Are you new paw parents? If yes then the one thought that must have occupied your mind is, “My puppy eats everything outside”. Normally this is not an issue worth worrying but there can be some serious consequences to this if not paid attention.
No need to worry, we through our blog will try to relieve your stress, by providing you with all the information. We will help you know why your puppy eats everything outside and the risks associated with it.
My Puppy Eats Everything Outside
If your puppy is eating everything and anything[1] from the surroundings then you might be worried about them. Here’s the reason behind your puppy’s such behaviour:
Curious exploration
Puppies are known for their curious behaviour and they tend to lick everything out of curiosity. Puppies have a strong desire to explore their surroundings and the one way through which they do this is through their mouth.
However, this behaviour in puppies is quite normal and if the required precautions are taken then it may not cause any harm to the puppies. Puppies use their mouth to taste and investigate the objects around them. They get curious about the plants and tend to eat them to explore.
This curious habit of your puppy is an essential part of their growth and development. This curious exploration helps the puppies learn about the environment and grow naturally.
Teething
Puppies go through the natural cycle of growth and in this phase of growth teething is an important aspect. In this process of teething the dogs tend to chew objects and things around to provide their gums relief.
During this teething phase, the puppies get a strong urge to chew. This uncontrollable urge makes them chew everything they see and find. There are potential solutions available like chewing toys which prevent your puppy from chewing any harmful object.
As mentioned by Jeannine Berger, DVM, DACVB, DACAW, CAWA in petmd, "Puppies lose their puppy teeth and grow permanent replacements when they’re between 12 weeks and 6 months old. They have 28 puppy teeth, and then 42 permanent teeth will erupt. This can be a painful time for your pet—and when he’ll want to chew on almost anything he can get his mouth around."
Scavenging instinct
Puppies have this scavenging natural instinct that they inherit from their ancestors. This instinct of theirs makes them attracted to things like scrap food items, decaying matter and animal faeces. The scavenging instinct makes them opportunistic feeders.
Due to this instinct puppies chew all the rubbish which is harmful to their health. Chewing these scraps can make them sick and even lead to serious infection too. If your puppy is chewing this faeces and decaying objects then make sure you stop them to avoid the danger.
Stress
Stress, boredom and anxiety can make your puppies chew things. As the puppies are at the stage of growth they can easily be stressed out. The change in place, adaptation to new life and with new people, noises in the surroundings can easily make the puppy anxious.
Thus they chew the objects to cope with this stress and anxiety. As they do not know the difference between what to eat and what not, they often consume harmful objects. To provide your puppy relief from the stress make sure you are there for them and provide them with enough love and care.
Risks of Puppy Eating Everything Outside
Here are the potential risks associated with your puppy eating everything outside:
Intestinal blockage
If your puppy is eating everything outside there are chances that he may consume something that can cause blockage. Puppies do not have the full set of grown teeth which prevents them from chewing many objects, especially the hard ones.
These objects when consumed by puppies get stuck in the intestine leading to intestinal blockage in them. The issue of intestinal blockage is quite serious in dogs and can harm them by giving rise to digestive issues. In many cases, the blockage requires surgery for the removal of the object from the puppy’s intestine.
Infection
Eating habits of the dog can lead to infection in your puppy and some infections like parasitic infection, and lungworm infection in them. Consuming animal faeces makes your puppy come in contact with harmful bacteria present in it.
Decaying matter includes decomposing animals which are easy sites of many harmful bacteria and viruses. If your puppy eats this decaying material then they too get infected by this virus.
Dental issues
There are several dental issues that affect the puppy due to this curious habit of eating anything they see around. If your puppy eats hard rock, metal pieces or glass pieces then it will lead to severe dental injury to them.
If your puppy ingests these substances then it can cause internal injuries. Your puppy’s oesophagus and digestive tract might be affected due to this. The risk of internal puncture wounds, gum bleeding and extraction of teeth is high if your puppy consumes these sharp objects.
Dietary Solutions for Puppy’s Nutritional Needs
Here are the dietary solutions for your puppy’s nutritional needs:
- Provide your puppy with nutritional and high-quality food. If all the dietary expectations of your puppy are met then they are less likely to eat the objects around.
- Feed your puppy the correct food according to their age and weight. If necessary consult the vet and seek their guidance regarding your puppy’s nutritional requirements. Different agr the nutritional requirement and appetite of your puppy changes. So if you don’t change your diet accordingly they will remain hungry making them eat whatever they see.
- Puppies have a high metabolism which makes them hungry frequently. This is why puppies are required to be fed more often than adult dogs.
- Establish a proper feeding routine for your puppy and follow it thoroughly. Doing this will help your puppy control their sudden urge to eat.
- If your puppy is teething provide them with chewing toys or raw vegetables like carrots. This will make them stop chewing other objects ensuring their safety.
FAQs
My puppy eats everything outside
Puppies frequently use their lips to find out anything they come across. They learn about their surroundings through taste and texture, therefore this behaviour is an ordinary part of their growth. Be careful your dog doesn’t consume anything dangerous, though.
At what age do puppies stop eating everything?
By six months of age, puppies usually lose the habit of eating everything since they have finished teething and no longer feel a need to chew on items. This, however, may differ based on the particular dog and breed. Some dogs, especially those from mouthy breeds like Labrador and Golden Retrievers, might continue in this activity throughout their first year of life.
Should I let my puppy eat things off the ground?
Allowing your dog to chew objects from the ground is usually not a smart idea. Puppy discovery with their mouths is normal, but consuming items from the outside world can come with various concerns, including poisoning, choking hazards, and exposure to germs and parasites.
Why is my 5 month old puppy always hungry?
If your five-month-old puppy is constantly hungry then the main reason behind it can be their rapid growth. As the puppies grow rapidly so will their appetite making them hungry, as they need more calories. The other reason why your puppy might be hungry is that you might not be providing them with a sufficient quantity of food to eat. Make sure you provide your puppy with the proper required amount of food to eat.
Should I give my puppy more food if he seems hungry?
If your puppy seems hungry all the time then it is often the issue to not worry much about. Puppies and dogs are in general foodie and no amount of food can satisfy their hunger, but if your puppy is hungry even after feeding a sufficient amount of food then it can be an issue worth worrying about.
Conclusion
We whole through our blog, “My puppy eats everything outside” we have made you aware about puppies this behaviour. While this behaviour of your puppy is absolutely normal and common, you just need to monitor your puppy. If your puppy is teething make sure you keep all the dangerous things out of their reach.
If you suspect that your puppy has ingested something risky then consult a vet immediately. The key to handling your puppy’s behaviour is patience and proper training.
Reference:
- Help! My dog eats everything, what should I do? | Broad Street Veterinary Hospital | Richmond. (2021, June 15).
