Few dogs do eat anything. If you are dealing with your dog that eats anything as well as a puppy eating everything, don’t worry as you are not alone. Though this behavior can be stomach-turning to pet parents it is a natural scavenging behavior built-in in our canine companions. Puppies can be particularly keen on eating anything they find, it could be leaves, trash, stones, or even dead animals.
What do Dogs Eat & Why?
For both people as well as pets the term for eating non-edible items is known as Pica. Dogs that have pica have an almost compulsive urge to eat non-digestible items, for example, rocks, dirt, sticks, etc. It is believed that animals with pica may not be getting enough minerals or other nutrients. If you feel that your pup’s urge to munch on nonedible items could be a sign of pica, you should visit the vet for further clarification.
I have given below a few of the most common substances that our furry four-legged friends love to eat:
Grass
Dogs often nibble on grass, though some dogs do enjoy eating grass more than others. Provided that your puppy is otherwise healthy, eating grass is generally considered to be safe. Keeping in mind that the grass is not heavily coated in chemicals.
It is believed that dogs eat grass for a variety of reasons such as to introduce more fiber into their gastrointestinal tract, to relieve boredom, or they just simply to enjoy it. If your puppy happens to be eating an alarming amount of grass, contact your vet about ways to curb this grass-eating behavior.
Dirt
For some reason, eating dirt is a common behavior in puppies. Why dogs decide to eat dirt has no concrete answer. However, it is generally believed that it’s due in part to the different scents given off by different areas, for example, a field, forest floor, or the mulch pile. The reason could also be that eating dirt helps puppies to better understand the world around them. If your dog takes the odd taste of dirt there is, in the majority of instances, nothing to worry about.
Despite that, eating huge amounts of dirt can prove to be problematic since too much could clog up the dog’s digestive tract. If your dog loves to eat dirt, contact your vet about what might be causing this usual dirt-eating behavior and what can be done to stop it.
Rocks
The majority of dogs love to play with as well as eat rocks, however, beware as this can be a real health concern. Chewing rocks can lead to damage to teeth as well as the gums. Choking is a very serious hazard if your dog accidentally solves a big chunk of rock. If your dog is a teething puppy, try supplying it with lots of fun chewing toys, to make sure it does not get bored and get into the habit of chewing rocks.
If your adult dog is obsessed with rock-eating, the best idea is to head to the vet. Rock eating can be a symptom of boredom, or anxiety, or could be attention seeking. The veterinarian will be able to help you diagnose the cause of the dog’s behavior. The vet will also recommend some ways to curb the dog’s appetite for stones.
Poop
Pet parents are often extremely grossed out by their dog’s disgusting poop-eating habit, I was too, the one time I left Jiraiya unattended, and he tried to devour his shit. Why does my dog eat poop? It is a common question asked by almost every dog owner. Eating poop is so prevalent that it has the name ‘coprophagia.’ It may be due to a combination of behavioral, genetic, or even psychological factors.
Eating their poop is generally considered harmless for dogs, but it still doesn’t become less gross. However, eating the poop of other animals is a cause for concern. Parasites, viruses, and toxins can be transmitted.
A theory suggests that eating poop could be part of the dog’s innate scavenging tendencies. This poop-eating habit is developed as a survival tool for when food is scarce. This makes a lot of sense, when there is no food to be found a dog just can’t afford to be too picky about what it can eat.
A few physical reasons that dogs may eat poop include:
- Parasites
- Diets deficient in nutrients and calories
- Malabsorption syndromes
- Diabetes,
- Cushing’s
- Thyroid disease, and other conditions that can cause increased appetite
- Steroids and other medications
Some other factors that can lead to your dog poop eating:
- Isolation and boredom
- Restrictive confinement
- Anxiety
- Attention-seeking
- Inappropriate association with real food
What are the ways you can Curb Your puppy eating everything?
Regardless of what your dog enjoys eating, that it should not, there are a few things you can do to try and curb the habit:
- Clean the backyard frequently to remove any available rocks, poop, or other items, because if it isn’t there, your dog can’t eat them.
- Teach your dog commands like ‘drop it’ and ‘leave it.’ These commands are essential know-how for every dog.
- Increase the pup’s exercise and enrichment throughout the day, a tired and busy dog is less likely to nibble on things.
- Taking the dog to the vet for a full examination to look for signs of illness or to discuss solutions to behavioral issues such as anxiety is the best solution you are looking for.
- The veterinarian can give your dog a nose-to-tail examination to check for signs of illness and discuss the causes of your dog’s strange eating habits. They can then provide you with valuable advice on your dog’s nutritional as well as caloric requirements based on the size and breed.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and not medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet’s condition, please contact the vet.
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