Grass, toys, your favorite possessions, and even other pets’ feces - some dogs will eat anything. Are you concerned that your dog is eating things it shouldn’t?
Dogs That Eat Anything
Does your dog eat anything and everything? Rest assured that you’re not the only one; many exasperated pet owners come to our vets with the same concern.
While your dog’s behavior may turn your stomach, our canine companions are typically displaying a natural scavenging behavior when they ingest non-food items. This may be particularly common with puppies who have a born instinct to eat things they find, including anything from stones and leaves to the trash and dead animals.
What Dogs Eat & Why
Pica is the term used to describe when a person or a pet eats non-edible items. Dogs with pica experience an almost compulsive urge to eat non-digestible objects such as sticks, dirt, and rocks. It’s believed that animals with pica may be lacking essential minerals or other nutrients in their diet.
If you feel that your dog’s urge to eat non-edible items may be a sign of pica, book an appointment with your veterinarian.
Below are some of the most common substances that our dogs love to eat and additional insights into why your dog may keep eating it:
WHY DOGS EAT DIRT
Puppies commonly eat dirt. It is generally believed that this behavior is in part due to the different scents emanating from these areas, such as a forest floor, a pile of mulch, or the field behind your house. Eating dirt may also help puppies to better understand the world around them.
You likely don’t have anything to worry about if your puppy takes the occasional taste of dirt. Eating large amounts of dirt can result in problems for your dog’s digestive tract, so if you find your pup loves to eat dirt, we encourage you to talk to your vet. Your veterinarian can investigate what may be causing the behavior and provide resources on how you can prevent your dog from eating dirt.
WHY DOGS EAT GRASS
Some dogs enjoy the occasional taste of grass more than others. Provided your dog is otherwise healthy, it is generally considered safe for them to eat grass - provided the grass is not heavily coated with chemicals.
It’s believed that dogs will eat grass for numerous reasons, including enjoyment, getting more fiber into their gastrointestinal tract, and relieving boredom. Some dogs may eat a large amount of grass when feeling nauseous to help induce vomiting.
If you notice your dog is eating an unusual amount of grass or is showing obsessive tendencies towards grass-eating, discuss the issue with your veterinarian.
WHY DOGS EAT POOP
While it can be quite disgusting and embarrassing to watch your dog eating poop, this behavior is so common that it has its own term: ‘coprophagia’ (kop-ruh-fey-jee-uh).
If your dog only eats their own poop, there are few health risks, but the behavior should still be investigated by a veterinarian to ensure there are no underlying health triggers. Eating the poop of other animals or dogs is a cause for concern as toxins, viruses, and parasites can be transmitted via feces.
Coprophagia in dogs may be influenced by a combination of genetic, psychological, and behavioral factors. One theory suggests poop eating may be part of your dog’s innate scavenging tendencies, which your pup develops as a survival tool for times food may be in scarce supply.
Physical reasons that may trigger coprophagia in dogs include:
Cushing’s
Diabetes
Parasites
Diets deficient in calories and nutrients
Malabsorption syndromes
Steroids and other medications
Thyroid disease and other conditions that may lead to increased appetite
Other factors that can cause poop-eating in dogs include:
Whether your dog’s coprophagia is caused by a physical condition or psychological factor, the behavior should be brought to the attention of your veterinarian.
WHY DOGS EAT ROCKS
Many dogs love to play with and eat rocks, which can be a real health concern. Chewing rocks can lead to choking and/or long-term damage of the teeth and gums.
If your dog is a teething puppy, try giving them lots of fun chew toys as a safe replacement for the rocks.
If your adult dog is frequently eating rocks, we recommend booking a visit with your veterinarian. Rock eating could be a symptom of boredom, anxiety, or attention seeking. Your vet can help diagnose the cause of your dog's behavior and recommend some ways to curb your dog's appetite for stones.
How To Stop Your Dog's Unusual Eating Habits
Although strategies may vary based on what inedible objects your dog keeps eating, some of the following tips can be applied to most situations.
Clean your backyard frequently to remove any rocks, feces, or other debris. If it isn't there, your dog can't eat it.
Teach your dog to 'drop it' and 'leave it' on command. Try implementing the clicker training technique to aid in the learning process.
Increase your dog's exercise and enrichment throughout the day. Since boredom or isolation is a common trigger for dogs to eat items they shouldn’t, providing stimulating activities and extra attention can help minimize attention-seeking or anxiety-related behaviors.
Take your dog to the vet for a full examination. Your veterinarian will look for signs of illness, evaluate any nutritional imbalances, and can provide solutions for behavioral issues like anxiety.
If your dog is frequently eating non-food items, finding the underlying cause is the essential first step. Book an appointment with your veterinarian to investigate your dog’s eating habits. Once the root of your dog’s coprophagia or other pica behaviors has been identified, you and your vet can work together to create actionable and lasting solutions.
