You see your dog eating anything from rocks, sticks, dirt, clothing, golf balls, and other odd items and wonder why she is doing this!  The formal term for eating non-food items is pica. It is usually assumed to be a behavioral problem, but there can be underlying medical disorders causing this behavior. 

Aside from being annoying, pica can be very dangerous for your dog. The compulsive ingestion of indigestible items can lead to three life-threatening conditions: gastric dilatation volvulus (bloat), bowel perforation, and intestinal blockage, requiring immediate surgical intervention. The consumption of toxic items, such as batteries or electronics, can lead to poisoning.

Although it is normal for puppies to chew on and eat many different items as they explore their environment, they should outgrow this behavior. However, pica can be a clinical sign of disease and should be discussed with your veterinarian if it continues.

When your dog eats personal items, it may be that she simply likes your scent on those items that she consumed: socks, undergarments, pantyhose, or towels. However, there are behavioral issues that are thought to contribute to pica.

Boredom in high-energy dogs can cause them to seek out something to occupy themselves. Pica can also be a learned behavior that manifests into an oral obsessive-compulsive disorder. The disorder can also include excessive licking of surfaces or furniture.  Separation anxiety or other stress can also lead to pica.

There are prescription medications, like corticosteroids (prednisone) or anti-seizure drugs (phenobarbital), that cause an increase in your dog’s appetite. The addition of these medications could cause a sudden onset of pica.  

Eating dirt is a common complaint among pet parents. If your dog continuously eats dirt, you should discover the reason.  It could be because she likes the taste. After all, she’s less discernible than a human’s palate! However, eating dirt can be caused by a mineral deficiency, anemia, or gastrointestinal problems. You must consult your dog’s veterinarian if eating dirt is common practice.

Breed, Age, and Gender Predisposition for Pica

Studies reveal that the Labrador Retriever is more prone to pica than other breeds because of a genetic variant that inhibits their brain from correctly regulating hunger and fullness. Younger and neutered dogs also seem to have a higher incidence of pica.

Breed predisposition may be present in Labrador Retrievers and Flat-coated Retrievers. The mutation of the pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) gene results in the disruption of b-MSH and b-endorphin. The POMC gene variant is associated with increased body weight, fat storage, and food motivation in Labrador and Flat-coat retrievers. Up to 25% of Labrador retrievers carry at least one variant copy.

The POMC gene is vital for telling the brain when the body is hungry and has had enough food. If your dog has the gene variant, she will continue to feel hungry, which may cause her to eat non-food items.

Research studies have shown other commonalities among dogs exhibiting pica behavior: young and neutered males. Spayed females also have a higher tendency for pica than intact females. As dogs age, the tendency toward pica declines; however, it can become an obsessive behavior in some dogs. 

Diagnosis of pica is often based on witnessing the behavior. However, it usually occurs when your dog is alone.

Clinical signs seen with pica include diarrhea, vomiting, changes in eating habits, lack of energy, or the presence of non-food items in your dog’s feces.

Pica should be distinguished from coprophagia, the eating of feces. Coprophagia is a different syndrome that needs to be addressed.

Some dogs may actually like the taste of feces, making it difficult to eliminate the behavior. However, a nutritional deficiency may be the underlying cause of your dog eating feces to self-correct the imbalance.

Your veterinarian should make a differential diagnosis for endocrine disorders such as thyroid disease or diabetes, nutritional imbalances, or GI tract disorders that result in malabsorption. Testing will include bloodwork (a complete blood count (CBC) and a chemistry profile), a urinalysis, a fecal analysis for intestinal parasites, and X-rays to determine if there is a GDV or bowel obstruction. A Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) is a commercially available test that checks your dog’s mineral and vitamin levels.

There are three main approaches to address pica, checking for underlying medical causes, addressing behavioral issues, and removing opportunities.

Determining an underlying medical cause should be the first step in addressing pica treatment and prevention.

Gastrointestinal disorders such as leaky gut syndrome, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, and inflammatory bowel disease can lead to malabsorption and cause your dog to feel hungry constantly.

Nutritional imbalances are often detected in dogs that engage in pica behavior. Feeding a well-balanced raw meat-based diet that includes organ meats will provide the proper minerals and vitamin levels.

Bowel obstructions, GDV, or perforations that result from pica require immediate surgery.

You can provide appropriate items such as raw meaty bones or other natural chews to meet your dog’s chewing needs. You should also offer additional mental and physical stimulation to overcome boredom and reduce stress. Strenuous exercise and exploratory walks can counter boredom.

Some veterinarians may want to prescribe anti-anxiety medications. However, if the gut microbiome is healthy, your dog’s gut will produce adequate serotonin and dopamine levels, eliminating the need for anti-anxiety medication and using prebiotics and probiotics to re-establish a healthy gut microbiome, allowing it to make enough serotonin and dopamine. 

Adaptil, a dog-appealing pheromone (DAP), is a natural option for dogs experiencing stress and separation anxiety. It is available as a diffuser, a spray, or a collar to be worn by your dog.

Ensure your dog does not have access to or the opportunity to eat non-food, indigestible items, especially those your dog prefers. Crate training a dog that routinely eats non-food items will ensure her safety while alone.

Pica is compulsive ingestion of non-food items.

The cause of pica may be of behavioral or medical origin. 

Pica can lead to life-threatening conditions of GDV, bowel perforation, or intestinal blockage.

Link between Foreign Body Ingestion and Behavioural Disorder in Dogs  

Pyloric leiomyoma: behavioural aspects in a shelter dog  

What is Pica?

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