Don’t drop anything

From socks to slippers and necklaces to knickers, our pets can – and sometimes do – eat the strangest of things. But what makes them think gravel will make for a scrumptious snack, or toys a tasty treat?

PDSA vet nurse Nina Downing says: “Dogs eating things they shouldn’t is more common than you might think. The name for this condition is Pica – a term used to describe the persistent chewing or eating of items which have no nutritional value. The name comes from a Medieval Latin name for magpie.

“Pica can be difficult to understand, and it’s thought that stress, anxiety or changes in the world around our pets, can set it off. In some cases, because dogs explore their environment with their mouths, they can even accidentally swallow the things they pick up.”

“Chewing is a natural behaviour for dogs so as owners we need to make sure the toys and chews they have access to are undamaged, can’t be swallowed and don’t pose a risk if eaten.

Nina adds: “Dogs are intelligent animals and get bored easily. They might fill their time by chewing on things in the home and accidently swallow something they shouldn’t in the process. “

To avoid this happening, make sure your dog understands a few simple commands like “leave” and “drop” so if you see them going for something that could be dangerous to them you can stop this, even if you are some distance away.

Keep risky items safely out of reach, as well as those your dog is particularly fond of – you might even need to keep items in a locked cupboard.

Keep your dog entertained with healthy treats, toys and stimulating games to keep their minds focused on positive things and not eating potentially dangerous items.

If your dog gobbles things up on walks and hasn’t learnt the ‘drop’ or ‘leave’ command yet, a muzzle can help to keep them safe.