Why Does My Dog Eat Everything? + 7 Ways to Stop It! | Pupford
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While our dogs do some really adorable and endearing things, they also do some things that baffle – and quite frankly frustrate – us. One of those behaviors that fall into the second category is putting anything and everything they see in their mouths.
We get asked by a lot of pet parents for help with their dogs that eat everything. Why does my dog eat everything? Is it dangerous? How do I get them to stop eating everything they see?
We’re going to address these questions, and more, in this article.
Related Reading: Why Do Dogs Eat Poop & How to Stop It
WHY DOES MY DOG EAT EVERYTHING?
While it’s understandable why your dog wants to take a bite out of your food or anything else edible, we can’t help but wonder what tempts them to put everything else in their mouths.
Rocks, sticks, pieces of garbage, tissues, clothing, household items, etc. – what could be the appeal?
There are a few possible explanations as to why puppies eat everything they see (especially on walks):
- Exploring their world
- Enticing flavors or scents
- PICA
Let's look at each reason below. 👇
🐶 Don't miss out! Learn how to teach your dog "leave it" for free as part of the 30 Day Perfect Pup course. Sign up here! 🐶
1. EXPLORING THEIR WORLD
Dogs, especially young puppies, explore the world through their mouths. It’s a natural instinct for them to smell, taste, chew, and mouth things to learn about them through their strongest senses.
Plus, they don't have hands! Expecting a growing puppy to not put things in its mouth is like expecting a developing baby to not pick things up with its hands...
While many dogs tend to grow out of this to a degree, it’s still an instinct that stays with them through adulthood when they encounter something new.
2. ENTICING FLAVORS OR SCENTS
Some things are simply irresistible to your dog because of their scent. If they smell like food or people, they’re extra tempting.
That’s why we often see our dogs sift through the kitchen garbage or seek out worn socks, used tissues, dirty diapers, and other gross things we’d never think of putting in our mouths.
Related Reading: Why Does My Dog Steal My Socks?
3. PICA
In rare cases, the desire to eat non-edible objects is caused by a disorder called pica. This differs from normal curiosity in that it’s a compulsive behavior that usually focuses on dirt, sand, sticks, rocks, and feces.
If you notice this in your dog, they may be missing a key nutrient in their diet, so it’s best to consult your vet for testing and treatment.
IS IT DANGEROUS FOR MY DOG TO EAT THINGS OFF THE GROUND?
Naturally, you want to know if you should be worried about your dog eating things other than food. The answer is: it depends.
It depends on what they eat and how much of it. There are definitely some dangers to look out for like blockages and poisoning! ⤵️
1. EATING THINGS OFF THE GROUND CAN CAUSE BLOCKAGES
If your dog eats large, solid, or indigestible items, they can be at risk for intestinal blockage. This commonly happens with rocks, socks, plastic toys/household items, and a build-up of smaller objects over time.
When there’s an intestinal blockage, your dog isn’t able to digest their food and absorb nutrients. It can also cause ruptures in the digestive tract which can be life-threatening.
Signs of a blockage include:
- Stopping eating and drinking
- Vomiting
- Inability to poop
- Swelling or a hard feeling belly
If your dog shows any signs of obstruction, contact your vet or seek emergency care immediately.
2. POISONING
Of course, our dogs consuming any type of chemicals or other substance we’d typically find harmful is a cause for concern.
But some things, even if they are safe for human consumption, can be toxic to our dogs. Some common items that your dog may eat that can cause poisoning include:
- Cigarettes, cannabis, electronic cigarette cartridges
- Alcoholic and caffeinated beverages (even small amounts left in containers)
- Foods including chocolate, avocados, grapes, onions, garlic, and more. For a complete list, see 39 Vegetables and Fruits Dogs Can Eat and Can’t Eat.
- Household/yard plants including lilies, aloe vera, bird of paradise, ivy, elephant ear, and more. For a complete list of plants to keep away from your dog, see 15 Plants That Are Toxic for Dogs.
Signs of poisoning in dogs can include vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, confusion, lethargy, loss of appetite, and seizures. Poisoning can be life-threatening depending on the size of your dog and the amount of the dangerous substance consumed.
🐶 Don't miss out! Learn how to teach your dog "leave it" for free as part of the 30 Day Perfect Pup course. Sign up here! 🐶
WHAT DO I DO IF MY DOG EATS SOMETHING DANGEROUS?
If you even suspect your dog ate something that can cause harm, stop reading and contact your vet immediately! In most cases, time is of the essence, and getting treatment sooner rather than later can make a huge difference in the severity and cost of treatment.
They will likely suggest one of the following:
- Bringing your dog in for emergency care
- Inducing vomiting at home (only do this under specific instruction/guidance of a vet!)
- Observing your dog for 24-48 hours for signs of blockage
- Checking your dog’s poop to see if they passed the object
The option they will choose depends on the substance consumed, your dog’s size, and other factors, so be sure to give your vet as much detail about the circumstances as possible – regardless of what your dog ate. Your vet is not here to judge you or get you in trouble, they’re here to help your dog – which they can only do effectively if they know all the details.
HOW TO STOP MY DOG FROM EATING EVERYTHING HE SEES
Since there are serious risks involved with your dog eating random objects, it’s important to take steps to stop – or even better, prevent – your dog from eating everything on walks and in your home.
Here are some tips for stopping your dog from eating unwanted things:
- Proper puppy-proofing
- Adequate supervision
- Teach "leave it"
- Teach "drop it"
- Teach proper chewing
- Planning ahead
- General impulse control
Let's look at each technique below. ⏬
1- PROPER PUPPY-PROOFING
Say that ten times fast! Puppy-proofing is the most effective way to make sure your dog can’t get their mouths on anything they shouldn’t. It really is on us to keep our pups as safe as possible.
Here are 21 Puppy Proofing Tips for Your Home, Yard, and Car.
2- ADEQUATE SUPERVISION
Giving your dog too much freedom too soon leaves them tempted to explore, which involves putting things in their mouths.
Unless you’re 100% sure the area your dog is in is puppy-proofed, they should not be left unsupervised.
3- TEACH "LEAVE IT"
Having your dog master “leave it” can be life-saving, especially when you are out on a walk or in a different environment. Teaching leave it should be on every pup parent's to-do list!
Get expert guidance for effectively teaching “leave it” in the Leave It Module of the 30 Day Perfect Pup course. Sign up for free here!
🐶 Don't miss out! Learn how to teach your dog "leave it" for free as part of the 30 Day Perfect Pup course. Sign up here! 🐶
4- TEACH "DROP IT"
If you aren’t able to get to your dog before they get to an item, the drop it cue is also a really good one to teach your dog!
This can be the difference between your dog eating something poisonous or not. And also the difference between playing the not-fun 'keep away' game with your dog or not!
5- TEACH PROPER CHEWING
If you give your dog things they are allowed to chew on, and that they enjoy chewing on, they’ll be less likely to go looking for other things to chew on – and potentially swallow.
We recommend long-lasting dog chews for keeping your pup engaged and safe.
6- PLAN AHEAD FOR YOUR WALKS
To stop scavenging on walks here are some ideas.
If possible, allow them to eat an hour before your walk, bring high-value treats (like jerky) and/or a favorite toy to keep them distracted if temptations on the street pop up. You can also try walking in places with fewer temptations and keep an eye out for items your pup may eat (and try to avoid them) on your walk.
And giving your dog plenty of nosework (like a snuffle mat) can help work their brain and foraging instincts in a controlled manner.
7- GENERAL IMPULSE CONTROL
Working on your dog's general impulse control can be one of the best ways to get them to stop eating everything they see! Our dogs are not born with impulse control, it's something we have to teach them and constantly work on.
Check out 21 Impulse Control Games for fun ways to teach impulse control!
RECAP OF WHY DOES MY DOG EAT EVERYTHING?
While chewing and eating are natural instincts for our dog, there are certainly things we can do to limit chewing and eating things that are potentially dangerous.
It’s a common issue, but one you can easily tackle with a few changes, the right tools, and a lot of patience!
As a recap, here are common reasons dogs eat things off the ground:
- Exploring their world
- Enticing flavors or scents
- PICA
And, here are 7 ways to stop your pup from eating things they shouldn't:
- Proper puppy-proofing
- Adequate supervision
- Teach "leave it"
- Teach "drop it"
- Teach proper chewing
- Planning ahead
- General impulse control
Don't forget that training this behavior takes a lot of patience and dedication. You can sign up for our 100% free online course 30 Day Perfect Pup to learn how to teach behaviors like leash walking, general impulse control, leave it, and even potty training. Sign up for free here!
How have you best helped teach your dog to stop eating things off the ground or on walks? Tell us in the comments.
🐶 Don't miss out! Learn how to teach your dog "leave it" for free as part of the 30 Day Perfect Pup course. Sign up here! 🐶
5 comments
Leave a CommentPiper chews her beds…rugs…towels…blankets anything on the floor even though she has tons of toys. I have to confine her when I can’t keep a eye on her or she will be chewing. She even chews her leashes and try’s to play tug when I put a leash on to walk her. She has actually ruined leashes. Help!
Chewing could also be a sign of boredom. You can try adding in more mental enrichment games throughout the day, giving chews to redirect her to, etc.
It sounds like you are doing a fantastic job, Beverly!
All the different local vets here won’t treat possible poisoned dogs. I asked this before I decided on a vet. They will say to call a Dog Poison Control Help Line 24/7 and charge $75 before they will talk with you. I know because my dog licked a citronella candle, not the hot liquid and told me she would be fine.
My corgi eats everything. She knows “leave it”. She was eating feces and I bought a preventive OTC. I’ve been giving it to her for quite awhile. I always take her out on a leash to prevent and supervise her. I’ve noticed that she’s stopped eating feces! On our walks she’ll eat dried up worms on the road. She use to try to catch nightcrawlers. Once she discovered a toad. I pulled her away because I know that if she ingested that toad it would make her sick. She’s got such acute hearing that she loses her focus on me. We are clicker training. She has a lot of reactive behaviors that we have been working on through your academy. She’s prey driven and I’ve been told that’s part of her herding instincts. She’s learns very quickly and is a joy to train! She gets mental and physical stimulation. She has a routine that I try to make an effort to follow. I reward her for positive behaviors and ignore the undesirable ones. I’m patient with her, but there are times where we both need our space. I put her in her crate which is in the living room and she’ll settle down. At night I hang a towel across the crate’s door. This may sound crazy, but she’s ready for bed at 8:00 PM. How am I doing? I love her to the moon and back!