If it's not food, why do they eat it?
In some cases, the answer is pica. Pica is a relatively common disorder that causes dogs to eat things that are not food, such as socks, shoes, or toys.
This is not the same as a dog chewing on something for attention or because of teething, it is more of an obsessive desire to eat objects (like sand, rocks, sticks, etc.), often with nutrients that might be missing from their diet.
Pica not only destroys your favorite belongings, but many of the things your dog eats can be dangerous to consume and lead to an obstruction of the intestines, which would result in emergency surgery to save your dog's life.
If you feel that your dog might be displaying symptoms of pica, call to make an appointment with your vet.
Puppies
Puppies learn about their world through discovery, and without hands to do that, a puppy uses its mouth to investigate. So if your young puppy is chewing on non-food items such as shoes or furniture, it could just be that they are learning what is around them!
Unfortunately, a common non-food item that puppies will try to eat is feces, especially from a cat's litter box. Not only is this unappealing, but it can also cause your puppy to become sick as the feces may have parasites.
Thankfully, many puppies will outgrow this unhealthy and somewhat disgusting habit, although you may need to help with training to curb this behavior.
Adult Dogs
It seems like many adult dogs will eat everything they come across off the ground while out on a walk or whatever may be lying around the house.
Like puppies, they like to explore new items by picking them up with their mouth or chewing on them. Sometimes a dog may only be trying to play with something, and accidentally swallow it.
It's important to discourage this behaviour in your dog by telling them "no" when they try to eat random objects, particularly trash outside.
Possible Reasons
Aside from pica, there are other reasons your dog may be eating non-food items. Some possibilities include:
- Boredom
- Loneliness
- Attention-seeking behavior
- Stress or anxiety
- Old habits from puppyhood
- Health reasons
The good news is that many of the causes can be addressed through behavioral training.
What should I do?
While training may be a solution, there are ways to try to curb the behavior yourself.
- If your dog is bored, try to find more time in your day to spend with them, and include fun, interactive toys
- Always remove any dangerous objects from reach, in case they don't respond to training
- Do not give your dog attention if they're behaving badly as it can reinforce the behavior
- You can try spraying the items your dog typically tries to eat with a dog repellent spray, you'll need to be sure that it's non-toxic and intended for this purpose
- If the cause for constant chewing or eating non-foods is due to stress or anxiety, your vet may recommend drug therapy if nothing else will work
- If the behavior happens on walks, you may want to use a muzzle to restrict them from eating whatever they come across
Should I be concerned?
If you suspect pica or other medical condition to be at the root of the issue, it's important to talk to your vet to resolve it. However, if it is more of a behavioral action, it's most likely something you can correct with some time and love.
Regardless of the motivation though, the important thing is ensuring the health of your dog and to keep dangerous objects out of their reach.
Signs That Your Dog Has Eaten Too Much
If people overeat, they can undergo bloating, built-up gas or feel uncomfortable until it resolves itself, with little damage done.
Dogs, however, experience something referred to as canine bloat if they eat too much or too quickly. This results in a build-up of gasses and a twisting of a dog's stomach. Within hours, canine bloat can lead to death for many dogs.
If you notice any of the following symptoms, you should bring your dog to our emergency clinic immediately:
- Pacing or whining
- Shallow breathing
- Anxiety
- The stomach appears distended or enlarged
- Inability to get comfortable
- Won't lie on their side
- Unable to defecate
- Change in the color of their gums (dark red, blue, white, and cold)
- Trying to lick the air
How to Prevent Canine Bloat
If you find that your dog won't stop eating, try these tips to slow them down and prevent canine bloat:
- Feed smaller, more frequent meals
- Use a slow feeder bowl to restrict quick feedings
- Always separate your dogs at feeding time if you have more than one
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.