of all ages and sexes as "cows.", are capable of ingesting items that a smaller species could never eat, and individuals who live in their caregiver’s home may be exposed to different foreign bodies than those who do not).

Foreign bodies sanctuary residents may ingest include:

• Construction materials such as nails, screws, bolts, or pieces of metal
• Rope, string, or baling twine
• Plastic bags, water bottles, or other plastic items
• Bits of wood from chewing on fencing, toys, or other wooden items
• Jewelry
• Coins
• Textiles such as blankets, rugs, or clothing
• Bedding
• Sand
• Kitty litter
• Animal bones
• Stone fruit pits

Recognize The Risks

While all sanctuary residents have the potential to ingest foreign bodies, the risk of this happening and the circumstances that make it more likely vary. Below, we’ll look at a few factors that affect this risk. Please note that this section is focused on factors that may increase the risk of foreign body ingestion. We are not talking about the risk of health-related issues due to foreign body ingestion, which is discussed more later on in this resource.

Species-Specific Risks

As mentioned above, foreign body ingestion may be more common in some species than others. Sometimes this is due to the species’ natural behaviors around food selection. For example, chickens and turkeysUnless explicitly mentioned, we are referring to domesticated turkey breeds, not wild turkeys, who may have unique needs not covered by this resource. spend a large portion of their day pecking and scratching at the ground, foraging for and sampling potential food sources. In addition to looking for and ingesting food, they also ingest small hard rocks and pebbles (insoluble gritSmall stones or sand swallowed by birds to help them digest food.) to help with the breaking down of food in the gizzardthe muscular enlargement of the digestive tract of birds that has usually thick muscular walls and a tough horny lining for grinding the food and when the crop is present follows it and the proventriculus. If they come across small foreign bodies while foraging, they may ingest them. Additionally, if something small is dropped in their presence, they may run over and pick up the object with their beak to investigate and possibly eat the object. While far from being the only risk, shiny objects seem to be especially appealing. Please note that this issue is not unique to chickens and turkeys, other avian species are also at a higher risk of foreign body ingestion.

Large BreedDomesticated animal breeds that have been selectively bred by humans to grow as large as possible, as quickly as possible, to the detriment of their health. Chickens And Large Breed Turkeys Are At An Even Greater Risk!
Given their enthusiasm for eating, large breed chickens and turkeys face an even higher risk of foreign body ingestion than other chickens and turkeys. Some individuals will enthusiastically eat almost anything they can find, so preventing them from accessing foreign bodies they could ingest is imperative. There have been reports of large breed chickens and turkeys ingesting a wide variety of items including magnets, staples, paperclips, thumbtacks pulled from a corkboard, jewelry (sometimes skillfully and painlessly removed from a human companion!), loose change, and even a combination of these things. This means that all small objects must be kept away from them.

Pigs are another species whose natural behaviors around food selection can increase their risk of foreign body ingestion. Like chickens and turkeys, pig residents may find and ingest foreign bodies while foraging, but because they also root in search of food (using their snout to dig and turn up the ground), buried objects other residents would not be exposed to are also a concern. Another serious risk for pigs is animal bones. While they may ingest bones due to inappropriate feeding practices, in a sanctuary space where residents are fed an appropriate diet, the bigger concern is that they may come across an animal carcass in their outdoor living spaceThe indoor or outdoor area where an animal resident lives, eats, and rests.. As opportunistic omnivores, pigs are likely to eat animal carcasses they find, and ingesting bones puts them at risk of gastrointestinal obstruction and perforation (which are discussed later on). 

Goats are another species that often face a higher risk of foreign body ingestion because they are notorious for getting into things they shouldn’t. As browsers who stand up on their hind legs to reach tasty twigs and leaves, goats may be able to reach foreign objects other residents cannot. Some goats are also excellent climbers and jumpers. Given these capabilities, goat residents may be more likely to access foreign bodies than some other residents – most goat caregivers have stories about their goat residents surprising them by gaining access to something they thought was out of their reach or eating something they thought they wouldn’t. Whether it’s a pair of exam gloves hanging out of a caregiver’s pocket or baling twine that is accidentally left in their living space, goats may ingest all sorts of things that pique their curiosity. You can read more about this topic and other safety hazards for goats here. 

Species that are known for chewing on things, such as rabbitsUnless explicitly mentioned, we are referring to domesticated rabbit breeds, not wild rabbits, who may have unique needs not covered by this resource., may also be at an increased risk of foreign body ingestion in certain situations. While chewing is a normal behavior necessary for their dental health, it can cause serious issues depending on what they chew and ingest. For example, chewing on plastic items (such as food dishes) or carpeting can put them at risk of gastrointestinal obstruction. Therefore, it’s important to give them access to safe chewing opportunities and to prevent them from chewing on things that are unsafe.

While some residents may seem to intentionally seek out foreign bodies to ingest, for some species, foreign body ingestion is more likely to occur accidentally. A good example of this is cows who take large mouthfuls of food and do not chew it thoroughly before swallowing. Bales of hay sometimes contain pieces of garbage or baling materials that could be ingested while cows are eating. 

Age-Related Risks

For some species, the risk of foreign body ingestion may vary by age, with younger individuals typically being most likely to be affected. For example, while horses of any age could ingest a foreign body, this tends to be more common in foals. We’ve already mentioned the significant risk of foreign body ingestion in large breed chickens, but, anecdotally, some sanctuaries have noted that young Cornish crosses sometimes obsessively eat straw bedding and eventually grow out of this behavior.

Physical And Psychological Health-Related Risks

An individual’s health can also affect the likelihood of them ingesting foreign bodies. For example, certain nutritional deficiencies and imbalances have been associated with foreign body ingestion in some species. Additionally, foreign body ingestion can be the result of psychological distress, which may be caused by inappropriate living spaces that do not allow for natural behaviors or other stressors. While sanctuary residents can certainly develop abnormal behaviors around foreign body ingestion while at your sanctuary, some sanctuary residents may arrive exhibiting behaviors they developed due to their previous living situation. Of particular note, individuals who were starved or faced uncertainty around food may have had to resort to eating non-food items and may continue to exhibit this behavior despite being provided with an appropriate diet. 

If you observe that a resident seems drawn to ingesting things they shouldn’t, be sure to consult with your veterinarian. They can help determine if the underlying cause is a physical health concern and can make recommendations to address it. In the case of foreign body ingestion being related to psychological distress or learned behavior, it can take time and patience to address. You can find tips for addressing abnormal behaviors here. In the meantime, you’ll need to take steps to prevent them from accessing foreign bodies they are likely to ingest.

Potential Consequences Of Foreign Body Ingestion

Foreign body ingestion can cause numerous problems, with the specifics depending on various factors including what was ingested (shape, size, composition, etc.), where it is located in the gastrointestinal tract, and how long it has been in the GI tract. These issues include:

Gastrointestinal Obstruction

If the foreign body is too large to pass through the gastrointestinal tract, it will create an obstruction. Depending on the size and shape of the object, this obstruction may be partial, allowing some food/fluid to move around it, or complete, where everything is blocked from moving past. Complete obstructions occur most often with round foreign bodies that are large in comparison to the gastrointestinal tract. A gastric obstruction (complete or partial) can result in damage to the gastrointestinal tract, as described below, and can be life-threatening. 

Damage To The Gastrointestinal Tract

In addition to the risk of obstruction, foreign body ingestion can lead to damage to the gastrointestinal tract. If the foreign body is sharp or angular, it may damage or perforate the GI tract as it passes through. In other cases, the damage occurs from the gastrointestinal tract working to pass the object through – for example, the intestine contracts to move food, and these contractions against the foreign body can result in damage.

Traumatic Reticuloperitonitis In Ruminants
When ruminants ingest sharp foreign bodies, a common consequence is traumatic reticuloperitonitis (often referred to as ‘hardware disease’) – stay tuned for an in-depth resource on this subject, but for now, you can read more about this issue here.

While it may seem obvious that ingesting a sharp object can cause gastrointestinal damage, keep in mind that these are not the only foreign bodies of concern. Strings, baling twine, and other long, thin materials can cause serious issues despite not being hard or sharp. These types of foreign bodies are referred to as ‘linear foreign bodies’ and pose a significant risk because one end of the foreign body may become stuck in the GI tract while the other end continues to move through it. This can cause the intestines to bunch up as they continue to work to move the foreign body. Ultimately, this will create almost a sawing motion between the linear foreign body and the intestines, causing damage to the mucosal lining and ultimately perforation. Whether caused by a linear foreign body or a sharp foreign body, perforation of the intestines will allow intestinal contents to leak into the abdomen (or coelom in birds), resulting in a life-threatening condition (peritonitis or coelomitis). Linear foreign bodies tend to cause damage to larger portions of the GI tract which can make the prognosis worse.

In addition to perforation, gastrointestinal obstruction from a foreign body can reduce blood supply to portions of the gastrointestinal tract, which can result in tissue death (necrosisNecrosis is the death of most or all of the cells in an organ or tissue due to disease, injury, or failure of the blood supply.).

Toxicity

Depending on what the foreign body is made of, ingestion could also result in toxicity. Of particular note are items that contain heavy metals such as zinc or lead. While heavy metals can cause toxicity in any sanctuary resident, it is a very common issue in birds. We’ll be covering this topic in more detail in an upcoming resource, but for now, you can read a bit more about this topic here.

Potential Signs Of Foreign Body Ingestion

The clinical signs of foreign body ingestion will vary depending on the species affected, the foreign body ingested, where it is located in the gastrointestinal tract, how long it has been there, and whether or not it has started causing any of the issues described above. These signs may include the following:

• Signs of pain
• Inappetence
• Vomiting/regurgitation
• CropA crop is a pouched enlargement of the esophagus of many birds that serves as a receptacle for food and for its preliminary maceration. distention (in birds)
• Abdominal distension
• Abdominal discomfort
• Abnormal feces (including diarrhea, mucus-covered feces, bloody feces, or unusually dry feces)
• A decrease or absence of feces

Please be aware that the signs above are not specific to foreign body ingestion – they could also be a sign of a different issue that warrants veterinary assessment.

Don’t Wait For Signs Of Concern!
Always contact your veterinarian if one of your residents presents the signs above, but if you know or suspect someone has ingested a foreign body contact your veterinarian for guidance – do not wait to see if they develop clinical signs. Depending on what was ingested, your veterinarian may need to see the individual right away. When caught and addressed quickly, it may be easier for your veterinarian to retrieve the foreign body, and they may be able to use less invasive methods to do so. They may also be able to address the issue before more serious issues develop. However, in some cases, particularly if your veterinarian feels the foreign body is unlikely to result in obstruction, perforation, or toxicity, they may recommend closely watching the individual for signs of concern. They may also ask you to look through their stool to see if they pass the foreign body. If the individual begins to show signs of concern or does not pass the object within a certain timeframe, they will need to be evaluated. Your veterinarian can perform a physical examination and may also recommend diagnostic imaging to determine if there is a foreign body present in the gastrointestinal tract and where it is. They can then make recommendations regarding how to proceed.

Preventing Foreign Body Ingestion At Your Animal Sanctuary

Thankfully, there are plenty of steps you can take to reduce the risk of foreign body ingestion at your sanctuary. Most of the below recommendations are fairly universal but keep in mind that the risk different individuals face may vary based on the factors described above and also based on the specifics of their living arrangements and other factors unique to your sanctuary. In mixed species groups, be sure to consider if and how this may affect the risk of access to foreign bodies. For example, sheep may be unlikely to access health care supplies kept high on a shelf, but if they live with goats, it’s quite possible that a goat resident could reach up and knock the supplies into the living space for anyone to access and ingest. Be sure to think carefully about your specific residents and living arrangements and how to most effectively reduce the risk of foreign body ingestion.

Implement Additional Preventative Measures For Individuals Residing In Human Dwellings
Human dwellings typically contain a multitude of objects that could be ingested, so if you share your home with farmed animal companions, you’ll need to think carefully about what is needed to prevent foreign body ingestion. While this may vary a bit depending on the species you live with, it’s typically helpful to give the residents their own space that you can set up to most appropriately meet their needs. You can then make sure this space is kept free of foreign bodies they could ingest. When individuals spend time in other parts of your home that are not set up specifically for them, supervision is key. However, even with supervision, foreign body ingestion can happen, so be vigilant about keeping things they are likely to ingest away from them. For more ideas on how to prevent foreign body ingestion when sharing your home with birds, check out this resource. While it is focused on chickens, many of the suggestions can be applied to other farmed bird species as well.

By implementing the following practices, you will be addressing some of the most common ways sanctuary residents are exposed to foreign bodies they could ingest.

Prevent exposure to foreign bodies in resident living spaces:

• Check outdoor spaces regularly for animal carcasses, buried foreign bodies that are becoming unearthed, balloons or plastic bags that may have blown into the space, and other non-food items that could be ingested
• Store objects your residents could ingest outside of resident areas (this is much safer than simply storing them “out of reach”)
• Check infrastructure regularly for broken or loose pieces that could be ingested (nails, screws, fencing, wood boards, etc.)
• If residents appear to be ingesting their bedding, look into a different bedding option
• Make sure enrichment offerings do not contain small pieces that could be ingested or easily broken off
• Regularly inspect dishes, toys, blankets, and other items residents have access to for damage or signs residents are chewing on them
• Be extremely careful when performing maintenance or construction projects (see textbox below)

Maintenance And Construction Projects
Sanctuary buildings and other infrastructure require regular maintenance, but this must be done very carefully to prevent exposing your residents to hazards, including foreign bodies they could ingest. When performing a maintenance or construction project in spaces your residents typically have access to, it’s safest to restrict their access while the project is being done. This will allow folks to do the work that is needed without having to worry about residents getting into something they shouldn’t. It also gives folks the chance to thoroughly clean up after the project. If the project is taking place in an indoor space that is typically covered with bedding, removing bedding from the space or covering it with a tarp or drop cloth can help make clean up easier and prevent situations where screws, nails, or other objects have been concealed by bedding and are left behind. All tools and any supplies that could be ingested or cause injury should be removed from the space before residents are given access again. To ensure there are no loose screws, nails, etc. left in the space, it’s a good idea to run a magnet sweeper along the ground. Keep in mind this will only collect magnetic objects.

Prevent exposure to foreign bodies in hay or straw:

• Remove all baling material before hay or straw is provided to residents
• If residents are given access to bales that are still held together with twine, wire, etc., (such as for roosting areas, climbing structures, to block a draft, etc.) be sure to check bales regularly and remove baling material as it becomes loose
• Inspect hay and straw for foreign bodies when providing it to your residents
• If you find that your hay or straw often contains foreign bodies, look into working with a different supplier

Prevent exposure to foreign bodies when providing produce:

• Remove any stickers, rubber bands, twist ties, plastic wrap, etc. from produce before offering it to residents
• Removing pits from stone fruits

Prevent exposure to foreign bodies during human interactions:

• Consider asking guests to leave concerning items outside of resident living spaces and only allow guests into resident living spaces when accompanied by trained personnel who can step in if a potential safety issue arises
• Be mindful of how supplies are transported into resident living spaces, keeping items that could be ingested in containers that can be securely closed (versus something like a bucket that can easily spill and that residents may be able to reach into)
• Consider asking sanctuary personnel to avoid wearing jewelry or accessories that could be ingested by residents

As caregivers, we have our hands full when it comes to keeping our residents safe! While this can be an overwhelming task, when it comes to preventing foreign body ingestion, knowledge is power. By understanding the risks your residents face, you can implement practical measures to help mitigate these risks. While you may not be able to eliminate every risk, you can greatly reduce the chances they’ll ingest a foreign body and will also be better prepared to respond appropriately if they do. Remember, always contact your veterinarian for guidance if you know or suspect that a resident has ingested a foreign body. A prompt response can make a world of difference!

SOURCES:

Gastrointestinal Foreign Bodies | American College Of Veterinary Surgeons 

A Primer On PetsAnimals who spend regular time with humans in their home and life for companionship or human pleasure. Typically a small subset of animal species are considered to be pets by the general public. And Foreign-Body Ingestion | Animal Emergency And Specialty Center 

Porcine GI Issues | University Of Minnesota Libraries

Linear Foreign Body in Cats | VCA Animal Hospitals

Bowel Obstruction in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms & Treatment | Cerbat Cliffs Animal Hospital

Diagnosis And Treatment Of Foreign Bodies Swallowing Syndrome In Camels (Camelus dromedarius) With Special Reference To The Role Of Mineral Deficiency | Journal Of Veterinary Medical Science 

Lead Poisoning In Animals | Merck Veterinary Manual

Gastrointestinal Obstruction In Small Animals | Merck Veterinary Manual

Acute Intestinal Obstructions In Large Animals | Merck Veterinary Manual

Large intestinal obstruction | University Of Minnesota Libraries 

Normal Behaviors Of Chickens In Small And Backyard Poultry Flocks | Poultry Extension (Non-Compassionate Source)

Non-Compassionate Source?
If a source includes the (Non-Compassionate Source) tag, it means that we do not endorse that particular source’s views about animals, even if some of their insights are valuable from a care perspective. See a more detailed explanation here.