![]() Possible Medical Issues: The following are some medical issues associated with Pica as reported by various veterinarians: ![]() There is almost always more than one aspect to this type of problem and if we don’t address all of those aspects, the problem will remain. In my practice I have found that regardless of the cause for Pica, it is important to first address any organic/medical causes and then address the problem holistically. ![]() I recommend scheduling a behavior consultation for the latter as this manipulative behavior can also lead to serious injury to the dog’s gastrointestinal system. And then there are those attention seeking canines who will do anything to get us to chase, play with or pet them They will continually grab a nonfood item and begin chewing on it knowing that it will bring you in. The dog that eats a candy bar, wrapper and all, is not necessarily a dog with Pica. For example, a highly food motivated/excitable dog may eat a part of a plastic fork with food on it. Other isolated incidences occur when dogs eat nonfood items and it is not considered Pica. I believe however that if a puppy learns that it is permissible and enjoyable to chew on dangerous items such a plastic during the early sensitive periods, this could set them up to develop a bad habit that may get worse and cause problems later. It is vitally important to monitor puppies constantly and to “puppy proof” your home. Puppies often try to eat small objects such as mulch, plastic, most anything they find during the first six months while exploring their environment. Pica can be extremely damaging to the animal’s intestinal tract and stomach and be potentially life-threatening. If your dog is lethargic or is vomiting and/or has diarrhea, get medical help immediately. If you find yourself stressing about what your dog is putting in his mouth or eating, it is time to consult your veterinarian and schedule a consultation for a behavioral evaluation and interventions. They may also consume plastic items, cigarettes, wooden objects, paper, toilet tissue, clay and soap. For dogs with pica, common non nutritive objects eaten are stones. Remember, eating plastic is hazardous to your cat's health, so make it a habit for you and everyone in your home to keep it out of reach of your plastic-loving kitty.Pica in people as well as in dogs and cats refers to eating things that are nonfood items. Be diligent in keeping plastic away from your cat.Over time and many repetitions, you can teach your kitty that it's more rewarding to leave plastic alone than to lick or chew on it. When she chases the toy, give her big praise and a treat. When she heads toward it, distract her by tossing a cat toy in a different direction. Do this by being close to your kitty and putting out a plastic bag. ![]() You can work on training your cat to leave plastic bags alone. Scratching relieves stress for cats and helps decrease unwanted behaviors connected with it. You may also break up your cat's daily kibble allotment into smaller servings and hide it around the house to be "hunted" throughout the day. You can try automatic cat toys that come on at intervals. When you're not home, you can provide enrichment and combat stress and boredom in your cat by using puzzle toys that require the kitty to work to get some kibble out.
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