Introduction

Dogs are curious and love to explore the world around them. While this is typically a good thing, it can also lead to some bad habits. Many dogs have been known to eat things that are not safe for them or even dangerous. As a pet owner, you should be aware of the most common things that your dog may eat as well as some simple steps you can take to keep your dog away from danger while they explore.

MOUTHING, CHEWING AND EATING NON-FOOD ITEMS: PICA IN DOGS

Pica is a behavior where your dog eats items that are not food. This can include paper, rocks, sticks, or any other item that would not ordinarily be eaten by your pet. If a dog has a pica issue, it may be dangerous for them to swallow pieces of these objects and they should be removed from the environment.

Pica can occur in dogs of any age and breed but usually begins at about 3 months old and stops by age 1 year old. It’s unclear why dogs engage in this behavior but some veterinarians believe it is stress related because studies have shown that dogs with separation anxiety tend to engage in pica more than those without it. Other possible causes include boredom or loneliness from being left alone too often without interaction with humans or other pets; an imbalance in hormones such as testosterone; and/or gastrointestinal disease such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), diabetes mellitus (DM) or pancreatitis which cause pain when eating regular food so some dogs may turn towards non-food items instead because they feel better when chewing them

What is pica in dogs?

When you think of the term “pica,” what comes to mind? I’m willing to bet it’s not your dog eating paper, plastic bags and coins. But this could very well be the case with your dog.

Pica is a medical term that describes the eating of non-food items. In dogs, pica can take many forms—from chewing on plastic bags or playing with rubber bands to ingesting larger household objects like shoes and wallets. While these behaviors might seem harmless at first glance, they can cause significant harm if left untreated and should be taken seriously by pet parents.

Pica in dogs can be a symptom of underlying conditions

Pica can be an indicator of an underlying condition, so if your dog is eating things that you don’t think he should, get him checked out by a vet. A few common underlying conditions include:

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Dogs with this condition have chronic inflammation in their intestines, which can cause them to eat non-food items (like paper or fabric) as a way to relieve their pain and discomfort.
• Hypothyroidism: Dogs with hypothyroidism don’t produce enough thyroid hormone, causing symptoms like weight gain and skin issues (among others). Since the thyroid controls metabolism and energy levels, it’s easy to see how hypothyroid dogs might try to consume more calories than usual by eating non-food items like paper—but this doesn’t mean they’re trying to be gluttons! It’s just part of the symptom complex associated with low thyroid function.

Pica can also be a compulsive disorder that can be triggered by stress and anxiety.

It’s important to note that pica can be a symptom of a mental health disorder, and it’s not uncommon for dogs to eat things they shouldn’t eat when stressed or anxious. If you’ve recently experienced a big change in your dog’s behavior (like moving, getting new furniture, or going through a divorce), he may be using food as an outlet for stress. This can lead him to begin eating things like plastic bags and paper towels—and even steal cash from wallets!

Some instances of pica such as eating sticks and stones are the result of instinctual behaviors in dogs. This is called behavioral pica.

For some dogs, the motivation for eating non-food items is because they are motivated by the taste or smell of the item. However, there are other instances of pica such as eating sticks and stones, which can be the result of instinctual behaviors in dogs. This is called behavioral pica.

Behavioral pica can also occur when a dog is not getting enough nutrition from their diet or if they are experiencing stress due to lack of socialization, loneliness, boredom or separation anxiety.

SAMPLE PROBLEMS OF PICA IN DOGS

While dogs are considered to be non-picky eaters, some dogs will engage in pica—the consumption of non-food items.

Pica can be either an isolated behavior or it may be related to medical conditions that are not yet diagnosed.

Here are some common symptoms of pica:

• Eating too fast or eating too much
• Eating things that aren’t food (like rocks, pebbles)
• Chewing on inedible items (like wood or plastic) even when there’s plenty of real food available and no stress factors around the house—this is a sign that your dog might be experiencing some kind of physical discomfort
• Excessive licking of surfaces (such as furniture, floors)
• Excessive salivation when there’s nothing wrong with their mouth

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR DOG EATS SOMETHING HE SHOULDN’T HAVE EATEN!

If your dog eats something he shouldn’t have, take the following steps:

• Keep the dog away from that item in the future and make sure it’s out of reach at all times.
• Don’t punish your dog for eating something he shouldn’t have eaten; this will only confuse him and make it harder to prevent him from doing it again in the future.
• If your dog ate something toxic or dangerous (like medications or plants), contact a veterinarian immediately (if you’re not sure what to do, call your local vet clinic and ask them if they can help). If the vet isn’t available when you need them most—or if they’re closed altogether—try calling 1-888-426-4435 to speak with an ASPCA poison control expert who can guide you through this process as quickly as possible.* *If possible, try to keep track of how much time has passed since ingestion so that our experts may offer better guidance based upon both age and weight of animal at issue!

Dogs may eat things they should not but there are ways to manage their behavior and protect your valuables.

The first thing to do is to provide your dog with a safe place and chew toys. This could be an old towel, an old shoe or a rawhide bone. Next, make sure your dog has plenty of toys to keep them occupied.

Next, make sure he gets plenty of exercise and walks outside daily. Finally, consider crate training or using a muzzle if you have issues with destructive behavior that are not easily resolved by other means (such as providing appropriate chew items).

Conclusion

If you’re concerned about your dog eating something they shouldn’t, it’s important to find out what the cause is. If you think there may be a medical cause, it is best to visit your veterinarian. However if this behavior is compulsive or learned, then behavioral training may be needed.