"My dog eats a lot of strange things!"
Do you have a dog that thinks everything inedible is a delicacy? Dogs are curious animals and explore their surroundings with their noses and mouths. Just as small children put sand in their mouths when playing in the sandbox, puppies will be more than happy to do the same in the cat litter box if they get the chance. There are so many exciting things, smells and tastes to explore! Even as your puppy gets older, the urge and curiosity to explore new things in this way will remain. This is completely normal – it’s when your dog swallows it that it can cause trouble. So what should you do when your dog eats grass and rocks? And how dangerous is it really?
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Is it okay to let your dog eat grass?
Are you wondering why your dog eats grass? Isn't it really a cat thing? Although there is no equally good explanation for why dogs eat grass, this is a fairly common behavior. Grass is not dangerous or toxic in itself, and even if grass does contain traces of pesticides, it is usually in such small doses that it will not affect the dog. You shouldn't replace the lawnmower with the dog, but it doesn't hurt to let your four-legged friend taste a few blades of grass here and there. Just pay attention to whether your dog often throws up after eating grass or seems a little disheveled after consumption. In that case, you should contact a veterinarian for an examination to make sure everything is in order. If Fido is especially fond of chewing on everything that is green, it is a good idea not to have poisonous plants around.
The puppy eats rocks - a potential danger?
Do you have a puppy that eats rocks as if they were treats? It can often be due to curiosity. It looks so much fun when you unconsciously kick pebbles as you walk on the gravel! As a rule, puppies will outgrow it, and a small stone can make it through the digestive system without any problems. But in some cases, surgery is required to remove the stone collection from the stomach. It is not recommended to let the dog eat or chew on stones, as the hard surface can damage the teeth.
Why does the dog eat feces?
No dog owner finds it particularly appetizing when their dog eats poop. And it gets even more frustrating when you have to chase after them to get them to let go. Dogs eating poop is so common that it has a name – coprophagia. There are many reasons why poop is tempting for dogs. Sometimes it happens in connection with potty training, where they want to remove the evidence indoors if they are unsure if they have pooped in the right place. Other reasons can be related to stress, illness, understimulation, hunger or simply because the strong smell and taste create a curiosity that just needs to be explored.
Can dogs eat ice cream?
Even if your four-legged friend will protest, you should avoid sharing your dessert with them. Dogs cannot eat ice cream, as their ability to digest milk is poor, in addition to the fact that ice cream usually contains large amounts of sugar. This can cause your dog to have diarrhea and stomach pain. Luckily, there are dog-friendly ice creams out there! Make your own by putting frozen bananas or apples in a blender, for example. Although dogs can't eat ice cream, they can still enjoy ice cubes.
What should dogs absolutely not eat?
Since there are so many things that are edible for us humans but are bad for dogs' stomachs, it can be difficult to know what dogs cannot eat. Some foods are also in border countries where the amount plays a big role in how the dog reacts to it. Other foods can be eaten fine, but increase the chance of overweight in dogs.
Examples of what dogs CANNOT eat:
- Grapes and raisins
- Coffee and other foods with caffeine
- Onions and garlic
- Nuts such as macadamia nuts and walnuts
- Raw pork
- Chocolate and cocoa
Examples of what dogs can eat:
- Cucumber
- broccoli
- Apple without core and seeds
- Carrot
- Paprika
- Potato
- Shrimp
- Tomato that is ripe
- Quinoa
How to stop the dog from consuming unwanted things
- Try to identify the reason why your dog is eating things it shouldn't.
- Keep dangerous objects such as cords and ropes out of reach.
- If the dog uses the litter box, you can place it high up or in a place where only the cat can reach it.
- A bored dog may start eating things it shouldn't. Make sure it gets enough stimulation during the day with walks, play, and exercise.
- Teach the dog what is okay to chew on and what is not. A stick in the forest looks very similar to the wooden leg on the kitchen table!
- Offer options that are actually okay to chew and eat.
- Don't yell! Yelling is also attention that can reinforce the behavior. Instead, try to distract your dog with something else and give praise and rewards when he does it.
- Teach your dog commands like "leave it," "drop it," or "spit it out."
Pica – a common condition in dogs
If your dog is eating a lot of strange things, it may be a good idea to be aware of the reasons behind this behavior pattern. Although dogs explore the world through their mouths, there comes a point where the urge to eat objects is not part of exploration, but a compulsive disorder. This condition is called pica, and in the worst case it can lead to poisoning of the dog if it ingests something toxic. We do not know the cause of pica with certainty, but in some cases it may be due to a lack of important minerals.
Do not hesitate to contact our veterinary clinic in Larvik if you are unsure how to handle your dog's behaviour. Our skilled veterinarians will always give you guidance and care for your four-legged friend!
