![]() ![]() Administration of some drugs, such as steroids, can increase hunger and lead to pica as well. Rarely, an underlying condition such as anemia, intestinal parasites, gastrointestinal disorders, or liver disease may lead to an animal eating strange objects. Others who are (or have been) confined for long periods of time may become accustomed to eating their feces by way of keeping their bedding from being soiled. Dogs may eat feces because they are not being fed enough or if they go too long between meals, but it is usually not because they are lacking a nutrient in the diet.ĭogs who have been punished for defecating in the house may eat their feces to avoid further punishment. Some pets chew on objects out of stress or boredom. The exact cause of pica and coprophagy is unknown. Though coprophagy is generally more distasteful than it is harmful to the pet, eating non-food objects may result in vomiting, diarrhea, or a blockage in the digestive tract, which may require an emergency surgery or use of an endoscope to retrieve the object while the pet is under anesthesia. Coprophagy is much more common in dogs than in cats, and female dogs are more likely to display this behavior than males. It is a natural behavior for nursing mothers to eat the feces of their puppies or kittens. Oriental breeds of cats are more likely to eat fabrics and wool.Ĭoprophagy is the consumption of feces. Dogs may be more likely to eat objects such as rocks and toys, while cats may eat more curious items such as clothing, strings, and kitty litter. Pets with pica or coprophagy eat substances that are not considered food. Owners may also choose to work with a veterinary behaviorist to eliminate the behavior. Owners can prevent pets from eating objects by eliminating access to the objects, making the objects unpleasant to taste, enriching the pet’s environment to prevent boredom, or using muzzles on walks. When eaten, some objects may block the digestive tract and require surgical removal or retrieval with an endoscope. Veterinarians do not know why pets engage in these behaviors, but rarely, underlying diseases may lead to them. Coprophagy is the consumption of feces, and it is much more common in dogs than cats. Pica is the eating of non-food substances such as rocks, soil, and clothing.
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