Dogs exhibit a wide range of unusual behaviors and habits. Dogs keep us guessing and laughing with their antics ranging from chasing their tails to sniffing each other's buttocks. An abnormal eating habit, on the other hand, is no laughing matter. Consuming clothing, such as socks and underwear, can result in a serious gastrointestinal obstruction.
What causes my dog to eat my underwear?
Pica is a term that describes the compulsion to consume non-food items that have no nutritional value. Humans, dogs, cats, and other animals are affected by the condition.
Why Do Some Puppies Consume Poop?
Dogs use their noses to explore the world. Dogs have a highly evolved olfactory system that allows them to smell far better than humans. When they come across something that strongly resembles a family member, they are drawn to it. Even clean underwear can have lingering human odors that dogs pick up on.
Dogs frequently greet humans by pressing their noses against their crotch. In that area, humans have active sweat glands that produce pheromones and other scents. Smelling a person teaches dogs a lot about them. The same logic holds true for your underwear.
When your dog discovers a pair of underwear, he may lick and chew the fabric in order to investigate or play with it. As repulsive as it may sound, the dog may enjoy the smell and taste. Some dogs will simply chew on the underwear, while others will ingest it.
While eating underwear is a form of pica in dogs, it has some underlying causes.
Smell Curiosity/Attraction
Boredom
Resource guarding: Some dogs eat underwear because they value it and want to keep it safe from others.
Teething (puppies)
Anxiety
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
a medical problem or a nutritional deficiency
The Issue With Consuming Underwear
Aside from the obvious gross-out factor and the loss of your skivvies, dogs can suffer from serious health problems if they consume underwear. Fabric cannot be digested in the stomach; instead, the body attempts to expel or pass it. Your dog may vomit up all or part of his underwear. However, there is a risk that the underwear will become trapped in the gastrointestinal tract and cause an obstruction. This is a serious condition that necessitates immediate veterinary care.
Vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and lethargy are all possible early signs of a GI obstruction. The abdomen may become sore and/or bloated. If you notice these signs and suspect your dog has eaten something poisonous, take him to the nearest open veterinarian as soon as possible.
Radiographs or ultrasounds may be used to detect a GI obstruction. If this is the case, the foreign body must be removed. If the foreign body is in the stomach, endoscopy may be used to remove it. Intestinal blockages necessitate abdominal surgery.
If you notice your dog attempting to eat your underwear or any other inappropriate items, contact your veterinarian. Before attempting to correct the behavior, it is critical to rule out any medical or nutritional causes. If you know your dog has recently consumed a pair of underwear, your veterinarian may be able to administer a medication that will cause them to vomit up.
How to Prevent Dogs from Eating Your Underwear
The best way to prevent your dog from eating your underwear is to keep clothing out of your dog's reach. Laundry should be kept in a closed hamper or bin. Clean laundry should be stored in drawers and closets before your dog can steal it from the laundry basket.
Take steps to make your dog's environment more interesting and to alleviate boredom. Spend time with your dog exercising and bonding. Think about interactive dog toys, tasty dog chews, and even dog sports to keep his mind and body busy. Take long walks with him, allowing him to thoroughly sniff around. Change your route on a regular basis to expose yourself to new smells, sights, and sounds.
Training can also help you control your dog's underwear-eating behavior. Work on cues like "drop it" and "leave it" so you can stop your dog when you catch him trying to eat something bad. If your dog does not obey, use positive reinforcement instead of punishment. Redirect your dog's attention to a toy or game. Reward him for his efforts in diverting his attention away from his underwear (or other "bad" item).
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