If your dog eats everything it finds—its food, scraps from the floor, plants, objects, or even furniture—it's not just a "bad habit." This behavior is more common than you think and can have physical, emotional, and behavioral causes. The key is to understand if it does it out of real hunger, anxiety, or boredom, because each cause requires a different solution.
In this #MartesDeMascotas we explain each cause and whether it might be because something is not correctly meeting their basic needs.
Real hunger:
A common sign is that, after eating, it keeps looking for more food or steals food from other places. One of the most frequent reasons is that it is not receiving all the nutrients it needs, so it tries to compensate by looking for other foods, even if they are not suitable for it. This occurs when:
- The food is of low quality or poorly digestible
- It has a low protein content
- It doesn't generate a feeling of fullness
- The portion is less than what it requires according to its weight and activity
- It eats erratically
Anxiety:
Many dogs eat plants, bite different objects, even furniture, as a way to relieve their anxiety, since by chewing or eating, they release substances that generate momentary calm.
In these cases, even if it bothers you to find every plant or piece of furniture broken, don't punish it... it will only worsen its anxiety and reinforce the problem.
It is important that you understand why it does it:
- They spend many hours alone
- They have had changes in their routine
- They suffer from separation anxiety
- They are very dependent on their owner
- They have little daily stimulation
Boredom:
A dog with little physical and mental activity will look for ways to entertain itself on its own.
If it doesn't get daily walks or playtime, it may start biting objects it finds just out of boredom or excess energy without an outlet.
You'll notice it because it manifests as:
- Destruction
- Repetitive behaviors
- Eating inedible objects
- Hyperactivity indoors
Why is it dangerous for it to eat everything?
Because it can get poisoned by plants or other products, it can damage its teeth, it can obstruct its intestine, it can develop digestive disorders and even need surgery. Therefore, it is not only a behavioral problem, but also a health problem.
What can you do to prevent it from eating everything?
- Regarding food: Use complete food according to its age and size, with a high percentage of protein and fiber. Respect the recommended portions. Don't give it human food scraps. Avoid leaving food available all day; instead, have fixed mealtimes. Add pet vitamins recommended by a vet, and occasionally you can add snacks to supplement.
- Regarding physical activity: Go for walks, not just bathroom breaks. Do search or scent games. Have stable routines.
- Regarding emotions: spend more quality time with your dog, avoid yelling or punishments, provide permitted objects or toys for chewing.
Find all snacks, vitamins, and chew toys on our website:
https://www.befoods.cl/collections/juguetes-para-mascotas
https://www.befoods.cl/collections/suplemento-nutricional
https://www.befoods.cl/collections/cremosos-y-masticables-perros
Identifying the cause is the first step to helping it. Good nutrition, daily exercise, and emotional stability are the foundation for it to stop doing it.