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I’ve written about this before…
Recently, I heard of another case of a dog getting its tongue caught in a paper shredder.
So now seems like as good a time as any to remind everyone of the truly horrific consequences that could result if your dog is allowed anywhere near your paper shredder.
See more photos and videos below…
Dogs And Paper Shredders
If your paper shredder is anywhere within your dog’s reach, then you’re putting your dog in harm’s way — increasing the odds that your dog will accidentally get his tail (or its tongue!) caught inside the grinders.
This could cause serious permanent damage to your dog’s tongue or tail.
With some dogs, the damage has been so great they had to be euthanized.
Even dogs that are lucky enough to survive lead compromised lives . . . They have to be on soft diets, and they have to learn how to swallow again.
Don’t Let This Happen To Your Dog…
- Caine the dog’s story .– he’s the dog that lived without a tongue after getting it stuck in a paper shredder. (See updates on Caine’s own dog blog😉
- Diamond the dog’s story — it took over 100 stitches to repair this dog’s tongue.
- Rascal the dog’s story — he got his ear caught in a paper shredder, cutting off a portion of the ear.
- Shelby the dog’s story — she got her tongue stuck in a paper shredder.
- Cross the dog’s story — he’s the dog that lost small chunks from his tongue, but regained full use of his tongue
New standards will make the paper slot thinner so little fingers can’t get inside. The blades will be further away from the opening, adding more safety. Many of the shredders on the shelves already have these safety features, but even when the new standards are fully in force, plenty of old shredders will still be used.
Prevent This From Happening To Your Dog
Here are some things you can do right now to prevent something like this from happening to your dog:
- Unplug paper shredders when not in use.
- Store paper shredders out of reach of pets (and, of course, children, especially those under 5, who can also be victims of shredder accidents). Make sure that the shredder is located in a place that is “pounce proof” — since acrobatic kitties that jump atop shredders can also do terrible damage to themselves.
- To avoid attracting pets, never put food wrappers through paper shredders.
- Do not leave paper shredders on the “automatic” setting.
- When buying a paper shredder, look for one with a protective bar over the opening.
I like to help Dog Parents find unique ways to do things that will save time & money — so I write about "outside the box" Dog Tips and Dog Hacks that most wouldn't think of. I’m a lifelong dog owner — currently have 2 mixed breed Golden Aussies that we found abandoned on the side of the road as puppies. I've always trained my own dogs and help friends train theirs, as well. Professionally, I worked at a vet and have several friends who are veterinarians — whom I consult with regularly. (And just because I love animals so much, I also worked at a Zoo for awhile!) I've been sharing my best ideas with others by blogging full-time since 1998 (the same year that Google started… and before the days of Facebook and YouTube). My daily motivation is to help first-time dog owners be better prepared from the first day your new puppy enters your home. I like to help dog owners understand what's 'normal' and what you can expect in terms of living with and training your dog — how to get through the ups & downs of potty training, chewing, teaching commands, getting your dog to listen, and everything else that takes place during that hectic first year! When I'm not training, walking, grooming, or making homemade treats for my dogs, you will find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as publisher of The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites). To date, I've written over 500 articles for dog owners on this site!
