How to Treat Canine Pica

Canine pica requires symptomatic treatment based on the determination of the cause. If the pica is caused by the dog's own behavioral habits, patient education is necessary. If the pica is caused by internal parasite infection, regular deworming is required for the dog. If it is caused by skin diseases or external parasites, the dog's skin should be checked and external deworming should be done accordingly. If it is caused by a single diet and lack of trace elements, the dog's diet structure should be adjusted and trace elements should be supplemented in a timely manner.

Gradual Education

If your dog only occasionally eats feces, it may be related to their inherent behavioral habits. In this case, gradual education is needed. When you find your dog eating feces or other foreign objects, immediately stop them and make them aware that this behavior is wrong.

Regular Deworming

When there are a large number of parasites in a dog's body, it can lead to metabolic disorders and thus cause pica symptoms. In this case, regular deworming is required for the dog. It is generally recommended to perform internal deworming every three months and external deworming every month. The deworming method can be carried out according to the instructions of the deworming drug or follow the advice of a pet veterinarian.

Solving Skin Problems

If your dog constantly bites its tail or body, consider whether it is caused by skin diseases or external parasites. In this case, the owner needs to carefully inspect the dog's skin, address any issues in a timely manner, and perform external deworming.

Ensuring Balanced Nutrition

If a dog's diet is relatively monotonous, it is prone to picky eating and ingesting other substances. In the long run, this can lead to imbalanced nutrition and deficiency of trace elements, causing pica. In this case, it is necessary to promptly supplement trace elements for the dog and adjust its diet. You can also occasionally mix fruits or yogurt into the dog's food to add new flavors.

Note: If canine pica is not treated, it can lead to selective eating, severe loss of appetite, and even malnutrition in the long run.