Is wrapping paper safe for dogs to chew?

Standard paper, chewed or torn in small amounts, typically passes through a dog's digestive system without major issue, similar to how a dog occasionally shredding a piece of cardboard rarely causes serious harm. The bigger risk comes from what is attached to or wrapped within the paper rather than the paper itself.

Curling ribbon, string bows, and sticky tape all pose a genuine choking or intestinal obstruction risk if swallowed, considerably more serious than paper alone, and metallic or glitter-coated wrapping can occasionally cause irritation if a dog chews and ingests a large piece. Small gift tags with string attached present a similar risk to ribbon.

During a gift opening session, particularly a busy one with several people and packages at once, keep an eye on what your dog has access to, since a fast-moving, exciting event like this is exactly when a scrap of ribbon or paper can disappear unnoticed. Collect discarded wrapping promptly into a bag rather than letting it accumulate on the floor throughout the session.

If you suspect your dog has swallowed a significant piece of wrapping material, especially ribbon or tape, watch for vomiting, reduced appetite, or straining over the following day or two, and contact a vet if any of these appear or if you know a meaningful amount was eaten. Keeping the packaging or a similar sample handy helps a vet judge the material and size involved more accurately.