4 of the strangest pet eating habits
Sometimes our pets have a strange understanding of what counts as food. Despite us providing the best for them, some still have an appetite for dirt, garbage, lawn clippings or even, dare we say it, faeces. If your pet is prone to nibbling any of these, you’re probably thinking is it normal? Can it hurt them? And what do I need to know? We go through the four strangest pet eating habits and what you should do about it.
Dirt
A dog digging and sniffing around the backyard? Completely normal. Eating mud pies all the time? Not so good for your pooch. While the occasional mouthful of dirt isn’t harmful, if your doggie has a penchant for dirt it could cause a variety of health problems. Dirt may contain faecal matter, parasites and particles all which could damage teeth, erode the intestinal lining and potentially cause blockages.
Grass
If your kitty loves munching on grass only to throw it all up minutes later then you are not alone. It’s a favourite pastime for many felines and fortunately won’t harm your cat. It’s not exactly known why cats love to graze on grass but some theories suggest it’s a natural laxative to counteract cases of indigestion. Having swallowed indigestible hair while grooming, a nibble on some grass can induce vomit to effectively clean out your cat’s stomach. Just make sure they aren’t eating any poisonous plants.
Faeces
Although the thought is quite disgusting to us, it’s quite common for dogs to occasionally eat their own faeces. It’s not necessarily a sign that anything is wrong and is often quite harmless. If worried, consult your veterinarian. Some pets, like rabbits, actually need to eat their own poop. They don’t eat all their faeces but eat a specific pellet called cecotropes, which is expelled from their behind.
Pica (non-food items)
Eating non-food items is called pica and can be one of the most dangerous eating habits. While it may seem strange to us, for many animals such as cats and dogs, it is just part of their play behaviour. To them, eating their playthings feels natural. However, it can be dangerous when your fur baby eats up one of your forgotten hair ties or the garbage from the bin. Make sure there are plenty of safe play toy for them but if they continue to eat all your socks, visit your vet. There may be a behavioural issue to address.