Ballu’s Story: Why Pet Parents Must Watch What Dogs Chew

Bigg Boss 18's Rajat Dalal is in grief as his beloved dog Ballu passed away, after the heart-wrenching incident. Ballu's case is another reminder that sometimes our pets can find themselves in perilous environments in everyday life.

Many individuals believe that their dog is not just a pet but a part of their family. A member of the family, a friend, a companion and a source of unconditional love. It is a pain that can not be described by words when such a companion is lost.

Recently, fitness influencer and Bigg Boss 18 contestant Rajat Dalal shared the sad news of his pet dog named Ballu passing away on 8th of November, 2026. Along with pictures of his favorite companion, Rajat also posted an emotional goodbye message:

"BALLU MERA PYARA BETA. 12 June 2026 – 8 Nov 2026. Kuch kamiyan jeewan bhar ke liye reh jati hai.

His words spoke of the deep connection he shared with Ballu and the loss of the same.

The incident started on October 31 when Ballu allegedly consumed a whole plant with thorns, reports said. He swallowed the thorns which severely injured his intestine. Rajat shared that Ballu was rushed to the hospital and treated, but his condition is still serious. Despite the efforts to save him, Ballu passed away.

His story has resonated with many pet owners and is a warning to all of us that anything around us at home or in the garden can be a hazard if we let our pets get into it.

Dogs have a curious nature. They investigate the world around them with their nose and mouths. Leaves, sticks, flowers and other things are chewed by puppies, particularly, when playing.

But eating thorny plants can be very hazardous.

Sharp thorns and pointed parts of plants may damage the digestive tract as they pass through. Depending on their size, shape and location, they may cause:

Not all parts of plants are dangerous when swallowed, but anything sharp or spiky is dangerous and should be taken seriously. Do not assume that a dog will pass or digest them.

7 Warning Signs That Your Dog May Have Swallowed Something Dangerous

A major challenge for pet parents is that dogs can't let us know when something hurts them. Sometimes, owners may not even realise that their dog has swallowed a foreign object.

If you recognise the warning signs it will help to get your animal to veterinary care sooner.

When the digestive system is irritated or blocked, it may cause vomiting. If the vomiting has been repeated, particularly after eating or drinking something that may contain a foreign object, it is imperative that veterinary care be sought.

If your dog suddenly stops eating or isn't interested in food, the cause could be digestive discomfort, pain or another issue.

Look for unusual behaviors like whining and restlessness, hunched back, and being aggressive when someone touches the belly.

Do not overlook a change in dog's behavior if he or she is normally active and suddenly becomes inactive, sleeping too much or refusing to play.

Diarrhoea, constipation or stool changes can happen due to digestive irritation or obstruction. The presence of blood in the stool is especially worrisome.

A dog that drools excessively, gags or has trouble swallowing may have an object that has injured or stuck in its mouth or throat.

If your baby hides, refuses to move, moves position many times or doesn't feel well, something is amiss.

Important: These signs are not exclusive to swallowed objects. They can occur with several medical conditions. Do not wait for symptoms to occur to call the veterinarian if you think your dog ate something sharp.

It's one of the most important tips for any pet parent.

If you see your dog swallowing a thorn, sharp plant part, bone fragment or another dangerous object, take the following steps:

Describe your dog's ingestion, the amount of ingestion (how much and when). Do as the veterinarian says relating to bringing your pet in for a check-up.

Any sharp object may cause further injuries on the way back down through the digestive tract. Do not try to induce vomiting unless directed to do so by a veterinarian.

Do NOT push anything through the digestive system by giving oil, milk, bread or other food. Such treatments are not a replacement for veterinary treatment.

If it is a sharp object in the mouth or throat, do not try to pull it out as this could cause further injury.

When making arrangements for veterinary care, be alert to the signs of vomiting, stomach discomfort, lethargy, changes in appetite and abnormal activity. Even if your dog seems fine at first, don't wait to get a professional look at it.

Depending on the object and the injuries, a veterinarian can recommend an examination, X-rays, ultrasound, endoscopy, hospitalisation or surgery.

Veterinary assessment early on in the disease process can make a difference in treatment options and treatment results.

8 Ways to Protect Your Dog from Dangerous Plants and Objects at Home

Pet safety is not just started at the time of sickness. It begins with the establishment of a safe environment in which preventable accident occurrences are reduced.

Below are some simple tips that all pet parents should keep in mind.

Inspect your garden, balcony, terrace and indoor spaces. Remove or restrict access to plants with sharp thorns, poisonous leaves or other potentially dangerous parts.

Not all plants are pet-friendly. Others may lead to vomiting, diarrhoea, irritation or to a more severe poisoning if chewed or swallowed.

When purchasing a new plant check if it can be used safely with pets.

If your dog is playing in places like a park or new area outdoors, watch him for things he is sniffing, chewing and picking up.

Any sticks, broken plastic, glass and sharp bones, gardening tools and other sharp or hazardous items must never be left lying around where pets can reach them.

Chewing of bones is a natural activity of the dog. Provide them with toys that are the right size and are tough enough to resist their chewing, but not so hard that they will harm them.

Training your dog to "Leave it" and "Drop it" can help to stop them from taking a potentially hazardous toy or picking up and chewing it again. Practise these commands regularly using positive reinforcement.

Regular check-ups at your pet's veterinarian appointments allow you to discuss behavioural changes, feeding habits and potential dangers in the home and monitor your pet's overall health.

Keep the information about your regular veterinarian and a close-by emergency veterinary hospital. In the event of an emergency, it can save time to know where to find it.

The heartbreaking part of Ballu's story is sad but the other thing that should be taken note by every pet owner is that accidents can happen even in familiar environment.

A plant in the garden, a small object on the ground or a thing that we pick out on a walk can seem harmless to us. However, it could be a health hazard for a curious dog.

We have decisions to make, decisions that keep our pets safe. Are unable to describe what they have eaten or where they have pain. It is important that we detect the little changes; be aware of the red flags and take action if something doesn't seem right.

It is not only about feeding, playing and loving your pet. It's also about providing a safe place, knowing what to look out for and knowing how to respond swiftly when our pets need assistance.

Ballu's tale is a heartbreaker example of how little can go wrong in the greatest of circumstances.

Rest in peace Ballu. You are loved and will be remembered.