![]() ![]() Health problems are often the simplest to address. "And boredom will frequently cause dogs with high energy to seek out something to do." Treating and Preventing Pica in Dogsĭealing with pica may require two different approaches: addressing any underlying health or behavioral issues and if none are found, preventing the pica itself. "We typically think of dogs with separation anxiety as being destructive, but in some cases, they are also eating part or all of the items they are destroying," Black says. In addition, pica can also be triggered by emotional issues such as separation anxiety and stress. Carol Osborne of Chagrin Falls Pet Clinic in Ohio. In order to determine if an underlying medical issue is to blame, your vet might need to do blood, urine, stool, and other tests to check for improper digestion/malabsorption, the presence of parasites, and more, explains integrative veterinarian Dr. "Some breeds, such as Labrador Retrievers, are more prone to pica," Black adds. According to Black, anything from starvation or nutritional imbalances to hormonal imbalances and diseases such as diabetes and thyroid problems can all contribute to the condition. While identifying pica itself might not be difficult, figuring out what's causing it can be tricky. This is because pica isn't always connected to an underlying medical condition. "There may be abnormalities that can be detected in lab work if the condition is associated with other diseases, but not for pica itself," Black explains. Pica is generally diagnosed as a result of the behavior itself. "With coprophagia, it is thought that some dogs simply find the fecal material appealing and actually like the flavor, which makes it a particularly hard habit to break once they get started." Diagnosing Pica in Dogs "Fecal ingestion is most common in puppies, but often carries over into adult dogs as well," Black explains. Pica should not be confused with coprophagia, or the ingestion of feces. The dogs seem to see them as food items and will repeatedly eat the same type of item, even if it causes them to get really sick or require surgery." "I think some of the items are eaten simply due to the smells associated with them. "I once saw a practice hockey puck that was swallowed intact by a Labrador Retriever," she says. Other items you may observe your dog eating include rocks, children’s toys, batteries, books, magazines, and even wet wipes, Black says. "Towels and washcloths are also very common, as well as parts of dog beds if they have one." "Things like socks, underwear, and pantyhose seem to be more frequent than others," she says. Kelly Black, faculty coordinator of veterinary technology at Cedar Valley College in Lancaster, Texas. Pica can endanger a dog’s health because what they swallow may be toxic, disrupt normal digestive process, or get lodged in their intestinal tract.ĭogs with pica may eat anything from golf balls to drywall, but items that carry their owner’s scent tend to be a particular favorite, says Dr. Some dogs may only eat one type of object, while others will eat a wide variety of items. Pica is a condition in which dogs crave and eat non-food items. ![]()
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