Some dogs will eat everything! They will chow down on whatever lands on the kitchen floor or some unidentifiable thing that smells interesting on the ground during a walk. Hopefully, it’s harmless food that didn’t make it to the dog’s bowl or a bonus piece of beef that fell off your plate. But it can also be human food dogs shouldn’t be eating or a non-food item that a veterinarian has to remove from the dog’s digestive system.
Dogs aren’t picky when it comes to what they ingest. They are happy to take advantage of any edible opportunity that appears in front of them. And for dogs, “edible” is loosely defined.
So, take a few minutes to read why your dog may be eating things off the ground and what you can do to stop it.
What is My Dog Eating?
The Things of Interest
There is not enough room to list everything a dog might be eating. In one survey, for example, dog parents reported the most bizarre non-edible objects their dogs have eaten. That list includes toilet paper, furniture cushions, an entire pizza, a set of false teeth, a bag of wet cement, and money! Some other dog owners have undoubtedly dealt with their dogs eating socks, paper items, dirt, stones, small toys, and even walls (drywall and woodworking)!
During certain times of the year, when oak trees are plentiful, dogs tend to munch on the acorns that cover large patches of ground. The acorns will act as poison if your dog eats enough of them.
Some dogs eat poop. That’s right — other dogs’, animals’, or even their own. It’s common enough to earn its own term: coprophagia.
There are also the human foods dogs should never eat, such as chocolate and caffeinated foods, grapes and raisins, and onions and garlic. Here’s a more extensive list of off-limit foods for dogs. You’ll need to get these off the floor as soon as possible.
The Risk of Illness and Injury
So many things that land in front of your dog can be problematic to your dog’s health. The off-limits foods can cause anything from a mild bellyache to a life-threatening situation. Non-foods can block or perforate intestines. Things found outside, if not toxic on their own, can be heavily coated in pesticides, parasites, and all kinds of bacteria and foreign substances.
Any veterinarian can regale you with stories of things they’ve had to remove from a dog’s gastrointestinal tract, either by inducing vomiting, gently and gradually pulling surprisingly large items out of the dog’s throat, or via surgery. Of course, you want to avoid this unpleasantness, don’t you?
Why Does My Dog Do This, and What Can I Do About It?
Sometimes you look at your dog, and you want to ask, “What were you thinking?” If only they could tell us. Fortunately, research has yielded some answers for why dogs seem to be eating anything and everything off the ground.
The Call of the Wild
It’s instinct. The wild ancestors from whence our dogs came were scavengers. So, whether the dog in question is our own dog fed every day on schedule or a stray doing whatever they can to feed themselves, they have that instinct not to pass up food (or something food-like) that suddenly makes itself available. Remember when you tripped in the kitchen, and a tasty morsel of chicken hit the floor? Your dog inhaled it before you even realized it had slipped off the plate!
Dogs in the wild sometimes pull their food away from the pack to ensure they’re getting enough to eat. So, don’t be surprised if your dog takes food out of their bowl and finds a more private spot on the floor to enjoy pieces of their meal.
Solution
- Keep the dog’s bowl in a relatively quiet area away from the hustle and bustle of the house.
- Keep your eye out for things on the floor or otherwise within reach, both inside and outside the house. Move them out of the way or act quickly if the dog gets ahold of something questionable.
- Use weapons of mass distraction! Grab their attention with high-value treats or their favorite toy while you move them away from whatever you don’t want them to have.
Dogs are Natural Explorers
Just as humans explore the world with a pair of hands, dogs, especially puppies, do so with their mouths. It’s part of their prey drive to want to pick things up. As a result, they will grab something out of curiosity and may end up swallowing it unintentionally.
Recently, our little eight-pound puppy found a foam ear plug on the floor. It was just the right size to be a choking hazard, but luckily, we quickly got it out of her mouth!
Solution
- Provide physical and mental activity. Give them safe and acceptable things to explore.
- Teach them the “Leave it!” and “Drop it!” commands.
All Dogs Exhibit a Natural Scavenging Behavior
In some instances, the problem is the result of a nutritional imbalance. Some dogs are being fed foods that are missing essential minerals and vitamins. Either they were never there, or they were destroyed in the cooking process.
As natural scavengers, dogs will, when necessary, turn to their environment to fill the void. They’ll go looking for whatever they can get their paws on. A dog may eat grass or dirt because it contains missing nutrients, like fiber.
Solution
- Review the nutritional labels on your dog’s food packages. If needed, switch to higher-quality food.
- Volhard Dog Nutrition’s Natural Diet Foundation 2 provides a fully balanced diet that satisfies all your dog’s dietary needs. They will not feel compelled to scavenge for supplements on the street anymore.
The Battle of the Food Bowl
You may be surprised to learn that the problem can be the dog’s bowl. If eating from it is stressful, they may take food out and eat it from the floor.
A dog can learn to create a negative association with the food bowl. For example, if your dog reaches into the food bowl to eat, and their metal dog tags constantly rattle against the side of the metal bowl, the dog may associate eating from the bowl with a disturbing sound. As a result, they will stop eating from that bowl. Also, the bowl may not be at a comfortable level for your dog.
Solution
- Switch to plastic or ceramic bowls to alleviate the noise problem.
- If needed, raise or lower the bowl to put it in a more comfortable position.
The Depths of Boredom
If there’s not much to do, why not eat that thing on the ground that got your attention? Bored dogs get into all kinds of mischief.
Solution
- Ensure your dog has plenty of mental and physical stimulation to occupy their time.
Can Training Stop a Dog’s “Eat Anything” Approach?
Yes, there is hope!
The Power of the Pet Parent
In addition to distracting your dog and removing the unwanted items from their view and reach, you can teach your dog to leave things alone using the “Leave it!” and “Drop it!” commands:
- Start with a favorite toy.
- Wait for the dog to grab the toy while you keep holding it.
- Let the dog smell some high-value treats.
- When the dog releases the toy, give the command and a treat.
- Repeat several times.
Does Your Dog Manifest Behavioral Issues? K9 Basics Can Help!
If you have a particularly stubborn dog (they know who they are, yes, they do!), or your work schedule leaves you little time for training, call in the professionals. Dog trainers like our capable team at K9 Basics can teach your dog to leave unacceptable things alone. No more grabbing what drops on the floor faster than you can blink. No more foraging in your garbage can or making a meal of that unidentifiable thing on the side of the street.
We will also teach you how to maintain that healthy behavior. You’re the pack leader, after all. We want your dog to live a safe and healthy life with you for years to come.
We invite you to contact us and make an appointment. Give us a call at (866) 592-2742 or, if you’re from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, or New York, visit us at 131 Kenilworth Road, Marlton, New Jersey 08053, to learn more about our dog training services. Also, browse our blog and social media for various topics about dogs and their lives with us!
References
- Samuel, Ninis. “Your Dog Ate What? True Stories of Crazy Things Dogs Have Eaten.” BarkHappy, Ninis Samuel http://barkhappy.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/barkhappy_logo2_small.png, 22 Feb. 2017, barkhappy.com/dog-ate-crazy-true-stories-things-dogs-ate/. Accessed 1 Feb. 2023.
- “People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets.” ASPCA, www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets. Accessed 1 Feb. 2023.
- “Why Does My Dog Eat Everything on Walks?: Hill’s Pet.” Hill’s Pet Nutrition, www.hillspet.com/dog-care/behavior-appearance/my-dog-eats-everything-on-walks. Accessed 1 Feb. 2023.