EATING ODD OBJECTS BY DOGS & CATS: PICA

It is no surprise to most of my clients and friends that I love desserts. I was raised to ask not what was for supper but rather what was for dessert.

 I do not eat a lot of chocolate; yet, delectable pastries get me into “heavenly bliss”. On vacations, the local bakery is often  first stop for me!

Unfortunately, when offered even the best of premium dog food, many dogs and cats chose to eat other things in their spare time.

Many times, owners witness the ingestion. In other circumstances, the objects are passed in vomit or poop such as this golf glove ( radiograph on above shows it in the stomach).

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Sadly, as in this athletic sock ingested (radiograph below), they often cause an obstruction requiring surgery.

WHAT IS PICA?

It is defined as pets eating objects with no nutritional value: paper clips, socks, gloves, needles, razor blades, electrical cords, carpeting, underwear, plants, rocks, plastic, dental floss, golf balls, and toys among other things. It is thought to be a variant of normal exploration, scavenging, and chewing. Some feel there is an appeal of certain textures or preferred tastes to chew.

WHAT IS THE CAUSE?

Experts have not pin-pointed one specific cause of this compulsive behavior. Boredom (lack of exercise), stress, infantile behavior, low fiber diets, irritable bowel syndrome, and other intestinal medical issues are mentioned. Some puppies that were starved under 20 weeks of age have an increased risk of pica. 

ARE THERE GENETIC LINKS?

Doberman pinchers seems to have a propensity for blanket sucking and Oriental cats (Siamese, Burmese, etc.) have a similar increase in wool sucking. However affected cats may also chew on cotton, rubber bands, string, and cardboard. 

CAN YOU EXPLAIN POSSIBLE SIGNS OF A BLOCKAGE FROM EATING OBJECTS?

Vomiting, lack of appetite, dehydration, and painful belly are the most common reports. A radiograph, abdominal ultrasound is often performed to confirm the suspected cause. In the following photo, a cat ate a needle with sewing thread attached.

HOW IS PICA TREATED?

 Avoiding stress is a key factor. The next important portion is anticipation and avoidance of situations that are inciting causes: closing trash cans, putting away laundry, and confinement in areas to limit access to objects when unsupervised. On presentation to a veterinarian a blood profile maybe performed to check for irregularities and a good history to rule out separate intestinal disorders. Treatment includes: higher fiber diets to fill up stomach, increased exercise to enrich the environment, and provide alternate chewing activities such as food puzzle toys, durable chew toys, dental chews, and cat grass. For dogs, imcreases in brain game activities such as obedience training, bumper retrieving exercises, or swimming helps to tire and decrease episodes. This leads to happier dogs and owners!!!

In addition, for added safety some  dogs may comfortably be fitted with a basket muzzle for key periods of the day. Slowing down eating with Buster Dog Mazes is another example. For those that cannot find a cause, an anti-anxiety medication maybe discussed.

For cats, it is very important to enrich the environment with tools with online tools such as the "the indoor cat initiative" to simulate hunting for food,climbing perches,and increasing exercise. similar puzzle games for feeding stations are helpful.

Below is a fall scene from Linville Falls, North Carolina.

Betsy T. Sigmon, DVM Diplomate American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, Canine & Feline Practice

Creature Comforts Animal Hospital, Hospital Director

Cary, NC