Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Blanket and flank sucking behavior in Doberman Pinschers explained
By Moon-Fanelli, Alice A et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2007·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Blanket and flank sucking in Doberman Pinschers.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of Doberman Pinschers was observed for unusual behaviors like sucking on blankets or their own flanks. These behaviors can be linked to a condition called pica, where dogs eat non-food items. The study found that dogs exhibiting these sucking behaviors often had a higher chance of developing pica compared to those that didn't suck. If your dog is showing these behaviors, it's important to talk to your veterinarian, as they can lead to health issues. Treatment options may be necessary for dogs that are severely affected or have related medical problems.
People also search for: Doberman sucking blanket behavior · dog pica treatment · why does my dog suck on blankets · compulsive behaviors in dogs · flank sucking in dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate blanket and flank sucking and any association with pica in Doberman Pinschers. DESIGN: Survey and case-control study. ANIMALS: 153 Doberman Pinschers (77 dogs with blanket or flank sucking and 76 unaffected dogs). PROCEDURES: Owners of Doberman Pinschers with blanket sucking, flank sucking, or both were surveyed regarding the age of onset, triggers, frequency, duration, interruptability, and associated medical and behavioral consequences. A putative association of blanket sucking and flank sucking with pica was examined by comparison of affected dogs with unaffected dogs. RESULTS: Apart from the difference in the object of oral activity between blanket and flank suckers, age of onset was the only variable that differed between dogs with the 2 conditions. Dogs with blanket or flank sucking had a higher prevalence of pica than the unaffected population. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Blanket and flank sucking are apparently related conditions that can occur with sufficient intensity to cause medical sequelae. These nonnutritive suckling behaviors share similarities with other canine compulsive disorders and are associated with pica. Veterinarians should advise owners that flank and blanket sucking are abnormal, potentially harmful behaviors in dogs. Treatment should be considered for severely affected dogs or when flank or blanket sucking is associated with medical problems.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17867975/