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? 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.