Why is my dog intake material?
I have a 2 year old Queensland Heeler. He is a professionally trained cattle and sheep hearding dog. He is with my husband and I adjectives day, between 5 and 9 hours a day, on our horse farm. He also have a obsession with fabric. Underwear (mine and my husbands), hip bath towels, blankets, pants, bed sheets, his own bed and that's it. He has bones, and chew toys and toys. He is rarely departed alone for more than an hour at a time. I don't see how he could be acting out, see as how he gets ample exercise, uses his pea brain while hearding, and gets as much affection as my 9 year old stepdaughter. This is getting to be an expensive obsession. He has destroyed thousands of dollars of jeans, bed sheets and down comforters. He only does this at night when not a soul is looking. I show him what he has done and he knows he did a bad article. No discipline seems to get through to him! Please help!
Answers: Hi within... .Medically scientists have determined that pets who suck, lick, chew non-edible items suffer from a condition called PICA. http://www.usask.ca/wcvm/herdmed/applied...
Chewing or eating cords, textile, houseplants, etc.
What is Pica?
Pica is the act of eating non-food items. In less serious cases, pets may chew or suck on objects, but not in actual fact swallow them. Common targets include yarn or string, fabric, wool, phone or electric cords, and plants. Any express doubts may be a potential target, however.
Why is Pica Dangerous?
Other than its destructive potential, pica can be extremely hazardous to your pet's health if non-food items are consumed. Ingested fabric, string, or other materials can lodge within your pet's stomach or intestine. The blockage prevents the passage of food and may cut off the blood supply to these organs. Both are life-threatening conditions. Pet's that chew on power cords may be electrocuted. Additionally, many adjectives houseplants are toxic to pets; chewing or eating these plants can cause a wide scope of symptoms from drooling to death. If your pet has a history of ingesting non-food items and becomes slow, vomits, or displays other concerning behavior, take them to your veterinarian immediately.
Why Does My Pet Eat/Chew on Non-food Items?
No one knows precisely why some pets exhibit pica behavior. Because pica has been associated with an assortment of diseases, a veterinarian should examine any pe with pica. Once medical causes are ruled out, behavioral reasons for pica can include boredom, attention-seeking, appealing odors, hunger, and learned behavior.
Treatment:
To rule out medical causes, a veterinarian should examine adjectives pets displaying pica. Once your veterinarian gives your pet a clean bill of health, discuss next to them what steps you can take to modify your pet's behavior. These may include the following:
1) Remove targeted items - Placing clothing, blankets, houseplants and electric cords out of the reach of your pet is often the easiest solution. Storage containers, electric cord guards, and other adjectives items are available at most home supply stores.
2) Provide alternative items to chew or eat - Food-dispensing toys, durable pet toys, or pieces of rawhide can be used to redirect your pet's chewing behavior to more appropriate and not dangerous items (see handout).
3) Provide lots of structured play - Many pets chew on household items out of boredom. Provide interactive toys and set aside time each day to play with your pet.
4) Increase dietary fiber - It may help out to increase the amount of fiber in your pet's diet. Besides providing more dietary fiber, high fiber foods usually contain a lesser amount of calories. Your pet may be able to satisfy their craving to eat more while still maintain their weight. Consult with your veterinarian before making any change to your pet's diet.
5) Make targeted items aversive - Occasionally, applying aversive substances (e.g. hot sauce, coffee grounds, etc) to an item may deter a pet from chewing it. If this is not possible, spraying strong smelling substances (e.g. citrus air freshener, potpourri) or using physical deterrents (e.g. upside down carpet runner) around an protest may prevent pets from approaching.
6) Consult with a veterinary behaviorist - If your pet continues to ingest non-food items, referral to a veterinary behaviorist is recommended. Further environmental and behavior modification plans, specifically tailored to your pet, may be needed. In some cases, medication may be helpful.
