Why Do Dogs Eat Strange Things?

While you probably wouldn't chow down on rocks, twigs or dirty underwear, your dog's not nearly as discriminating. Some of the strange things dogs eat that don't come from his food dish are far from harmless -- eating nonedibles can result in choking, intestinal blockages, bowel issues and parasitic infections. While the causes vary, the behaviors are lumped into a condition called pica.

  1. Pica Peculiarities

    • Pica is a condition in which a dog or other animal habitually eats things that aren't food, like clothes, toys, rocks or feces. While most dogs like to explore with their mouths and may chew on inappropriate things like shoes from time to time, a dog that actually ingests nonfood items can suffer medical complications. Eating feces, for example, can create stomach upset and lead to internal parasites, while consuming other hard-to-digest objects can necessitate surgical removal.

    Seeing the Vet

    • If your dog appears to have pica, your first course of action is getting him to the veterinarian. Pica has no single cause, so you must first rule out any health problems that could compel him to eat strange things. For example, anemia or thyroid disease may motivate him to eat things he shouldn't. Malnutrition and underfeeding could also be culprits, so have your vet make sure a treatable physical ailment isn't to blame.

    Behavioral Reasons

    • Pet behaviorists from the Humane Society of the United States and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals speculate that dogs may develop pica as a way of coping with unhappiness or emotional problems. For example, a dog who is bored, anxious or neglected may eat strange things as a way of occupying himself or even of trying to get a reaction from his owner. Other dogs may develop inappropriate eating disorders as a result of environmental stress.

    Breaking the Habit

    • Because this behavior can be caused by so many different things, only a vet or an animal trainer or behaviorist can diagnose a course of treatment. Some common methods include spraying would-be objects of attention with foul-tasting sprays, to deter inappropriate chewing and eating. Monitoring your dog's behavior and making his usual targets inaccessible may help, also -- for example, if he obsessively eats feces, keep your yard clean so he doesn't have any to eat. If boredom or frustration may be to blame, playing with your dog and getting him more exercise could also solve the problem.