![]() ![]() It usually begins in puppies and young dogs. ![]() Although emetic properties of grass or an association with dietary insufficiency are not proven, a relationship between grass eating and gastro-intestinal disorders is thought to be possible. It is an innate behavior however it improves through learning and is facilitated by observation of the mother. Grass eating is a normal behavior, thought to act as a mechanical mean of expelling of parasites.Compulsive type of pica may originate from emotional conflict in predisposed animals and may be involuntarily reinforced by owners (when trying to stop the behavior) emotional conflict associated with punishment may also worsen it.Can raise from anxiety manifested through destructive chewing and subsequent ingestion of items.Can originate from play, exploratory behavior, or lack of appropriate substrates to chew and become a habitual behavior through learning and repetition.Coprophagia may be associated with normal disease regulating behavior.Disease-induced malabsorption Malabsorption.Large breeds without adequate activity and social interaction.Young dogs lacking more appropriate items to be explored or to play with (eg in case of prolonged confinement, lack of exercise).Neutering Castration Ovariohysterectomy.In the case of underlying stress (eg anxiety), it can be a coping mechanism, necessary for the dog.It may be a compulsive disorder itself or an evolution of other compulsive disorders Stereotype behavior, ie fabric sucking behavior.It may originate from stealing behavior and attempts to prevent the owner from retrieving the object.Lack of more appropriate or attractive items to which play or exploratory behaviors can be driven.May initially depend on increased appetite.Without enough stimulation, they’re bound to grow listless and more likely to start eating things they ideally shouldn’t. Try to devote more quality time to your pet and hopefully you should see some changes.Ī happy day for pets includes quality time with their human, where they play and stay engaged and connected with you. Neglected pets will have a tendency to develop this condition. Try planning a new diet for them with the help of a pet nutritionist for better guidance and watch out for any resulting changes. Once you’ve started the treatment, you cannot expect your pets to stop eating non-edible objects right away, can you? It means that for a while, you’ll have to pay closer attention to what your furry friends put into their mouths and stop them immediately when they’re eating something they shouldn’t be.Īs we’ve discussed in the last section, lack of proper nutrition could also cause Pica in your pets. ![]() You might even have to consult an animal behaviorist if the problem is psychological or behavioral. It’s best to book an appointment with your vet to figure that out and plan a treatment accordingly. The first step towards solving any problem for your pets is figuring out the cause and for this you will need a vet’s help. Here are some major medical problems in cats and dogs that could result in Pica: In many cases of Pica, vets have observed how infected dogs and cats suffer from deeper issues that form the root of this disorder. Lastly, not exercising enough is another reason why your pet (especially dogs) might develop Pica. When pet parents are unable to dedicate quality time to their pets they become bored, lazy, lonely, and stressed which fosters a habit of chewing on non-edible things. While Pica might seem like a purely physical problem on the surface, when you dig deeper, you might find a few psychological driving factors. If you’re not feeding your pets a balanced diet that meets their nutritional requirements, they tend to gain these nutrients from elsewhere and end up suffering from Pica. Whether your pet is a canine or a feline, the causes of Pica are more or less the same. Pica disorder in Dogs: What are the symptoms? Here are some other Pica symptoms you might notice in your cat:ĭistracted, appearing wound up, and relaxing only when they have something non-edible in their mouth. When they start chewing and swallowing these objects you should know it’s getting serious. In the initial stages of Pica, cats will only lick and suck on non-edible items. However, if they’re older than six months and still cling to those tendencies, it’s cause for concern. If your little kitty is younger than 3-4 months, you can consider this normal, as many kittens outgrow these tendencies as they grow older. If your cat is an Oriental breed, they might go for things made of fabric. The first and most obvious symptom of Pica is a tendency to eat non-edible items like cat litter, plants, rubber bands, shoelaces, electrical cords, and other objects made of paper, plastic, and wool. Among cats, this disorder is most commonly known to affect the Tonkinese cats, Burmese cats, Siamese cats, and other Oriental breeds.
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