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If your australian shepherd is eating everything it can become concerning quickly. Whether it’s items in your home, their own or other animals poop, toys, or rocks and dirt, you know something’s off.
So let’s get to the bottom of it.
Why Do Australian Shepherds Eat Everything:
When an australian shepherd starts eating everything in sight it can be a destructive behavior that’s caused from lack of mental and physical stimulation or anxiety. It could also be that they have an underlying health issue that’s causing them to feel hungry all the time even though they aren’t.
This post reveals:
- 7 real reasons why australian shepherds eat everything
- 5 possible dangers that can come from your aussie eating everything
- 4 tips to help your australian shepherd stop eating everything before they get hurt (Tip #2 can be a big help in breaking this habit fast!)
- And much more
Let’s jump right in.
Table of Contents
7 Reasons Why Your Australian Shepherd Eats Everything
1) Following Instincts
One reason why your australian shepherd might be eating everything is because they have an instinctual desire to do so.
As I’m sure you know, our fluffy pups are the descendants of wolves.
Which means at one point in their history, food wasn’t so readily available.
And this instinctually makes some aussies want to eat everything in sight because they aren’t sure when the next time they’ll have food will be.
Of course since they live with you there’s no need to worry about that.
But your pup may not fully understand this which makes them want to eat anything and everything.
To ensure they’re full and won’t have to worry about going hungry.
2) Overly Anxious
Another potential reason your australian shepherd is eating everything is because they may be anxious.
If your dog is constantly anxious, they may turn to food as a way to cope with their feelings.
This can often happen when there’s a lot of change happening in their environment or if they’re not getting enough exercise.
A few changes to their environment that can cause them to feel overly anxious and start eating everything are:
- Recently being adopted by new owners
- Moving into a new house in a totally different neighborhood
- A change in family structure – This could be from a loved one passing away (canine or person) or when someone new starts living in your home full time. For example, a new boyfriend/girlfriend, bringing home a newborn baby, or adopting another pet.
- A big change in daily schedule
If any of these environmental changes have happened recently, it’s not unusual for your aussie to develop anxiety.
Which then causes them to eat everything as a way of coping with their feelings.
Related Reading: Australian Shepherd Anxiety: Symptoms, Causes & Solutions
3) Their Body Isn’t Absorbing Nutrients
If your australian shepherd’s body isn’t getting the nutrients it needs, or is having difficulty absorbing them it can cause them to want to eat everything in sight.
This usually happens when they’re accidentally being fed low quality dog food.
Or, when their body is allergic to one of the ingredients in their food which makes them unable to properly absorb its nutrients.
Some of the most important nutrients for dogs are:
Protein – This is essential for muscle growth and development, as well as a healthy coat and skin.
Fat – This helps keep your pup’s energy levels up and helps their body absorb certain vitamins and minerals.
Vitamins and minerals – These are essential for overall health and help keep your pup’s body functioning properly.
If your dog isn’t getting enough of any of these nutrients, they may start to eat everything in sight as a way to try and get them from other sources.
4) Dealing With Their Boredom
Sometimes when aussies are left alone for long periods of time, they’ll start to eat everything in sight as a way to get your attention.
A bored pup is often a mischievous pup.
Even if you’re only gone for a few hours, your pup may become incredibly bored which can lead to destructive behaviors.
This is often also a sign that your aussie may not be getting as much exercise as they need.
Related Reading: 10 Best Toys To Entertain Your Dog | Boredom Buster Toys
5) Not Getting Enough Food
Even if you’re feeding your australian shepherd the recommended amount of food, they may still want to eat everything in sight.
This is often because their daily bowl of kibble isn’t enough to satisfy their hunger.
There are a few reasons why this could be happening:
They have a higher than average metabolism which causes them to burn through their food faster.
They’re very active and use up a lot of energy during the day which causes them to be hungrier than most dogs.
Or, they may have a medical condition that’s causing them to feel hungry even when they’re not.
Related Reading: Are Australian Shepherds High Maintenance? (Explained!)
6) Curiosity/Exploration
One of the reasons australian shepherds are notorious for eating everything is because they experience the world through their mouth.
For them, exploring their surroundings and tasting new things is all part of the fun.
This often leads them to eat items that they shouldn’t, which can be dangerous for their health.
While it would be great if they could pick things up like you and I do to get a better understanding of them, your pup can’t do that.
So they put everything in their mouth which usually results in them eating things they shouldn’t.
7) Underlying Health Issue
Last but not least, there’s a chance that your australian shepherd is eating everything because they have an underlying health issue.
Some of the most common health issues that lead to excessive eating are:
Pica – This is a disorder where dogs eat things that aren’t food, like dirt, rocks, and even feces.
Hypothyroidism – This is when the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormones which can cause your pup to become very hungry and gain weight.
Diabetes – This is when the body can’t properly use or store sugar which causes blood glucose levels to become too high.
Cancers – While not as common, cancers can cause dogs to either lose their appetite or start eating everything in sight.
If you suspect that your australian shepherd may have an underlying health issue, it’s important to take them to the vet for a check-up.
5 Potential Dangers When Your Australian Shepherd Eats Everything
If your australian shepherd doesn’t have an underlying health issue, they’re still at risk of harming themselves from eating everything.
Here are 5 serious dangers that can come from your aussie eating everything.
- Intestinal blockages – Stops their body from being able to digest their food properly and expel waste.
- Trying to swallow a foreign object that’s too big which causes them to choke.
- Ingesting something toxic/poisonous.
- Injuring their mouth/throat by eating something with a sharp edge.
- If eating poop – Many harmful bacteria in it that could harm them.
5 Tips To Help Your Australian Shepherd Stop Eating Everything
1) Increase Physical & Mental Stimulation
If you’ve found out that your australian shepherd doesn’t have an underlying health issue, there’s a good chance they’re doing it because they’re bored.
Which means they need more physical and mental stimulation to keep them occupied and out of trouble.
Some great ways to do this are:
Take them on longer walks/runs.
Play fetch or other games that get them moving.
Provide them with plenty of chew toys and puzzle toys to keep their mind active.
Do more training with them on a weekly basis.
Take them to dog parks or doggy daycare so they can socialize and play with other dogs.
All of these things can help wear your aussie out both physically and mentally so they’re less likely to get into trouble by eating everything.
Related Reading: 12 Best Harnesses For Australian Shepherds
2) Small Ice Cubes
While large ice cubes can damage or chip your aussie’s teeth or be a choking hazard, small ice cubes can be quite enjoyable for your pup.
Not only do they help cool your pup down and give them a bit of refreshment, but the hardness of the ice cube will help satisfy their boredom.
If you notice your australian shepherd starting to get in their ‘eat everything‘ mood again, try giving them a small ice cube to munch on.
When you do this enough it can help stop this behavior if it’s due to boredom and channel the energy toward something far less dangerous.
3) Try Changing Up Their Kibble
If your australian shepherd isn’t getting enough nutrients it’s not uncommon for them to start eating everything.
Whether it’s because they’re being fed lower quality, grain-based dog food or if they have an intolerance to one of their food’s ingredients.
Trying a food change can sometimes work to help them get the nutrients they need to stop feeling the need to eat everything.
If you do decide to try another food, always remember to switch over to the new food gradually over the course of a week.
This will help make sure their stomach doesn’t get upset from an abrupt change in their main source of food.
4) Correct Their Behavior
Don’t give a big reaction when you find your australian shepherd eating something they shouldn’t, this might encourage them to do it more.
Instead, correct their behavior by removing them from the situation and maintain a firm, low tone of voice when talking to them.
The more they learn that eating everything is no way to get your attention the less often they’ll do it when feeling bored.
5) Take Them To See a Veterinarian
Before trying these tips it’s probably best to have a veterinarian take a look at your aussie.
Because they could have an underlying health issue it’s worth having a vet check them out.
Then you can get some peace of mind if they tell you they’re perfectly fine health-wise or get the help they need to start feeling better.
If they’re in the clear and it’s nothing to do with their health, the tips above can really help put a stop to their eating everything.
Other posts you might find interesting:
8 Best Dog Beds for Australian Shepherds | Beds That Last
5 Reasons Why Australian Shepherds Get Jealous + 4 Tips
7 Fascinating Reasons Why Australian Shepherds Stare At You
Why Do Australian Shepherds Pee So Much? The Truth + Tips