Why Does My Dog Eat Non-Food Items? (And How to Stop It!)

Does your dog chew on socks, rocks, or even furniture? While occasional curiosity is normal, regularly eating non-food objects (a condition called pica) can be dangerous. Here’s why it happens and how to stop it.

Dogs may munch on unusual things for several reasons:

🔹 Curiosity or Boredom – Especially common in puppies and high-energy dogs.
🔹 Hunger or Nutritional Deficiencies – A poor diet may cause cravings for non-food items.
🔹 Anxiety or Stress – Dogs may chew or eat objects as a coping mechanism.
🔹 Medical Issues – Conditions like gastrointestinal problems or metabolic disorders can trigger pica.
🔹 Attention-Seeking Behavior – If grabbing objects gets a reaction from you, your dog might keep doing it!

Sit & Stay Pro Tip — Stop the Snackin’

Remove Temptations

Keep small, chewable objects out of reach. Secure laundry, trash, and any unsafe items. If the items are large, try a no-chew or bitter apple spray.

Offer Safe Alternatives

Provide dog-safe chew toys, food puzzles, or frozen treats to redirect their chewing instinct.

Rule Out Medical Causes

If your dog frequently eats non-food items, consult your vet to check for dietary deficiencies or health issues.

Increase Exercise & Mental Stimulation

Bored dogs get into trouble! Regular walks, training sessions, and interactive games help reduce destructive behaviors.

Teach the “Leave It” Command

Training your dog to ignore forbidden objects can prevent them from grabbing unsafe items. Reward them for listening!

Address Anxiety & Stress

If chewing is anxiety-driven, calming strategies like routine, enrichment activities, or anxiety wraps may help.

When to Seek Veterinary Help

If your dog swallows non-food objects regularly, it could lead to blockages or serious health risks. A vet can provide guidance on behavior modification or, in severe cases, medication or diet changes.

Understanding the cause and providing proper outlets can help your dog develop safe and healthy habits! 🐾

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Dog Food and Supplement Recalls

Here are the recent recalls and advisories:

• Blue Ridge Beef - Natural Mix for potential salmonella.

• Blue Ridge Beef - Puppy Mix for potential salmonella.

• Hollywood Feed - Carolina Made Chicken Chips Dog Treats for potential salmonella.

• Gaines Family Farmstead - Chicken Chips Dog Treats for potential salmonella.

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Vet Recommendation — Stop Dogs From Eating Poop

Unfortunately, one of the common non-food objects dogs like to eat is poop. While it may seem gross to us, it can have behavioral, dietary, or medical causes. Here’s how to stop it:

• Improve Diet & Nutrition – Ensure your dog is on a high-quality, well-balanced diet to prevent deficiencies. A vet may recommend digestive enzyme or vitamin supplements.

• Clean Up Immediately – Removing waste right away leaves no opportunity for the behavior.

• Use Taste Deterrents – Adding vet-approved stool deterrents (like For-Bid or NaturVet Coprophagia Deterrent) can make poop taste unpleasant to dogs.

• Increase Exercise & Enrichment – A mentally and physically stimulated dog is less likely to develop bad habits.

• Train the “Leave It” Command – Teaching this command helps stop your dog from going after feces.

• Check for Medical Issues – A vet visit can help rule out underlying health concerns if the habit persists.

Treats

• 🐶 Workin Pups: Read all about a therapy dog heading to school to do good work!

• ✍️ Curated dog content: I Love Every Dog creates adorable, heartwarming, and real daily content about dogs, like this post about dogs and their drive-thru snacks.

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