wcvm/herdmed/applied-ethology/behaviourproblems/picabeh.NEW PRODUCT ALERT: Click to check out our latest product for your dog, Core Function CBD Essential Wellness Formula.Īlthough it can be debated whether animals can obsess, they do perceive and experience feelings of concern therefore, the term ‘ canine-compulsive-disorder’ (CCD) has also been adapted to describe this behavioral disorder in dogs.Īccording to the Merck Veterinary Manual, abnormal repetitive behaviors in dogs may actually comprise a number of different disorder classifications including compulsive disorders, stereotypies (persistent mechanical repetition of speech or movement), neurologic disorders, and other forms of behavioral pathology. Keep your dog indoors and leash-walk to prevent eating rocks and feces.Īpply a bitter taste to objects to discourage their consumption. Treat the specific disease if an underlying cause can be identified (such as pancreatic enzyme supplementation for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, or corticosteroids and dietary changes for inflammatory bowel disease).Īdminister prescribed psychoactive drugs from your veterinarian if they feel that pica is related to a behavioral disorder. Any reaction, including an enjoyable chase, or aggressive response, will be regarded as rewarding by the dog. In cases where it seems that the dog is exhibiting pica behavior in order to gain attention and the dog is performing the behaviour in your presence, it is best to ignore the dog if it already has something in its mouth. (Make sure the bone or chew item is large enough so that the dog cannot swallow it.) Encourage the dog to play with acceptable chew items.
Teasing the dog with a bone or chew toy will help stimulate interest in the object. Taking the dog out for a good long walk twice a day will help tire the dog out, provide the dog with companionship and diversion.įor dogs with an urge to find, chew and hold items within their mouth it is useful to orient the dog towards an acceptable object such as a strong nylon or rawhide bone. The easiest treatment for pica behavior is to provide adequate exercise and active play for the animal. Sometimes these two functions are so closely associated with each other that the dog ends up partially ingesting something that it originally intended only to investigate and release. Puppies which were orally oriented, encouraged to pick up objects and play with them, can retain the attribute into adulthood.Īccidental- The dog's mouth is an organ by which he explores and takes possession of objects, as well as eats them.
A dog with little to do in his day will "explore" behavioural activities, such as chewing on foreign objects.įrom Puppyhood- Pica is often a carryover from puppyhood. Even if a scolding follows, this may act as a reward for a dog deprived of attention.īoredom- Boredom or lack of exercise for long periods of time without companionship can play a major role in a dog's interest in chewing on non-food items.
The attention provided by the owner can be rewarding and reinforced even though the reward is unintentional. To Gain Attention- A dog can quickly learn that picking up a foreign object or a non-food item will gain the owner's attention. In the absence of any physiologic or pathologic causes, there are a number of behavioral reasons for pica. Medical- There are many medical conditions such as dietary deficiencies and esophageal dysphagia which should first be ruled out through a veterinarian's examination.
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