Pica Disease in Dogs

Pica is a condition in dogs in which they feel compelled to chew or consume non-food particles or items. Though Pica might seem harmless, it can be due to severe underlying causes or can develop into dangerous issues.

You might have also observed your dog continuously chewing a ball or eating rocks and wondered about their weird obsession. Well, now you know - it might be Pica.

How do you detect Pica?

Apart from the regular chewing of random inedible objects, you can notice a few other symptoms as well, which might have also been caused after the accidental ingestion of those objects. Observe your dog for any signs of these symptoms.

Common symptoms of Pica include,

●       Constant burping, coughing, and choking

●       Diarrhea or constipation

●       Lack of appetite or vomiting

●       Anxiety or stress

●       Social withdrawal

●       Lethargy 

Causes of Pica

Pica can arise due to either psychological or medical causes.

Medical causes related to digestion and the gastrointestinal tract, nutritional deficiencies, anemia, or stomach tumors can cause Pica.

Dogs are also vulnerable to emotional or mental disturbances which can mostly be traced back to negligence from the dog parent. In the case of stress, depression, or even anxiety, dogs tend to chew and swallow inedible items. They might show signs of withdrawal or excessive attention-seeking behavior. This usually happens when you don’t give your dog the required love and company.

Can it be treated?

Yes of course. Pica can be treated effectively if detected early and can be quite challenging later on.

Medical causes of Pica call for medical attention and it will be taken care of by your vet. You might need to make some dietary changes.

In the case of psychological reasons, your dog might need drugs or behavior therapy. But mostly, it can be solved by you spending more time together. In case you are constantly busy, make sure you find other ways of keeping your dog occupied by trying a dog sitter or daycare.

Pica can turn very serious if your dog ingests an item that gets lodged in its respiratory or digestive tracts. It will require surgery and may also lead to choking. So don’t overlook your dog’s chewing habit and seek help immediately.