Pica
“My dog or cat ate my homework” is an excuse invented by children who haven’t done their homework and want to get away with it. Of course, their teachers don’t believe them and they eventually receive a bad grade. But, it seems that this action is actually true in some cases, and animals can do this for real. The phenomenon is called “pica” and can be found even in humans.
That being said, pica is a mental disorder characterized by compulsively eating items that have no nutritional value and may be toxic sometimes, such as paint, metal, deodorant, papers, soap, sand, glue and so on. This disorder can be found in children, pregnant women and animals.
Thus, if you notice that your pet eats non-food items, you should talk to your veterinarian as there are a lot of factors that could cause this illness. Pica may cause intoxication in animals and can even lead to death if left untreated.
So, all you have to do is to talk to your vet, tell them about the non food items your dog has eaten and follow their treatment.
Binge eating
Unfortunately, it is quite difficult to notice that your furry friend suffers from binge eating, especially because they love to eat all the time. However, you should know that there’s a big difference between binge eating and an increased appetite. Binge eating is a life-threatening eating disorder that refers to recurrent episodes of eating large amounts of foods.
According to animal experts, small pets, such as birds, reptiles, rodents, rabbits, hedgehogs, cats, dog and amphibians, whether domestic or wild, they tend to suffer from this mental disorder. It has been proven though that domestic animals are more likely to suffer from overeating. The explanation is that you, as a pet owner, are doing something wrong, such as not giving them nutritious and healthy food, keeping them stressed or not helping them stick to certain eating intervals. For instance, keeping a bowl full of food can lead to binge eating.
Luckily, there are some treatments that can help you combat this mental disorder, and the most common ones involve more exercise, more entertainment (to help you keep them focused on something else) and setting certain eating intervals.
One of the most important things that you have to take into consideration when it comes to helping your dog overcome this condition is to provide them less food and play with them to chase away their boredom. In fact, pets can eat when they are bored, just like humans.
2 thoughts on “”
Any thoughts on “anorexia”. I have a lovely year old husky who is a poor eater. I have experimented with lots of different foods including those prescribed by our vet. Some times she eats it and sometimes she nibbles at the top and leaves the rest. I have added “yummy” stuff most dogs would love to eat and she walks away from it. Human food doesn’t appeal to her all that much and I don’t want to become her chef! Is there any absolutely irresistible additive you can suggest?
I have a habit of mental illness and also have lots of physical illness my husband passed away five years ago and I had another dog she had kidney failure and she passed away who have a dog because I couldn’t stay here by myself so I found one on the Internet shih tzu and a bichion frisée
.. I got her when she was like weeks old she has been the perfect dog I was amazed when I Gotter because eight weeks old and she was already potty trained that was my first shock and she knew how to fetch so I knew I had something special but with my illnesses and things I didn’t know how she was going to react. I have a combination on my walk and I keep an alert on me so if I fall or get hurt the paramedics they know to come in and get me they are here a lot since they are here she has come to know who they are she knows what they’re here for she they know her and she knows what them and she knows they’re not gonna hurt me and everything go smoothly and when I come home she’s happy. it is just me and her and she is very protective she’s three years old she will not let anyone come to the door at all and this is the paramedics the owner what she let them come in if I let her say Teddy it’s OK it’s OK if they come in if I pick her up they come in I put her down she’s perfect she just has to make sure that I give them permission to come in the house She is with me all the time which is great I have no family it’s just me and her I don’t know what I ever would’ve ever done without her she’s with me everywhere I’ve got her car seat when I first got her she weighed 2 pounds but I put her in the car seat and she’s been riding with Me ever since that’s my teddy bear I love her to death by the way my mental disorder was diagnosed it is schizoaffective bipolar disorder with PTSD and personality disorder let me and Teddie me and her are one. As far as she’s concerned I don’t think she knows I have anything that’s what loves about