Is your puppy eating dirt? Or does your dog eat feces or even rocks? Consuming non-food items can be dangerous for pets, but dog or puppy training can help put a stop to this behavior! Looking for dog training, potty training, or group training near you? At Little Paws of Hope, Ltd, we provide socialization and obedience training for pets in Long Island, including Syosset, Westbury, and Plainview. We would like to help you understand pica eating disorders better so you can get your pet the right help!
Does My Dog Have Pica Symptoms?
Catching your pet eating something that isn’t food is an obvious sign, but other symptoms can also occur with pica. Consuming non-food objects can cause health issues, such as the following:
- Diarrhea and/or vomiting
- Foul breath
- Bloating in the stomach
- Bowel straining
- Tooth damage
- Poor appetite
- Behavioral changes
What Do Dogs with Pica Eat?
You may be surprised at what some dogs will eat. Dogs with pica might eat clothing items, garbage, plastic, or other materials and objects. This is what makes this condition potentially dangerous for your pet.
What Problems Can Pica Cause?
Your pet might consume a large object that ends up blocking their intestines. This can lead to a life-threatening emergency that might even require surgery. But pica can cause other dangers as well. Dogs might eat objects that are choking hazards, or they might eat something that is toxic or makes them ill. That’s why addressing this condition is so important!
Why Do Dogs Have Pica?
Pica can happen for medical reasons or behavioral ones. Underlying health conditions that can cause pica may include:
- Anemia
- Diabetes
- Cancers
- Malnutrition
- Liver disease
However, behavioral problems might be the reason your dog eats non-food items. These can include the following:
- Lack of stimulation
- High energy levels
- Compulsive behavior
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Separation anxiety
How Is Pica Treated?
If pica is due to an underlying medical condition, treating that condition should stop this behavior. But what if it’s from a behavioral issue?
Your dog may need behavior modification and dog or puppy training to help:
- Increase stimulation
- Redirect attention from non-food items
- Reduce anxiety or depression
- Treat separation anxiety
Find Dependable Dog Training in Westbury, NY
Need obedience training to help a pet? We’d love to help! Call (917) 519-5708 to reach Little Paws of Hope, LTD. We offer socialization, potty training, group training, and more in New York, including Syosset, Plainview, and Westbury.