Why does my dog eat that?
PET BULLETIN
‘Mews and Yips’ from the Central Aroostook Humane Society
By Mandy McQueen
Have you ever glanced over at your loving pooch and wondered, “WHY in the world did you just eat that?”
Sometimes we sit back and ponder what is so appealing about the litter box, or why the yard is peppered with socks and undergarments, and just where did that box of crayons go that I just bought? I have had to ask myself all of these questions and more as I try to understand my sweet little rescued Corgi mix, Zuki. Zuki is the sweetest dog you could ever meet, truly. He is smart, gentle and obedient, everything a pet parent could want in a dog … except he eats everything!
Occasionally, dogs are known to munch on a bit of dirt, or chew on a seemingly random household object, which may not harm them. However, if your dog makes a habit out of eating items that are not food, it is very important to take notice and work with your dog to understand and break the habit, because it poses a real danger to his health and can even be deadly.
Although we can never truly know the exact reason our dogs are eating non-food items, there are two major reasons that are likely to cause it. Your dog may be teething. If your dog is still young, be sure to provide lots of things for him to chew on to alleviate the discomfort of teething. If your young dog starts chewing on things other than what you’ve provided, first tell him “no,” then to “drop it,” and then replace the item with one of the chew toys.
The second major reason your dog may be eating objects other than food, is boredom. Use the same method of redirection when you catch him eating something he shouldn’t be, but also try increased exercise, new toys, and visits with a puppy friend, or even a doggy daycare to keep him busy.
Take care to keep things your dog eats out of his reach. Our Zuki likes socks and towels the best, so we keep baby gates up in front of our kids’ rooms, and keep towels hung out of his reach. We also have to keep his kennel free of blankets or towels, and also to let anyone watching him know to do the same. We have to keep art supplies in a sealed tote, and even be sure that scraps of paper are picked up off the floor. The bathroom is a “No” zone for him as well, as his last trip in there nearly took his life.
If your dog begins vomiting or gagging, has a bloated or painful abdomen, loses his appetite, becomes lethargic, or has diarrhea or constipation, take him to the veterinarian. These could be signs of a blockage in his digestive system, and emergency surgery could be required to save his life.
Since starting our “adventure” with Zuki nearly two years ago now, we have seen some strange things miraculously make it out of his digestive system, and he’s already had emergency surgery to remove a blockage. Our veterinarian tells us that this is likely to be a lifelong problem with him, and we have to watch him very closely, and work with him on a continuous basis to modify this behavior.
Be aware of your pet’s habits, and know that a bad habit doesn’t necessarily make a bad dog, recognizing and modifying those behaviors can make all the difference in your pet.
Mandy McQueen is vice president of the Board of Directors of the Central Aroostook Humane Society.
