You love your furry friend, but why does your dog have to eat everything in sight? All your plants are gone, and there are chew marks on every piece of furniture in the house. You’ve tried everything—putting away all their favorite snacks, keeping them on a leash when you’re not home, even spraying them with water when they try to eat something they’re not supposed to—but nothing seems to be working.
But don’t worry! We’re here to help. In this article, we’ll share tips and tricks to stop your dog from eating everything. With these tips in mind, you should be able to curb your pup’s scavenging habits and keep your home safe and tidy!
Why Do Dogs Eat Everything?
If your dog is eating everything, the first thing you should do is try to determine why. Once you know why your dog is eating everything, you can start to work on stopping it. Dogs have a natural instinct to scavenge and eat whatever they can find, but it can be a problem when they start raiding the garbage or eating things that aren’t good for them. There are several reasons why dogs may start eating everything, including boredom, hunger, or curiosity.
How To Stop Your Dog From Eating Everything
1. Make Sure That Their Diet Is Balanced and Healthy
Dogs need a balanced and healthy diet just like humans do, and if they’re eating everything, they can find it can be tough to make sure their diet is up to par. It’s essential to provide your dog with plenty of high-quality dog food that meets their nutritional needs. Additionally, you may want to give them additional protein or vegetables as a supplement, depending on what your vet says. By ensuring your dog’s diet is balanced and healthy, you can help reduce the chances of them raiding the garbage or eating things they shouldn’t.
2. Keep Their Food Hidden
One of the best ways to stop your dog from eating everything is to keep their food in a place where they can’t reach it. Try a high cabinet or in a locked drawer to keep them out. There are also special dog food containers that lock that can be helpful.
3. Put Away Any Food That Isn’t Meant for Dogs
If you have food in your house that isn’t meant for your dog, make sure to put it away so they can’t get to it. This includes chocolate, onions, and other foods that can be toxic to dogs.
4. Use Deterrents to Keep Dogs From Eating Everything
Using deterrents like Bitter Apple Spray is a great way to keep your dog from eating things they shouldn’t. Bitter apple spray is a substance that tastes very unpleasant to dogs and will help keep them from chewing on things like furniture, cables, or other items in your home.
How To Keep Your Dog from Eating Everything in the First Place
Prevention is always better than cure, so avoiding having your dog eat everything in the first place will save you a lot of time and effort in the long run.
Provide Plenty of Chew Toys for Them to Gnaw on Instead
If you have a dog that likes to chew on things, provide them with plenty of chew toys so they don’t start chewing on things they shouldn’t. This can help keep them from getting bored and help redirect their chewing habits.
Make Sure They Are Getting Enough Activity
Make sure your dog is getting enough exercise. A tired dog is a good dog, and if they are getting enough activity, they won’t be as likely to get bored and start raiding the garbage.
Watch for signs of hunger or thirst
Watch for signs of hunger or thirst. Within reason and with your vet’s guidance, give them additional meals or snacks throughout the day if your dog is always begging for food or seems particularly interested in what you’re eating. If they seem thirsty, make sure to increase their water intake accordingly. By providing for their basic needs, you can help reduce the chances of them raiding the garbage or eating things they shouldn’t.
What To Do if You Can’t Stop Your Dog from Eating Everything
If you’ve tried everything and are having trouble stopping your dog from eating everything, consult with your veterinarian for additional help. There are several things your veterinarian can do to help, including dietary changes, behavior modification, or medication to treat medical reasons why a dog might eat everything. Some of these include:
- Gastrointestinal issues can cause dogs to eat everything, as they may be trying to find something that will make them feel better. This includes things like stomach ulcers, intestinal parasites, or pancreatitis.
- If a dog is diabetic, they may start eating everything to try and get more sugar.
- If a dog has liver disease, they may start eating everything as their liver can no longer properly digest food.
- Dogs with Cushing’s Disease may start eating everything as they try to compensate for the increased appetite characteristic of the disease.
- Pica can cause dogs to have an almost obsessive drive to eat inedible objects like sticks, rocks, and dirt. Animals with pica are thought to be deficient in essential minerals or other nutrients.
Consult your veterinarian if you think your dog may be eating everything for medical reasons. They can run tests and determine if an underlying medical condition is causing the problem. If so, they will be able to treat your dog and help them feel better.
Is Your Dog Still Eating Everything? Call Us!
If your dog is eating everything and you’ve tried the tips listed above and talked to your vet, it’s time to get a dog trainer to help. Our experienced dog trainers at Dog Gone Amazing can help you better understand your dog’s behavior and give you additional tips on stopping them from raiding the garbage or eating things they shouldn’t. They may also be able to recommend specific deterrents or chew toys that will work best for your dog.
Want to learn more about our dog training programs? Click here!