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Dogs tend to eat things that are not part of their usual diet, commonly their own or another animal’s feces. This behavior is relatively normal, especially for young dogs.
However, dogs that regularly crave and consume non-food, inedible materials may be suffering from pica. For example, if your dog has swallowed a stone, that does not mean they suffer from pica, but if they do this regularly, it would be best to take your pet to the vet for an evaluation. Stones and wood are common materials that dogs with pica will consume.
Eating stones or other foreign objects can be dangerous not only for the teeth and soft tissues of your dog’s mouth, but also for their digestive system. Ingesting stones or other non-edible items can lead to intestinal obstruction, vomiting, diarrhea, or even suffocation (if the item is large enough to get stuck in your dog’s throat).
What Is Pica?
Pica is the compulsive ingestion of inedible substances or items, such as earth, chalk, paper, sand, stones, wood, rubber, clothing items (underwear and socks)1, washcloths, towels, bedding, balls, children’s toys, batteries, etc. It has been observed that dogs prefer objects that have their owner’s scent.
The causes of pica are broad—from a nutritional deficiency to a compulsive disorder caused by anxiety and bad habits developed during teething2. Pica can also be a sign of other diseases, such as anemia.
The name of the condition comes from the Latin scientific name of the magpie (Pica pica)3, a bird known for being able to eat almost anything. This medical condition can endanger your pet’s health and life because they can consume toxic substances, choke on large objects, or swallow objects that can get stuck in the intestine.
Some dogs with pica are known to eat feces, but pica should not be confused with the ingestion of feces (coprophagia). Some dogs are attracted to the scent and taste of their own or other animals’ feces, so they will consume them.
What Are the Signs of Pica in Dogs?
The most common and obvious clinical sign is the consumption of inedible substances or items. Your dog may only repeatedly consume the same substance or item, or they may not have a particular preference. Other signs of pica will be related to the impact of inedible food products that are ingested. They can occur as a result of toxic or poisonous content bacterial contamination or overgrowth from the non-food products that the dog consumes.
Dogs can also show other clinical signs secondary to the presence of foreign objects in their digestive tract. These can cause gastric ulcers, gastrointestinal irritation, and/or intestinal blockage. The signs associated with pica include:
- Lethargy
- Dental problems (tooth decay and even broken teeth)
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Bad breath
- Stomachache
- Straining during defecation
- No bowel movements
- Dark, bloody stools
- Excessive salivation
- Burping
- Abdominal pain and contractions
- Nutritional deficiencies
What Are the Causes of Pica in Dogs?
The causes of pica in dogs can be medical or behavioral. Chewing stones or similar items can represent a dog’s way of dealing with anxiety. They may also crave attention or are trying to make themselves noticed by their owner. The behavioral causes of pica in dogs include the following:
- Boredom (lack of stimulation or exercise)
- Attention-seeking
- Anxiety or stress
- Lack of socialization
- Depression
- Frustration
Disorders of the intestinal tract, deficiency in certain vital nutrients, anemia, or diabetes can also be the basis of this eating behavior. The medical causes of pica in dogs include:
- Anemia (iron deficiency anemia or immune-mediated hemolytic anemia)
- Intestinal parasites (hookworms [Ancylostoma spp.] and roundworms [Toxascaris leonina])
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Unbalanced diet
- Diabetes mellitus
- Hyperthyroidism
- Stomach cancer
- Malnutrition
- Musculoskeletal pain
Also, certain prescription drugs, such as corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone) and anticonvulsants (e.g., phenobarbital), can lead to pica in dogs.
If you suspect that your dog is suffering from pica, you’ll need to rule out possible medical causes via a clinical examination by your veterinarian. If your dog’s pica is a behavioral problem, you and your veterinarian can come up with a plan to resolve it.
How Do I Care for a Dog With Pica?
If the vet has determined that a medical condition is the reason for your dog’s pica, follow their treatment and advice. If the cause of pica is behavioral, here is what you can do and what measures you can take to help your dog:
- Keep enough toys around for your dog to chew, and rotate them every few days. For example, you can give your dog two to three toys to play with and keep the others hidden. After a few days, switch them out. In this way, you can prevent boredom as it will seem to your dog that they always have new toys.
- Make sure your dog does not have access to any inedible objects that they can chew and ingest.
- Enrich your dog’s environment and stimulate them mentally with games, frequent walks, and food puzzles. Don’t give them the opportunity to get bored.
- Use a muzzle if your dog has a habit of eating things off the ground when they are in the yard or out for a walk.
- Always keep your dog on a leash when you need to prevent them from consuming dangerous and inappropriate items. If your dog runs freely in the yard, consider removing stones and other dangerous items, or keep them under supervision.
- Do not scold your dog, splash them with water, scare them with loud noises, etc. when they pick up an inedible item. Instead, praise them when they let go of the respective object. Stopping this behavior is difficult and cannot be achieved by scolding your dog. It can actually “reward” this behavior, especially if your pet is just trying to get your attention. Moreover, scolding your dog after they consume an inedible item is not useful because they will not associate it with their behavior.
- Teach your dog the “drop it” command.
- Analyze your schedule. If your dog spends most of their time alone, it will help them if you can spend more time in their company. Otherwise, you might need to find a sitter or enlist them in doggie daycare.
- Exercise with your dog. Running, swimming, and doing other physical activities that can tire your dog will make them happy, and they won’t feel the urge to eat inedible things. Most dogs need at least 1 hour of exercise a day, and hunting and herding dogs need even more.
- Try bitter sprays for veterinary use to discourage your dog from eating various items.
- The veterinarian can prescribe medication for your dog to help with anxiety and stress.
- If necessary, you can also contact an animal behaviorist.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Dog Breeds Are Prone to Pica?
Pica can occur in any dog breed, especially in puppies. That said, highly active breeds are more prone to developing pica than others, such as the Labrador Retriever and the Doberman. .
What Are the Risks of Pica in Dogs?
This behavior is risky for your dog’s health because inedible substances/items may not be able to pass through the gastrointestinal tract. For example, stones, socks, underwear, or cloths can cause complete blockage of the intestines, and removal of these objects can only be done by endoscopy or surgery. In addition, hard items can damage your dog’s oral cavity and teeth.
Why Does My Dog Constantly Lick Everything?
Dogs can start licking surrounding objects or people for different reasons. Many times, it’s due to boredom or because something is particularly tasty, but for some dogs, excessive licking can be a compulsive behavior that helps them calm down. This compulsion is a self-stimulating activity that can occur as a result of anxiety, stress, or discomfort.
Summary
Pica in dogs is fairly common and can occur in any breed. However, highly active breeds like Labrador Retrievers are more prone to it, especially if their needs are not met. The causes of pica in dogs can be medical or behavioral. Medical causes usually include anemia and nutritional deficiencies. If your dog’s pica is secondary to a medical condition, treating the disorder can help resolve the issue.
When pica is caused by behavioral problems, your vet and an animal behaviorist can help your dog get better. Things that you can do to help your dog include spending more time with them, playing and walking with them, and giving them food puzzles.
Featured Image Credit: Gorloff-KV, Shutterstock
