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Dogs eat things they shouldn’t from time to time, whether it’s the kitchen towel, rocks, dirt, or even another animal’s feces. While this can be normal to an extent, some pets have a condition known as pica which motivates them to eat the inedible.
As owners, it is our responsibility to try to keep our pets from eating nonfood items which can cause consequences to their health. There could be an underlying medical issue causing the behavior which often requires veterinary investigation. Read on to find out more about why your pup may have developed a recent taste for something new.
What is Pica in Dogs?
Why do dogs eat paper? Why do dogs eat wood? Why do dogs eat poop? It is a normal exploratory behavior for dogs to chew on items they shouldn’t from time to time. It becomes abnormal when they start actually ingesting these items regularly. What can a dog eat that counts as pica? Common targets include clothing, dirt, rocks or trash.
In puppies this behavior seems to be more exploratory and can correlate with teething. You may be wondering how to prevent puppy chewing problems and how to deal with a teething puppy. The good news is puppies tend to outgrow this phase of teething and occasional pica, but in adults, intervention is often necessary to stop the behavior. This behavior of eating nonfood items, known as pica, can be caused by various medical or behavioral issues.
Coprophagy, or the ingestion of feces, is not always put under the same category as pica. This behavior is often considered to be instinctual as our canine’s descendants were scavengers. Nursing mother dogs will also ingest the feces of their pups to keep their “dens” clean and this is regarded as a normal behavior.
Causes of Pica Disorder in Dogs
Pica in dogs is typically caused by an underlying medical or behavioral condition.
An unbalanced diet can lead to nutrient deficiencies, and health issues like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or intestinal parasites can lead to diminished absorption of nutrients. This malnutrition may motivate your dog to seek nutrients elsewhere.
Certain medications, such as steroids or antiepileptics can increase your dog’s appetite and lead to them eating nonfood items. Some studies have shown that dogs in pain tend to be more prone to pica, so ruling out pain with the help of your vet is also important.
Behavioral issues are more commonly to blame for pica in dogs than medical issues. Pica can be an attention-seeking behavior or may start out of boredom, especially for those pups who are left at home unsupervised during the day. Dogs may be more prone to pica at times of anxiety or stress, using it as a vice, but over time it can become a compulsive disorder that is then hard to break.
Health Risks Associated with Pica in Dogs
Pica can be a dangerous habit, with certain items being more hazardous than others when ingested. Objects like pieces of clothing, toys, or trash can cause irritation to the gastrointestinal lining as they pass or can even get stuck in the stomach or intestine. This can lead to vomiting, decreased appetite, lethargy or diarrhea in dogs.
If your pet ingests objects like household cleaners, fertilizer, rat bait or other items that contain chemicals, these can be seriously toxic. Symptoms of a toxicity vary depending on what is ingested and how much, but can range from minor GI upset to lethargy, collapse, tremors or even death.
If your pet got into something and you don’t know if it is toxic or not, call the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661). They will be able to quickly provide insight on how toxic a substance is and the next best steps after ingestion, which sometimes involves going to the vet for vomit induction.
How to Treat Pica in Dogs
Treatment of pica depends on the suspected underlying cause. If nutritional deficiencies are suspected, treating the underlying cause of these is important. Ensure your pet is on a high-quality, balanced diet formulated for their current life-stage and activity level so they are getting all the calories and essential nutrients they need. Sometimes a prescription diet may be necessary for certain bowel issues. Medications such as dewormers or anti-inflammatories can be used, if indicated.
In cases of behavioral causes for pica, management mostly involves training and enrichment, but medication may be recommended in some cases. For those pets who seem to be attention-seeking, or bored, providing them with mentally stimulating play-time and chew toys can help improve pica behavior.
If stress and anxiety appear to be the culprit, creating a calm, safe space and environment where your pet can relax and feel more at ease is beneficial. Working through anxiety can be hard and takes time and patience from owners. Medications such as fluoxetine or clomipramine can be prescribed by your veterinarian to help with anxious and compulsive behaviors. For more mild cases, a calming pheromone diffuser or pheromone collar is a great option.
Keeping a Dog with Pica Safe
Prevention is important too. Keeping items picked up can help deter pica, especially for dogs who seem to target specific items. Bitter apple spray can be applied to various items around the house in an attempt to make them taste bad and deter chewing and ingestion.
Pups who eat things when outdoors should be leash walked, if possible, to keep under owner supervision, ensuring they don’t eat rocks or other items. In severe cases, a basket muzzle may be necessary. This is a muzzle that keeps dogs from eating items off the ground and chewing on things yet is loose enough for them to pant and drink water through. It takes time to muzzle train your dog, but for those pesky pups who just can’t seem to stay out of things, a basket muzzle is a great option.
Lastly, encourage your dog to perform appropriate behaviors. When your dog picks up an item they shouldn’t have, try to offer them an appropriate alternative such as a toy or a treat instead.
Pica Disorder in Dogs
Pica is the regular ingestion of nonfood items. In our pets, this can be caused by medical issues such as worms or nutritional deficiency, or by behavioral issues like boredom or anxiety. It is important to consult with your veterinarian about pica behavior to rule out underlying medical issues.
Dogs ingest things they shouldn’t sometimes and while most cases just result in GI upset, sometimes the result is serious toxicity or even an intestinal blockage. These emergency situations can be stressful on owner and pet alike, not just mentally but also financially. Emergency surgery or hospitalization can easily cost thousands of dollars.
Having pet insurance for your dog allows you to act quickly in the face on an emergency and rest assured you will be able to afford gold standard treatment for your pet. Embrace offers comprehensive pet insurance coverage tailored to your pet’s needs and provides a financial security net for the unknown.
Protect your pet from the unknown by keeping possible pica targets inaccessible where possible, getting your pet checked out to rule out underlying health issues and by securing pet insurance in case of emergency.