Physical Issues That Cause Dogs To Eat Everything In Sight
Some common reasons that cause canines to eat whatever is in their path are vitamin or enzyme deficiencies, stress, dental problems or hunger. A visit to the veterinarian for blood tests can identify if your dog’s not getting all the nutrients she needs or if she has any dental issues. Quality dog food should contain all of the essential vitamins.
If your veterinarian determines that your dog is stressed, she can prescribe medication to relax him. Other strategies are providing training exercises to increase his confidence and using a natural solution like an essential oil product or a CBD Oil.
Pica is a condition in which dogs consume things that aren’t part of their normal diet. Their strong jaws enable them to chew up shoes, plastic toys, socks, dirt, rocks and other things that are not meant to be consumed. It’s a compulsive disorder that can cause serious problems.
An iron deficiency can cause Pica, so supplements can help. Play and exercise provide mental and physical stimulation to distract your pup from eating non-edibles if she’s getting enough iron in her diet.
Coprophagia, also known as eating poop, results from psychological, behavioural and genetic factors. It is somewhat common and completely repulsive. The good news is that your dog shouldn’t get sick from eating her own faeces. Unfortunately, other animals’ waste could possibly contain toxins, parasites or a virus.
Poop eating can be caused by illnesses like diabetes and Cushing’s Disease, parasites, medications, steroids, nutrient deficiency, thyroid disease or malabsorption syndromes. Other reasons include anxiety, wanting attention, boredom or confinement.
A veterinarian can rule out possible health problems. Solutions to anxiety are similar to stress-easing methods: training, playing, walking, showering her with attention and perhaps having a dog walker or friend visit your dog and take him outside if you’ll be out for a long time.
Deeply Rooted Instincts
Your pup’s ancestors had to eat whatever they could to survive. It could be in her DNA to devour anything that smells or appears slightly palatable (even if it’s repugnant to us). This may also be the case if your pooch was on her own for a while as a stray searching for food.
Boredom or Depression
Yes, that’s why you come home to find things in your house have been chewed on. If you don’t have an arsenal of things for your pup to play with when you’re out, you need to accumulate a collection of stimulating pieces for your dog. Chew toys, food-stuffed toys, snuffle mats, music and the telly can keep Rover amused and well-behaved. Your pooch may be calmed by music, DogTV or a human show. Treat dispensing toys provide hours of fun.
Bad Puppy Habits
Puppies teethe to relieve the pain of their teeth breaking through their gums, to explore the world by tasting their way through it and to figure out what’s edible by process of elimination. Most puppies grow out of that stage. Some dogs seem to have fond memories of gnawing on things and enjoy investigating and ingesting items they encounter.
Make sure you have doggy chew toys or bones available if your fur friend still likes to “teethe.”
SOLUTIONS
Eating random objects can cause a blockage or illness. Fortunately, there are many ways to outsmart and train your pup so that he won’t eat inappropriate things.
Clean Up Inside and Outside
Remove rocks, poop and other objects that your dog might eat in your backyard. In your home, make sure socks, small objects and other tasty-looking items are not left strewn about on your floor.
Bitter Apple Spray
Chew Deterrent Sprays will keep your dog’s mouth off chair legs, pillows and other household objects that she might otherwise want to nibble on.
Vet Check Up
Take Spot to the vet’s for an annual exam or whenever you suspect there might be a problem. Once you eliminate physical ailments, training and stimulation are the next steps.
“Drop It & Leave It” Commands
Drop It and Leave It are good to know. If your pup ignores the commands, a gentle correction with a choke collar will emphasize that he needs to drop and leave it. When he does drop or leave praise enthusiastically, pet, kiss and a little treat would be a yummy way to condition him to obey the command in the future.
Pre-Emptive Exercise & Stimulus
An entertained and tired dog is a well-behaved dog. A walk, a game of fetch, food puzzles and anything else that keeps her happy normally will result in post-entertainment calmness and a good nap.
Check In With A Video Camera
Some dog video cameras allow you to watch your dog, dispense a treat and offer two-way audio. You can view your pooch as well as reward and communicate with him.
Doggy Daycare
If you are at work or out of the house for long periods of time, you might want to enroll your dog in a doggy daycare program so she can have fun playing with other pups. You’ll feel better that he’s not alone while he’s partying with the other pups.
Dog Walker
Another option is hiring a dog walker to come by to take your pooch out if you’re not going to be home for hours. Even 15 or 20 minutes of attention and being able to relieve himself could make him feel better.
Crate You Fur Buddy
If Fifi just can’t stop chewing the sofa, you might consider crating her. Crating appeals to their cave-dwelling instinct, and a cage can be their happy place. A crate that doesn’t resemble a prison with a comfy bed, favourite toys and a water bowl is a nice setting for a nap.
Muzzle Up
If you just can’t stop your canine from quickly ingesting questionable objects, you could use a comfortable muzzle when you go on walks or to the park. It might seem extreme, but Fido won’t be able to sneak anything that could harm him. Their lightning-fast food grabs can be difficult to prevent or intercept.
Conclusion
Your dogs eat everything for a variety of reasons, and it’s wise to figure out what your dog’s motivation is so you can address the problem. Taking a walk together or letting her in the yard shouldn’t be nerve-wracking and potentially dangerous.
If it’s a behavioural issue and not a medical problem, removing outdoor and indoor temptations, training, leaving fun things to play with in your absence (if your possessions are being gulped up), a calming oil, stimulating walks and playtime are all good techniques for canines and particularly useful to stop your dog from eating everything because he’s bored or stressed.
