Pica in dogs: what is this eating disorder?

Pica in dogs: what is this eating disorder? If you find that your dog is ingesting anything, such as paper, dirt or fabric, it may be pica. This eating disorder can have multiple causes and pose risks to the health of your pet. What are the origins? How to detect the symptoms? How to act? Discover the answers to all your questions.

What is pica?

Pica is a eating disorder that is characterized by the fact that the dog ingests all kinds of substances that should not be eaten and that are not nutritious. Thus, the dog can start to swallow plastic, pieces of cloth, paper, sand, earth, pebbles, wood, etc. The ingestion of excrements is also a particular form of pica which is called coprophagia, but whose treatment differs.

What are the causes of pica?

The pica in dogs can have several origins, here are the most common:

• Digestive disorder: Your dog may suffer from a digestive problem that causes him to swallow everything that comes within his reach to try to relieve or to induce vomiting. It can be an inflammation of the stomach or intestines, a parasite or internal bacteria, a foreign body swallowed and stuck in his stomach, or for example a pancreas disease.
• Food deficiency: if your dog does not eat quality food, he may develop deficiencies, especially iron. This deficiency results in a form of anemia and a slow exhaustion of the body.
• Stress, anxiety or boredom: the dog who lives alone all day when his teachers go to work tends to be bored and to feel stress. It lacks stimulation and seeks to focus or attract attention by swallowing anything within reach.
• Disease: some diseases cause the dog to ingest anything, such as diabetes, some forms of cancer or Cushing's disease.
• Age: an older dog can develop some pathological disorders, including pica. This is an effect a sign of senility.
• Life Learning: Young puppies learn to grow and discover the world through an oral phase. They ingest everything and anything to understand what surrounds them. It is therefore normal for a young puppy to go through this stage, but it is necessary to be vigilant so that the animal does not ingest a dangerous substance. The mother's education helps to come to an end, but the habit sometimes persists.

What are the risks for a dog with pica?

Of course, a dog that ingests everything and anything can be exposed to significant risks to his health. These risks differ depending on what is swallowed:

• The dog risks digestive disorders : it can irritate the digestive tract, vomit, have diarrhea, it can be a digestive occlusion, trigger peritonitis or perforate a digestive organ such as the esophagus, stomach or the intestine.
• The dog may ingest parasites : when the dog eats grass, soil or sand, he can swallow many parasites and bacteria that will develop in his body.
• The dog may prematurely wear teeth : by ingesting certain objects, the dog can damage the enamel of his teeth, injure his gums or tongue or even break some teeth.
• The dog risks poisoning : the dog can ingest toxic products, treated plants or drugs that may poison him.

What are the symptoms of pica?

A dog with pica will tend to swallow any object within reach, be it earth, wood, sand, grass, fabric, plastic or even plants. If he eats his excrement, it is called coprophagia. This disorder may be associated with the pica in its overall form, or be practiced alone by the animal. In any case, coprophagia is different and requires appropriate treatment.

Pica is only mentioned when this eating disorder is lasting and when the animal ingests the objects; indeed, some are content only to play with or put them in pieces, which is not the pica, but a game or a wish for destruction.

Diagnosis is difficult, especially when teachers work all day and have little time to devote to their animals. It is indeed not obvious to find that objects were ingested in your absence. However, if you have any doubt, it is advisable to consult the veterinarian.

The specialist will seek to understand the origin of the disorder by asking you questions about your pet's experience, his daily life, any changes in his routine, etc. If nothing suggests a psychological disorder, he will turn to medical tracks, because the presence of a parasite, a disease or an internal injury can be the cause. Identifying the origin of the disorder is important to relieve it and to put in place a suitable treatment.

How to overcome?

To better understand the origin of pica, the veterinarian will learn about certain elements:

• The feeding of your animal: is it balanced, sufficient in quantity and quality?
• The care of your dog: is it vermifuged properly and regularly?
• Your pet's daily life: Is he often alone? Does he regularly go for a walk? Do you play with him?
• The psychological state of your dog : seems stressed? Is he depressed?

Depending on the animal's response and health status, the veterinarian may perform several tests for parasites, signs of inflammation or potentially dangerous foreign bodies. This may include a blood test, stool analysis, digestive endoscopy, ultrasound, etc.

Depending on the results of the examinations, several solutions are possible:

• The surgery, if a dangerous object should be disposed of his body, if a disease was revealed by pica or if damage is ascertainable on certain organs.
• A pest control if a bacteria or parasites are involved.
• A behavioral therapy, if no physical disorder is noticeable.

Do not wait to consult the veterinarian, as ingestion of certain items can be a real danger to your dog.

Can we prevent the appearance of pica in dogs?

Several solutions are possible to avoid the pica in your dog or to relieve it if it is affected:

• Deworm regularly, once a month until 6 months, and then 2 to 4 times a year thereafter.
• Give him a diet of quality, balanced and well dosed to avoid lack. If your pet has a sensitive digestive system, choose adapted croquettes.
• Watch your pet so that he does not enter a dangerous object.
• At home, do not leave a dangerous product within reach, especially when you are away.
• When you take it out, keep it on a leash as much as possible and watch for it so that it does not ingest anything.
• Educate him well so that he understands the "no", "loose" or "give". It is important for your dog to know what he should not touch.
• Leave him games and bones to chew so he does not get bored and takes care of himself.
• Give yourself time when you're at home: take it out, play it, stroke it, so you reduce the risk of depression or stress.