Pet owner's $9,000 warning: The hidden danger in your dog’s toy box

Every dog owner knows the joy of watching their four-legged friend run around with a favourite toy. But for Melbourne pet owner Phoebe Alexander, what began as a happy day at the park nearly turned into tragedy. Her beloved American Bully, Zyan, suddenly fell ill—and the cause was something you’ll find in almost every Australian home: a simple toy.

After a terrifying ordeal and a $9,000 vet bill, Phoebe is now warning other pet owners about the risks hidden in their dog’s toy box.

A routine day turns into a nightmare

When Zyan began vomiting foam, Phoebe thought he might have swallowed some bubble mixture during their park visit. But when he didn’t get better, her instincts told her something was seriously wrong.

After being told to ‘monitor and watch’ by the first vet, she sought a second opinion—a move that may have saved Zyan’s life. Within hours, blood tests showed dangerously high kidney enzyme levels, and an emergency operation revealed the cause: a large chunk of twisted rope toy lodged deep in his intestines.

Phoebe said she and her family didn’t own that particular toy at home, so she suspected Zyan had quietly eaten it at a dog park.

‘The day before he had actually been to the dog park, so I said to the vet, "Can you lick a puddle and get sick?"' Phoebe recalled. ‘The vet didn’t give any explanation but urged me to keep monitoring him. So I took him to a different vet.’

At the second clinic, she was given two choices. ‘They said we can give him a nausea injection and you can go home and monitor him for a few days, or we can do blood tests and see if there’s anything else going on. We opted for the blood test. Two hours later, I get the call,’ she said.

Phoebe received a frantic call urging her to bring Zyan in for emergency surgery after a blockage was found in his intestines.

‘We were quoted $8,000 to $10,000,’ she said. ‘So glad we have pet insurance, however, you don’t know how much you’re gonna get back until you get the bill.’

The total came to nearly $9,000, with pet insurance covering 75 per cent—still leaving her with more than $2,000 out of pocket.

Following the surgery, Phoebe held up a thick chunk of the rope toy that had been removed from Zyan’s body. ‘This was blocking his whole intestine—it’s massive,’ she said.

‘We don’t own any of those, so it’s definitely come from the dog park. We didn’t even see him eat it. But cut a long story short, if you’ve got any of those toys, get rid of them now just in case your dog eats them.’

Why rope toys can be so dangerous

Veterinarians warn that rope toys can pose a serious and often unexpected threat. When a dog swallows strands of rope, one end may get stuck in the stomach while the other travels through the intestines.

As the digestive system moves, the strand can tighten ‘like a drawstring’, cutting into the intestines and causing life-threatening damage.

If untreated, the intestines can twist and bunch together, creating painful lacerations. Even small fibres chewed off over time can cause dangerous blockages—much like hair clogging a drain.

If you notice these symptoms, contact your vet immediately.

The hidden toxins in cheap toys

Aside from choking risks, some rope toys may also carry chemical concerns. Testing by HealthyStuff.org on over 400 pet products revealed that many included traces of heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury.

Some products contained lead levels tens of thousands of times higher than the safety standard for children’s toys. Since there are no strict government regulations on hazardous materials in pet products, toxic exposure remains a serious concern.

Safer alternatives for playtime

Veterinarians recommend choosing durable rubber toys instead. Brands like KONG and GoughNuts create products specifically designed to withstand chewing without breaking apart.

These rubber toys can be filled with treats for extra stimulation, helping dogs stay both mentally and physically active. Soft, flexible rubber that bends easily in your hands is ideal for tug-of-war and chewing—strong enough to last, yet gentle on teeth.

What seniors should know about pet insurance

Phoebe’s story is also a financial reminder for many older Australians. Her pet insurance covered most of the cost, but the remaining $2,000 was still a major burden.

For retirees or anyone on a fixed income, pet insurance can be an essential safety net. While the average dog owner spends about $158 a month on their pet—including around $20 on toys—one medical emergency can easily cost more than a full year’s worth of regular expenses.

Taking action at home

If you have rope toys lying around, experts recommend removing them immediately. If you suspect your dog may have eaten a piece, contact your vet right away.

And if you can see a rope strand in your dog’s mouth, never pull on it—doing so could make the blockage worse.

Phoebe’s story, which has already reached thousands of viewers online, has inspired many pet owners to check their own toy boxes. Several shared their own stories of emergency surgeries, with bills ranging from $2,000 to $5,000.

‘Our puppy ate the rope toy and cost us $4,800 to get his surgery,’ one person commented. ‘Same thing happened to my golden retriever when she was one year old—bloody rope toy. They’re banned in our house now,’ another said.

Others told of near-misses: ‘I noticed a family member’s dog chewing and eating the rope, so I took it off her. Luckily, there was no trip to the vet.’

The bigger picture: Safe and responsible pet care

For many seniors, pets bring joy, companionship and purpose. Yet stories like this show how important it is to stay informed about product safety.

Cheap, brightly coloured toys can sometimes hide toxic chemicals or hard materials that break apart easily.

If a toy gives off a strong chemical smell, it’s often a sign of low-quality or unsafe materials. Investing in safer, well-made toys not only protects your dog’s health but can save you from heartbreak and huge medical bills down the line.

As Phoebe learned, a few minutes of play can turn dangerous without warning.

By checking your pet’s toys regularly and choosing quality over quantity, you can help ensure that playtime stays safe and joyful.

Read next: Got a dog? You might be required to spend time with them soon—here’s why

Key Takeaways

• Rope toys can pose serious health risks to dogs if swallowed, potentially causing life-threatening intestinal blockages that require expensive emergency surgery.
• Phoebe Alexander’s story shows how quickly a fun playtime can turn into a $9,000 medical crisis, even with pet insurance covering most of the costs.
• Veterinary experts recommend replacing rope toys with safer alternatives such as durable rubber toys from trusted brands like KONG or GoughNuts.
• For seniors and pet owners on fixed incomes, comprehensive pet insurance and regular toy checks are essential for preventing costly and avoidable emergencies.

Have you ever had a close call with one of your pet’s toys? What safety checks do you do at home to keep your furry friend out of harm’s way? Share your experience in the comments—your story could help another pet owner avoid the same mistake.