![]() ![]() Diseases of maldigestion and malabsorption.Parasitic infections (such as tapeworms and hookworms).Endocrine diseases (like diabetes and thyroid disease).The most common medical conditions that trigger pica in canines include: The cause of pica disorder can be either physiological (due to an underlying medical condition) or psychological (purely behavioral). The disorder is also more common in female dogs. Some dog breeds are more prone to pica, such as Labrador Retrievers. This habit is more common in nursing dogs who tend to eat their puppies' excrement, but often carries over into adult dogs and is particularly hard to break. Pica is different from coprophagia, or the ingestion of feces. Pica can be dangerous to your dog’s health because the items they swallow can be toxic or get lodged in their throat and intestinal tract. In general, dogs with pica tend to favor items that carry their owner’s scent, such as underwear, socks, towels, and pantyhose. Some pups might only eat one type of item, whereas others will eat a variety of different objects, like dirt, rocks, books, balls wet wipes, and more. Pica is an eating disorder characterized by the urge to eat objects that are not food. Pro Tip: You can never eliminate the risk of foreign body ingestion, but by getting pet insurance before a problem occurs, you can protect yourself and your dog should the unimaginable happen. Read on to find out more about pica in dogs, including the causes, symptoms, treatment options, and more. If your dog is one of them, they might have a condition called pica.īut what exactly is pica disorder? Should you be worried if your dog has pica, and are there ways to stop them from eating things they shouldn’t? Sensory intervention: Sensory characteristics of a non-food item when identified can help in finding the edible replacements for it, which then will help in treating the condition.Is your dog eating dirt, rocks, or something they aren’t supposed to? Maybe they like to indulge in the garbage, grass, or even poop? When it comes to eating, our canine companions can have somewhat strange, even disgusting habits and will happily gulp down items that seem inedible.This approach though, is considered more useful for children with developmental disabilities. If pica is found to be associated with the behavioral issues, the doctor may recommend consultation from a psychologist. Behavioral intervention: Several behavioral approaches have been reported in the literature.Pharmacological intervention: Medicines may be prescribed to reduce abnormal eating patterns if pica is linked with an intellectual or developmental disability in a child.Psychological intervention: Counseling, behavioral therapy, and psychotherapy may be recommended for individuals in whom pica is believed to be attributable to emotional or psychological disturbances.If dietary intervention is not sufficient, supplements could also be considered under the guidance of a pediatrician. Nutritional intervention: In most cases, addressing the mineral or nutrient deficiencies through dietary changes may resolve the pica problem in the child.The pica literature reports various treatments for pathological pica, such as nutritional, psychological, pharmacological, behavioral, ecological, and sensory approaches (14). There is no one-way or direct treatment approach for pica, as it all depends on the underlying causes. These steps will enable the doctor to diagnose pica and it’s complications and try to ascertain the cause behind it to the maximum probability. Sometimes, imaging or an X-ray may be required to identify what was consumed or to closely observe conditions such as obstructions in the intestines or bowels if any is suspected. ![]() The doctor may also conduct a stool test to check for parasitic infections. ![]() Insufficiency of these vitamins might be a cause for eating dirt (or clay) in certain cases. Blood tests check anemia, toxins in the blood, blockages in the intestines, and for iron and zinc deficiency.
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