![]() ![]() If your pet is food oriented, consider changing her diet to allow her to eat more often, which could decrease the behavior.There are products on the market made specifically for this. Try to make the objects your pet is eating taste unpleasant.Using a crate, exercise pen or pet gate can be a simple and effective solution. Prevent your pet’s access to items either by removing them or by managing your pet’s access.Consult with your veterinarian and a veterinary behaviorist.Because pica can be potentially life- threatening, contact both your veterinarian and an animal behavior professional for help. In some instances, the items must be surgically removed. Pica can be a serious problem because items such as rubber bands, socks, rocks, and string can severely damage or block an animal’s intestines. A variety of specialized behavior modification techniques may be necessary to resolve the problem. Your vet can also provide guidance on how to resolve the issue.īecause the causes of pica and coprophagy are varied and not well understood, stopping the behavior may also require assistance from an animal behavior professional who works individually with you and your pet. If your pet has been ingesting non-food items, it is very important that you talk with your veterinarian first to rule out any medical issues. It’s also possible that dogs learn this behavior from other dogs. It could begin as play: the animal investigates and chews on the objects, and then subsequently begins to ingest them. ![]() The behavior may also stem from frustration or anxiety. If engaging in one of these behaviors results in some type of social interaction between the animal and his owner (even a verbal scolding), then the behavior may be reinforced and occur more frequently. Such behaviors may have evolved from attention-seeking behavior. The causes of pica and coprophagy are not clear. While not necessarily as dangerous, most people find this behavior unacceptable. A specific type of pica is stool eating (coprophagy) – either their own or that of another animal. Eating non-food items (pica) can produce life-threatening blockages in your pet’s intestines needing medical attention and surgery. Pica and Coprophagy: Pets who Eat Non-Food Itemsĭogs and cats will sometimes eat socks, rocks or other objects, which could result in a variety of problems for both you and your pet. Community Veterinary Hospital (Portland). ![]()
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