![]() ![]() The symptoms simply include a history of eating objects not meant to be ingested. Pica is not an abnormality of the digestive system, or a nutritional problem, but a psychological abnormality. Examples include an appetite for wood, sand, metal, stones, rubber etc. Then, follow the treatment plan your vet provides to help your dog overcome it.‘Pica’ is a term describing a condition when a dog regularly eats objects not considered a part of the normal diet. The best thing you can do if you suspect your dog has pica is to take note of everything and take them to the vet as soon as possible. Pica can be dangerous to your dog and is often a symptom of a more serious underlying issue. With time, effort, and sometimes help from a professional dog trainer or behaviorist, your dog can recover successfully. Behavior issues will take some time to correct. Regardless of the treatment, follow-up visits to the vet will be a part of recovery, especially if your dog had to have surgery. Recovery will vary along with the treatment plan. If there is a blockage, your dog will need surgery. If it is due to underlying medical condition, there will be a treatment plan for that specific medical condition and likely a new dietary plan as well. If it is a behavioral issue, your vet may recommend more attention, more physical activity, techniques and training to help correct the behavior, and more. Treatment plans vary depending on whether your dog’s pica is a behavior or due to a medical condition. When your dog has been diagnosed with pica, it will be necessary to get it treated. This will include a physical exam and may also include blood work, x-rays, urine tests, and other tests to help rule out other diseases. Any information you can provide about your dog’s diet, appetite and thirst levels, bowel movements, general behavior, and activity level will help your vet as they review your dog’s medical history. The first step towards a pica diagnosis is a visit to the vet. Corticosteroids and anti-seizure medications are the most common culprits in this case. Pica can also be the result of increased appetite caused by prescribed medications for your dog. These include conditions like anemia, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, stomach tumors, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, more serious medical issues can also result in pica. Malnutrition, an unbalanced diet, hookworms, or other intestinal parasites are the most common causes in this category. Other medical conditions can cause an increased appetite that results in pica. Pica can also be a reaction due to lack of attention, boredom, frustration, or lack of socialization. It can be caused by a behavioral disorder like anxiety, stress, or depression. Pica shows itself as a behavior problem in dogs, but the causes of it vary. These could be symptoms of something else, but you’ll still want to take your dog to the vet for an examination and treatment. Pica can also cause blockages in your dog’s digestive tract, which can result in constipation, dark stools, excessive drooling, burping, and stomach contractions. They might just be sick or have dental issues, but these are also signs of ingesting a potentially toxic non-food item. ![]() If your dog is experiencing vomiting, diarrhea, chronic bad breath, or consistently loose stool, you will want to take your dog to the vet. You may not see much evidence of your dog actually ingesting non-food items, but you might see the consequences. If you observe your dog doing this, then it’s a good idea to get them to the vet and let them know you suspect pica. One of the biggest symptoms of pica in dogs is eating non-food items. It’s important to take your dog to the vet if you notice your dog is eating non-food items. However, if your dog is an adult and is not nursing, it could be a sign of pica. Eating their puppies’ feces is a natural behavior for a nursing dog. It can also include feces, which is called coprophagy. Common items ingested can be rocks, glass, hair, dirt, paper, drywall, metal, mulch, chalk, cloth, and more. A compulsion to eat non-food items can cause your dog to eat toxic items or items that will severely damage your dog’s internal organs. It tends to be more common in females, but can occur in any dog.Īlthough it may sound like a goofy behavior issue, pica can cause serious health problems. Once or twice could be considered a mistake or a singular instance. It occurs in humans as a psychological disorder and also occurs in other species, including dogs. Pica is a compulsive behavior problem and a medical issue that refers to the craving and eating non-food items. Here’s what to know about pica in dogs: What is Pica? Pica is something every dog owner should be aware of. Sometimes your dog is just being a goofball and sometimes it can be an underlying medical issue. Dogs can exhibit some odd behavior at times. ![]()
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