Ask Dr. Paola – Licking, Excessive Eating & Foreign Bodies (September 29, 2025)

Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” collection, the place each Monday we carry professional recommendation straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to assist our readers higher perceive their canine’s well being and well-being.

Whether or not you’re a brand new pet mum or dad or a seasoned canine lover, Dr. Paola is right here to offer solutions to your most urgent questions. From diet suggestions and preventive care to troubleshooting widespread behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to supply insights that may hold your furry pal blissful and wholesome. Keep tuned for professional steering on a spread of matters that matter most to you and your canine, so you may make knowledgeable selections and supply the absolute best care on your canine companion. ‎Have‎ a ‎question? Send it in here!

Assist! My Canine Gained’t Cease Licking His Mattress!

“My canine Marshall gained’t cease licking his canine mattress at evening, and he lies proper beside my mattress. The sound will not be precisely the white noise sound I’d like to listen to proper earlier than I go to sleep. I’m certain he’s doing it out of consolation, and as a lot as I’d like to have him in my mattress, he will get nervous once I carry him up and desires to go down instantly. What can I do?”– Caleb

Hello Caleb,

What you might be noticing with Marshall is definitely fairly widespread. Many canine use repetitive licking as a technique to unwind, virtually like kids who hum or rock themselves earlier than falling asleep. Whereas it helps him chill out, the sound can actually make it tougher so that you can drift off, and in some instances, it might even mirror a necessity for a bit further help. Since Marshall doesn’t really feel settled in your mattress, the aim is to provide him different comforting choices that work for each of you.

A secure chew or a meals puzzle earlier than bedtime generally is a fantastic various. Chewing releases calming endorphins, very like licking does, however the exercise is normally quieter and sometimes helps canine ease into sleep extra easily. A stuffed toy that encourages light gnawing somewhat than arduous crunching is particularly helpful, because it offers Marshall the soothing impact he seeks with out the fixed sound. Including a white noise machine may assist, creating a peaceful setting the place his nighttime habits are much less noticeable.

Ensuring Marshall will get loads of train and psychological enrichment through the day will set him up for a extra restful evening. If his licking immediately turns into extra intense otherwise you discover different adjustments in his conduct, a veterinary verify is at all times smart to rule out issues like pores and skin irritation or digestive discomfort. Most frequently, although, with a number of changes to his routine, each you and Marshall can finish the day on a way more peaceable be aware. I hope this helps!

– Dr. Paola

Assist! My Canine Eats Something & Every little thing!

“My canine Indie is extraordinarily meals motivated. Though I measure his meals so he will get precisely what he wants and do my finest to ensure he doesn’t get any human meals, if he has entry to something (actually ANYTHING which may be thought of meals), he’ll eat till he’s sick and pooping in every single place. Is there a approach I can curb this conduct or assist him change his mindset about meals/consuming? He’s not aggressive about meals; I can take issues away from him no drawback (he’s a mild-hearted chihuahua rescue), simply very keen about engorging. “ – Emily

Hello Emily,

It appears like Indie’s relationship with food may be very intense, and that’s not uncommon for a rescue canine who might have confronted starvation previously. For a lot of canine, consuming rapidly and excessively turns into an instinctive survival technique, even when their wants at the moment are constantly met. Whereas we can’t erase that historical past, we can assist him really feel safe by managing his setting and channeling his love for meals in more healthy methods.

One of the best place to start out is with prevention, ensuring no meals or edible objects are left the place he can entry them. Trash bins with safe lids, sealed containers, and cautious kitchen habits are important. Since Indie is extremely meals motivated, enrichment instruments resembling puzzle feeders, snuffle mats, or stuffed toys can provide him the satisfaction of working for his meals whereas naturally slowing him down. Dividing his ration into a number of smaller meals as an alternative of two bigger ones may ease that feeling of urgency.

Most frequently, the sort of conduct is rooted in behavior and previous expertise. Nevertheless, there are medical situations that may trigger dogs to seem excessively hungry, together with diabetes mellitus, Cushing’s illness, intestinal parasites, or malabsorption issues. If Indie’s urge for food ever appears to accentuate immediately, or if you happen to discover weight adjustments regardless of managed feeding, it will be smart to have him examined to rule out these potentialities. With constant construction and a bit creativity, most canine like Indie regularly settle right into a calmer routine round meals, feeling each safe and properly cared for.
Finest,

Finest,

– Dr. Paola

Assist! My Canine Ate a Button!

“My small pet, Billie, is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and she or he ate a small button. What ought to we do?”  – Tina

Hello Tina,

When a pet eats one thing like a button, it’s at all times thought of probably harmful, as a result of objects that small can nonetheless obstruct the gastrointestinal tract. Puppies, particularly small breeds like Cavaliers, have very slim intestines, so even objects that appear tiny to us might get caught and stop meals from shifting usually. This could result in critical issues if not addressed promptly.

The most secure step is to have Billie examined by a veterinarian as quickly as attainable. Please let this be a reminder to all readers that the Ask Dr. Paola type will not be a spot for emergencies and doesn’t change veterinary care.

Relying on how lately she swallowed the button, your vet might be able to induce vomiting safely to carry it again up. If extra time has handed, they may seemingly advocate imaging, resembling X-rays, to substantiate the button’s location and resolve whether or not it may be monitored or if intervention is required. Till then, it’s best to not strive residence cures, since they’ll improve the danger of harm. As a result of overseas physique ingestion can rapidly develop into an emergency in small puppies, immediate veterinary consideration is really the most effective plan of action right here. Please don’t wait, it’s higher to be secure than sorry.

Sincerely,

– Dr. Paola

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