Expanding Taste
Some dogs develop a taste for the stool of other
pets, such as cat feces. The same approach applies
to these variations of Coprophagia.
- Prevent access to the feces of other animals
by being vigilant during leash walks.
- Make your cat's litter box, placing the box
on an elevated surface, installing a cat door,
or opening the room door just enough to allow
the cat in or out.
Eating Grass and Other Plants
Ingestion of inappropriate items (pica) is seen
in diseased and apparently healthy individuals.
Plants may be an occasional and normal part of a
pet's diet. Pets may be attracted to both indoor
and outdoor plants.
Oral investigation (tasting, chewing, and possibly
swallowing) is common in young cats and dogs. Although,
it usually subsides in mature animals, taste preferences
may persist. Cats are primarily carnivores (meat
eaters) but occasionally eat plants, even in the
wild. A pet may also eat plant material if it feels
nauseated. This is not specific sign of intestinal
parasitism. Though a pet with internal parasites
may feel ill enough to eat lawn grass, pets with
worms do not necessarily eat grass or anything strange.
Similarly, pets with other unrelated medical problems
may eat grass.
Although eating lawn grass is not usually harmful,
report this to your veterinarian if it becomes excessive
or is accompanied by other changes in your pet.
If the grass has been treated with chemicals, such
as organophosphate or carbamate pesticides, poisoning
is possible. Ingestion of nontoxic plants, such
as grass, can produce mild gastrointestinal upset
by mechanical irritation of the digestive tract.
The fact that vomiting follows ingestion does not
mean the plant is poisonous. Contact your veterinarian
to be sure of your pet's safety.
House pets can destroy ornamental plants, often
creating quite a mess in the process. Carefully
remove plants to an elevated surface or to another
location to prevent access. For example, hang plants
out of reach, keep branches well trimmed, or replace
houseplants with cacti. If cats seem particularly
attracted to specific plants or foliage types, replace
these plants with others that are less tempting.
You may also decide to leave nontoxic plant as an
intentional lure away from your favorite foliage.
You might plant a small box of catnip with seeds
available from most pet stores.
Many plants are poisonous to both cats and dogs.
Household and outdoor plants and trees may cause
signs ranging from mild gastrointestinal upset to
respiratory arrest and death. Some vegetation is
so toxic that even small quantities may be very
dangerous.
A partial listing of nontoxic ornamental houseplant
is included for your convenience. Contact your veterinarian
for details.
Stone Chewing
Stone chewing by dogs is probably a form of play,
but it can be harmful to a pet's health. Teeth may
be broken or worn, exposing the sensitive pulp and
leading to pain or infection.
Stones may be accidentally eaten. Small stones
may pass through the length of the bowel without
consequence. Larger stones may lacerate the intestinal
wall or obstruct passage of food, resulting in severe
illness, the need for abdominal surgery, and possibly
death.
Although your dog may enjoy this activity, it is
wise to discourage it by redirecting attention to
safer toys (balls, rawhide chew toys). Keep the
dog on a leash or closely supervise it in rocky
areas.
