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Why Does My Dog Eat Everything? + 7 Ways to Stop It! | Pupford

January 11th, 2024

Filed under Health + Wellness

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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?

dog sniffing for something to eat on walk

There are a few possible explanations as to why puppies eat everything they see (especially on walks):

  1. Exploring their world
  2. Enticing flavors or scents
  3. 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?

is it okay if my dog eats things they find

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?

things that does should not eat

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

how to stop your dog from eating everything

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:

  1. Proper puppy-proofing
  2. Adequate supervision
  3. Teach "leave it"
  4. Teach "drop it"
  5. Teach proper chewing
  6. Planning ahead
  7. 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"

yellow dog looking for things to eat while on a walk | Pupford

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?

woman looking up ways to stop her dog from eating everything | Pupford

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:

  1. Exploring their world
  2. Enticing flavors or scents
  3. PICA

And, here are 7 ways to stop your pup from eating things they shouldn't:

  1. Proper puppy-proofing
  2. Adequate supervision
  3. Teach "leave it"
  4. Teach "drop it"
  5. Teach proper chewing
  6. Planning ahead
  7. 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! 🐶

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