However, many will draw the line at non-food objects. Many dogs aren’t picky when it comes to food and will eat just about anything. Eating strange, non-food items is a behaviour called pica.īut why do they do this? We’re going to explain what pica is, all the possible reasons for pica and ways to help your dog kick the habit.

“Teaching ‘leave it’ and ‘drop it’ prior to the stressful situation will also be very helpful.Dogs eat some weird, and often very disgusting things that will make us humans turn our noses up in disgust. “Give food as a reinforcement,” says Jay. For example, Jay recommends redirecting your dog’s attention onto you within 2 seconds of them seeing a desired item. Carefully monitoring your dog during playtime or time outdoors can also help prevent them from eating non-food items.įor those dogs that don’t grow out of it, behavioral training early on can help change their behavior. Pet parents can help their pups from a young age by training and teaching them what is appropriate to chew. Older dogs who develop pica will likely need intervention.

That’s part of their normal behavior, and most grow out of the phase, says Karwacki. Puppies do tend to put everything in their mouths. “A basket muzzle can also be used to physically prevent your dog from eating what they should not eat,” recommends Karwacki. On walks, have treats or a toy ready to distract your pup and keep them from inedible items. If your dog starts eating rocks and dirt in the backyard, keep them on a leash, or block access to rocks using fencing. Additionally, pet parents can help their dogs by providing safe and sturdy chew toys and food puzzles. “Make your dog way more interested in interacting with you while burning off that extra mental energy that your stressed and/or bored dogs have bottled up that lead to pica,” says Jay. At other times, training may be recommended.Ĭonsider setting time aside every day to do some training exercises and games with your dog in the backyard, suggests Lauren Jay, a dog trainer in Queens, New York.

For example, if your dog is bored or needs more activity, you can work to address these needs. If your dog’s pica is caused by another behavioral issue, a number of strategies may be needed. Consult with a behavioral veterinarian to develop an individualized plan. For a medical condition, Karwacki says your veterinarian will prescribe treatments to manage the condition.įor anxiety, your dog may need behavioral interventions, “along with possible anxiety medication if that is needed for the situation,” says Karwacki. Treatment for pica will depend on whether the cause is medical or behavioral. They may also perform a thorough behavioral consult to determine if anxiety or boredom are driving your dog to consume non-food items. Your veterinarian will likely run blood tests to look for any other underlying medical conditions. Generally, pica can be diagnosed by the dog’s behavior alone. She suggests an exam and lab work at the clinic to help determine the cause of the imbalance. “If your adult dog starts to eat their own feces, there could be a nutritional imbalance,” says Karwacki. Even though the causes may be different in pica and geophagia, the symptoms are the same.Įating poop, however, is a separate condition called coprophagia. Dogs with this condition consume soil, clay, and dirt. When a dog is anemic, or cannot absorb nutrients in the food they are eating, they may experience a form of pica known as geophagia. Any dog that doesn’t have enough appropriate toys to chew on may also turn to other items. Dogs with separation anxiety are more likely to chew up and eat items in the absence of their humans.ĭog breeds with high energy and a lack of exercise or stimulation may also destroy and consume non-edible items. If your pooch is bored or feeling anxious, they may resort to eating things they shouldn’t. The cause of pica can either be behavioral or medical, says Karwacki. “Excessive drooling, as well as gagging, can be caused if a foreign material is caught in the throat.” What causes pica in dogs? “If the non-food item gets stuck in the stomach or intestines, you can see vomiting, decreased appetite, and pain in the abdomen,” says Karwacki. Items can get stuck in the throat, stomach, or intestines and lead to symptoms such as:

When your dog has pica, a clear sign is any complications caused by eating non-food items. Getting an object lodged in their intestinal tract Some dogs stick to eating only one inedible object, while others may go after a wide variety of items, from cloth or paper to drywall. Amber Karwacki, a partner veterinarian with Heart + Paw in Philadelphia. The dog needs to be ingesting the item for it to be considered pica,” shares Dr. “Just chewing on non-food items is not a sign of pica. Pica is when a dog has the urge to eat inedible items.

Dog pica deficiency