The Viral Orbeez Dog Is From Colorado (and Don't Worry, He's Okay)

A Colorado dog who had an explosive reaction after eating Orbeez water beads has become the internet's newest celebrity.

Orion was rushed to Animal Urgent Care in Arvada earlier this week after he began pooping rainbow orbs during his morning walk, says veterinarian Dr. Bailey Harmon. The dog had gotten into a pack of Orbeez, a children's toy that starts as small hard pellets and expands into soft squishy balls when exposed to water. Though Orion consumed the pellets dry, they swelled up inside of his body.

A video of the aftermath went viral online, showing Orion pushing out hundreds of the beads onto the floor. The original post from one of the veterinary technicians has garnered over 86 million views on TikTok as of Friday, October 11.

"In emergency [vets], you see dogs eat a lot of silly stuff. This was the most dramatic," Harmon says, noting that she is shocked by how widely the video has spread. "I’m happy that the case so far has had a good outcome. I’m happy that people can get a kick out of the crazy stuff we see at work.”
The excretion caught on tape was just one of "several bouts" of rainbow runs, Harmon explains. But even after passing so many of the Orbeez himself, they still caused an obstruction in the dog's gastrointestinal tract. Orion required surgery to get the remaining beads out, and Harmon found even more random objects in his system.

An x-ray revealed that Orion had eaten multiple staples in addition to the Orbeez, making it too risky for the vets to induce vomiting, which they typically would in such a situation, Harmon says.

Orion has since recovered from the operation and, by Thursday, was safe at home, free of Orbeez and staples.

The dog had recently been rescued by his new owners, who are working on restoring his health, Harmon says. Many online commenters pointed out that Orion appears underweight: “That is something they’re aware of and working on. He’s a new addition to the home.”

Harmon says anyone whose pets get into a pack of Orbeez — or any other toxic material — should follow Orion's owners' lead and get them to the vet right away.

She hopes the video going viral will inspire pet owners to prepare for these kinds of situations by creating an emergency vet plan.

"And keep everything away from your dogs," Harmon adds. "It's amazing what they will get their mouths on and swallow. Things you never thought they would."