Dog Pica and Eating Behaviors

Pica refers to a condition that describes dogs that crave and eat non-food items. Some dogs may only eat one type of non-food item while others may eat a variety. Pica can endanger a dog’s health because what the dog consumes might be toxic. The item the dog consumes might also not be digestible.

Dog ate a candle

Candle may contain materials and ingredients that are toxic to pets, such as essential oil and fragrance.

Dog ate a string from a rope toy

The string of a rope toy can be dangerous to dogs if it was ingested. It may lead to problems like choking and obstruction in the dog’s digestive tract.

Dog ate a piece of rubber toy

The ingestion of rubber toys can pose a health threat to dogs mainly in the form of choking and obstruction.

Dog ate a plastic toy

The ingestion of plastic toys can cause havoc in the dog’s body unless the toy is extremely small in size (relative to the dog’s size).

Dog ate a cotton swab

Cotton swabs or q tips could pose a health threat, especially if they were swallowed in large amounts.

Dog ate a piece of fabric toy

Fabric toy pieces have the potential to become a health threat to dogs once ingested. The level of danger will depend on factors such as the dog’s size and the size of the fabric toy pieces.

Dog ate a slug or snail

The ingestion of snails and slugs does introduce health risks, especially if the mollusc was harboring parasites like lungworms.

Dog ate cockroach bait

The ingestion of cockroach bait might result in clinical signs such as vomiting, gagging, and hypersalivation.

Dog ate a tea bag

The ingestion of tea bags can be a risk to dogs due to the potential development of caffeine poisoning and blockage in the dog’s digestive tract.

Dog ate a nicotine pouch

Nicotine pouch can be quite toxic to dogs. A single satchel is enough to cause serious consequences.

Dog ate bird seeds

Bird seeds could pose a potential health threat to dogs if they are moldy and stale.

Dog ate toothpaste

The ingestion of toothpaste can be extremely dangerous to dogs due to the presence of ingredients like xylitol and sodium fluoride.

Dog ate a fly

The ingestion of houseflies is usually harmless. The main risk is if the dog eats a fly that’s covered with fly killer spray.

Dog ate toy stuffing

The ingestion of toy stuffing may pose a risk to a dog’s health. Complications may occur as a result of issues like choking and intestinal blockage.

Dog ate a stink bug

The ingestion of stink bugs may irritate the dog’s mouth and stomach. Vomiting and diarrhea are common symptoms among dogs that eat stink bugs.

Dog ate vaseline

Vaseline (petroleum jelly) isn’t considered toxic to dogs but may end up causing a lot of irritations in your dog’s stomach.