Eating Disorder of Dogs – Crazy Cuisine
By Elizabeth L DeLomba DVM
Most dogs are discriminating about what they eat. Some pets, however, have the peculiarity of consuming all kinds of interesting and inedible things, from plastic G.I. Joe men to plumbing supplies. Pica is the ingestion of these non-nutritive, inappropriate objects. While it is normal for puppies to orally sample their environment, actually consuming foreign objects is not normal.
Puppies are just like small children: everything goes into their mouths. Sometimes in the process of investigating the objects in from of them, they actually swallow some. Often, these items will pass right through the gastrointestinal tract, but others will need to be surgically removed. One common danger with pica is the chewing of electrical cords, which can cause severe burns in the mouth, not to mention electrocution.
Pica in adult animals is a little different. These dogs are often very focused on obtaining their preferred substrate, frequently ignoring other activities in favour of the aberrant behaviour. Some animal behaviourists feel that this type of behavior may be a manifestation of obsessive compulsive disorder.
There are serious medical complications to pica in adult canines. For example, some dogs will chew rocks until they wear down their teeth, leading to pain and possible infection.
Dogs that swallow objects frequently require multiple surgeries to remove the offending materials. Some commonly consumed items include fabric, sticks, stones, earrings, plastic, eyeglasses. Ask your veterinarian to share with your some of the interesting things that they have removed from dogs stomachs. I personally have removed a drill bit, plastic army men, telephone cord and a pair of leopard patterned briefs....just to name a few.
Pets that consume objects such as coins or plumbing supplies are at further risk of problems. Not only are these objects foreign bodies, but they can also cause complications when the acid in the animal’s stomach degrades the objects compounds, such as zinc or lead, both of which are toxic.
Perhaps the best way to prevent pica is to avoid situation in which dogs have access to foreign objects. To keep dogs from consuming fabric, make sure you don’t leave clothing lying around and ensure that closet doors and hampers are fastened securely. Taking your dog for walks on a leash and not allowing them to run free in the yard permits you to monitor closely and discourage chewing on rocks or mulch.
Above all else, keep puppies way from electrical cords by hiding them it protective coverings or treating them with bitter-tasting compounds. It may help to provide your pet with suitable chew toys, although some dogs are so determined to eat what they shouldn’t that only a muzzle will stop them from ingesting the objects.
If avoidance is not possible, you might consult with your veterinarian about alternative solutions, including behavior modification therapy and possible medication.
Puppies are just like small children: everything goes into their mouths. Sometimes in the process of investigating the objects in from of them, they actually swallow some. Often, these items will pass right through the gastrointestinal tract, but others will need to be surgically removed. One common danger with pica is the chewing of electrical cords, which can cause severe burns in the mouth, not to mention electrocution.
Pica in adult animals is a little different. These dogs are often very focused on obtaining their preferred substrate, frequently ignoring other activities in favour of the aberrant behaviour. Some animal behaviourists feel that this type of behavior may be a manifestation of obsessive compulsive disorder.
There are serious medical complications to pica in adult canines. For example, some dogs will chew rocks until they wear down their teeth, leading to pain and possible infection.
Dogs that swallow objects frequently require multiple surgeries to remove the offending materials. Some commonly consumed items include fabric, sticks, stones, earrings, plastic, eyeglasses. Ask your veterinarian to share with your some of the interesting things that they have removed from dogs stomachs. I personally have removed a drill bit, plastic army men, telephone cord and a pair of leopard patterned briefs....just to name a few.
Pets that consume objects such as coins or plumbing supplies are at further risk of problems. Not only are these objects foreign bodies, but they can also cause complications when the acid in the animal’s stomach degrades the objects compounds, such as zinc or lead, both of which are toxic.
Perhaps the best way to prevent pica is to avoid situation in which dogs have access to foreign objects. To keep dogs from consuming fabric, make sure you don’t leave clothing lying around and ensure that closet doors and hampers are fastened securely. Taking your dog for walks on a leash and not allowing them to run free in the yard permits you to monitor closely and discourage chewing on rocks or mulch.
Above all else, keep puppies way from electrical cords by hiding them it protective coverings or treating them with bitter-tasting compounds. It may help to provide your pet with suitable chew toys, although some dogs are so determined to eat what they shouldn’t that only a muzzle will stop them from ingesting the objects.
If avoidance is not possible, you might consult with your veterinarian about alternative solutions, including behavior modification therapy and possible medication.
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