Dog pica backyard4/24/2023 However, sometimes an endoscope can remove smaller objects that get caught in the digestive tract. If this is the case, then your dog may need surgery to clear the obstruction. Pica can lead to gastrointestinal or respiratory blockage. Supervising outdoor time, crating while you’re away, or muzzling dogs when they are not within eyesight are all potential options. When pooches eat non-food items, whether dirt, grass, rocks, sticks or garbage, they may be diagnosed with a condition called pica, which just means that your dog is eating non-food items. Whether the cause is psychological or medical, it’s a good idea to remove objects from dogs’ environments that they feel compelled to eat. If there’s an issue with malnutrition or unbalanced diet, then dietary changes will be prescribed, and dogs may be tested for nutrient or vitamin deficiency. In some cases, pica is caused by a mineral. Eating dirt is a form of pica, or eating things that arent food. If medication is causing the problem, then it should be discontinued. 1.Learn some of the reasons that dogs eat dirt. They can prescribe medication for infections or thyroid issues, for example. If the cause is medical, your vet will treat it accordingly. You should follow their instructions closely and not punish your dog or yell because these can increase anxious or attention-seeking behavior. Professional behaviorists may be more suited to help dogs with pica than vets when the cause is psychological. There are several sprays available on the market - as well as homemade sprays - that can deter dogs from eating non-food items. Herbal remedies can also help calm some anxiety.ĭoggy daycare may help with socialization and further prevent boredom or anxiety if no one is home during the day.ĭurable chew toys can divert attention from objects that dogs may want to ingest. Having a puppy is like having a toddler! If your puppy doesn’t grow out of this, that is when I would think about going to the vet to make sure he is not harboring something more serious.The treatment for pica in dogs depends on whether the condition is psychological or caused by an underlying medical condition.įor psychological behavior issues, increasing physical and mental stimulation with exercise can reduce boredom and stress. If you have a puppy, it is normal for puppies to find things to chew on that they aren’t supposed to. Related ►► Help! Why Is My Dog Chewing His Fur? If he is off leash in your yard, maybe take a sweep of your yard and gather all the loose rocks you can find (maybe you can start a collection!) Obviously you can’t go around picking up all the rocks you come across (unless of course you collect them) but you can watch your dog and limit his exposure to rocks and other objects he may chew that he shouldn’t. Let’s not even mention he could choke! Limit the rocks: If he ingests one (and you may not even notice it), he could end up having intestinal blockage or diarrhea and vomiting. If you have a dog chewing rocks, he can cause more damage than just his teeth and soft tissue in his mouth. These include: Abdominal pain Bad breath Choking Coughing Dental problems Diarrhea Difficulty defecating Drooling Fainting or collapsing Gastrointestinal blockage Hyperthyroidism Infection Lethargy Ulcers Vomiting. However, there are other symptoms to watch out for as well. Dealing with the issue of your dog chewing rocks: Rocks cause problems: The main symptom of Pica in dogs is eating non-food items, such as rocks. A vet visit is a must to rule out anything that could be underlying. He could have a nutritional deficiency, or even diabetes. It could be that your dog is trying to tell you something is wrong. Related: Best Hypoallergenic Dog Chew Toys for Your Pup’s Chompers Underlying medical issue: Put some aside and then rotate them to keep him interested. He may be telling you that you need to get him some new chew toys! And keep them rotated. He knows if he does it, he will get your attention, good or bad. Chewing on rocks might be one of those things. Sometimes dogs can act like kids, and do things they shouldn’t so they can get your attention. A visit to your vet will help in diagnosing if Pica is the issue or something else. Things such as rubber bands, wood, strings and rocks just to name a few. Pica is eating things that should not be eaten. ►► KONG Chew Resistant Heavy Duty Pillow Bed Review Why is My Dog Chewing Rocks? Pica: It turns out there could be a couple reasons why her dog preferred to chew on bricks. I didn’t have an answer then, but I wanted to find out! “Why do you think he does this? Is this some kind of deficiency?” she asked me. I asked her if he did that often, she said yes, and he went to take the brick away from him. I witnessed my friend’s dog pick up a brick one afternoon and continue to lay down and chew on it, like he would a bone.
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