Rover reveals the real reason why dogs eat our homework
London, May 2024: New research from Rover.com, today reveals that a whopping 73% of dogs exhibit pica behaviour – a compulsive urge to eat non-food items, which can cause serious harm to our four-legged friends.
It seems the ‘my dog ate my homework’ excuse may be more credible than some might think, with paper (43%) the most commonly ingested item, along with toilet roll (36%), their own dog toys (32%) and plants (27%). Other more unusual objects dogs have developed an appetite for include: cushions (13%) and stones (13%).
The top 10 most common items dogs ingest:
- Paper (43%)
- Toilet roll (36%)
- Dog toys (32%)
- Plants (27%)
- Wood (26%)
- Plastic (23%)
- Socks (21%)
- Children’s toys (17%)
- Their own bed (16%)
- Cushions (13%)
In fact, more than half (66%) of pet parents say they’ve had to remove certain items from their home or lock these objects away (67%), for fear of their dog eating them. Meanwhile, 42% admit they have felt unable to leave their dog alone, while 1 in 3 (32%) pet parents have even installed cameras to keep an eye on their dogs – desperate to ensure they’re not snacking on any shoes or sofas while they are out.
Yet, despite this being a common behaviour in dogs, only a third (33%) of pet parents claim to have heard of pica, with nearly half (48%) unaware of the potentially dangerous outcomes. In fact, these forbidden treats can lead to a host of health consequences, with vomiting (61%) and diarrhoea (41%) some of the most commonly reported symptoms.
Half of pet parents (49%) admit they blame this behaviour on their pup’s mischievous nature or desire for attention (29%), while 14% simply claim their dog is barking mad. However, 42% confess they have no idea what causes their dog to do this, admitting they feel clueless on how to make them stop.
According to the survey, Pomeranian’s (91%) are the breed most likely to exhibit this behaviour, closely followed by Corgi’s (90%) and French Bulldogs (85%).
The top 10 breeds of dogs displaying pica behaviour:
- Pomeranian (91%)
- Corgi (90%)
- French Bulldog (85%)
- Golden Retriever (84%)
- Cocker Spaniel (82%)
- Dachshund (81%)
- Labrador Retriever (78%)
- German Shepherd (78%)
- Husky (77%)
- Border Collie (77%)
Adem Fehmi, Rover’s Canine Behaviourist comments: “Any dog, regardless of breed or background, can develop pica due to factors like boredom, anxiety, or a lack of proper enrichment. However, when they continually receive a reactive response from their owner, this can develop into an obsessive-compulsive habit.”
“With this in mind, try to avoid unintentionally rewarding behaviours you don’t want to see or those that will promote your dog ingesting an item. If your dog picks up an item you don’t want them to have, then stay calm and composed and avoid running after them, moving quickly, shouting, or using other tones of voices that indicate that this is a ‘big deal’. This can unintentionally worsen the behaviour.”
“Instead, calmly move towards them and take control of the situation or look to diffuse the situation – this could be by popping your dog on a lead and moving them away or offering a ‘swap’ with a high value food item or loved play toy. Meanwhile, ensure you provide your dog with plenty of exercise and mental stimulation, and always create a safe space for your dog when you can’t supervise. In order to solve the issue long-term, seek the help of an experienced and accredited behaviourist to help address the problem. By implementing these strategies, we can keep our furry friends safe and happy.”
Rover.com is committed to raising awareness about pica in dogs and empowering pet owners with the knowledge to prevent this potentially harmful behaviour. To find out more, visit:
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Notes to Editors
A Rover survey of 1,000 UK dog parents conducted via Pollfish in May 2024.
About Rover:
Founded in 2011 and operating in ten countries, Rover® is the world’s largest online marketplace for loving pet care. Rover connects dog and cat owners with loving pet care whenever they need it. Millions of services have been booked on Rover, including pet sitting, dog walking, in-home boarding, drop-in visits, and doggy day care. To learn more about Rover, please visit https://www.rover.com/uk/ or see our press room here: https://www.rover.com/uk/blog/press/
For more information, please contact: rover@brands2life.com / 020 7592 1200