Reasons Why Dogs Can't Digest Hair: The Science Behind

Ever wonder where all that fur comes from? Why can cats regurgitate fur balls, but dogs can't? Today's article delves into the mysteries of the fur that dogs ingest.

These seemingly mundane hairs can inadvertently end up in a dog's digestive system, such as the shedding fur from their own bodies. But let's delve deeper into the common ways these hairs find their way inside.

Neglect in Grooming

Every dog sheds, and longhaired breeds are more prone to hair buildup within their systems. While shorthaired dogs fare a bit better, they still require regular grooming by their owners.

How do these hairs end up inside? They float in the air, they end up in the dog's food bowl, and sometimes, they're inadvertently ingested as the dog licks itself.

Inadequate Exercise

Dogs need adequate daily exercise, not just to stay healthy but also to prevent boredom. When dogs are bored, they tend to lick themselves, and with that comes the risk of hair entering their bodies.

Insufficient Sleep

While rare, insufficient sleep can lead to restlessness in dogs. To cope with this unease, they might chew, bite, and lick their bodies, including their paws, to release negative emotions.

External Parasites

The dangers of fleas and ticks are wellknown. For dogs, these external parasites can trigger the urge to chew to relieve itching, and with that, hair can accidentally enter their bodies. Regular deworming is crucial.

Excessive Licking

Occasional licking of their own paws or bodies is normal for dogs. However, when this behavior becomes compulsive, hair can be ingested. Excessive licking can be due to various reasons, such as dry skin in winter, which can cause itching and lead to relentless licking, even in summer.

These are just a few common examples. There are many unforeseen situations, such as dogs ingesting other dogs' fur during play. So, remember:

The more hair a dog ingests, the more water it absorbs, leading to dehydration and a loss of appetite.

Dogs may also experience diarrhea, constipation, drowsiness, vomiting, and even persistent coughing, much like cats with fur balls, but dogs can't expel anything.

With that in mind, let's focus on another significant way dogs ingest fur: snacks made from animal tissues, like rabbit ears.

Should you give your dog rabbit ears? The concern isn't with the rabbit ears themselves, but with the fur on them. Some say the fur aids in digestion, but many believe it's of no benefit and could even block the intestines.

Rabbit ears are a great treat, mostly made of cartilage with low fat content, so you don't have to worry about them causing blockages. However, when it comes to the fur, we should consider multiple perspectives.

Firstly, if a dog consumes a small amount of rabbit ears, the fur, being difficult to absorb, will simply pass through the intestines,刺激肠道蠕动，as some retailers claim helps digestion.

But for dogs that are inactive, have poor digestive function, or are small in size, they may not reap the supposed benefits of the fur.

Moreover, if a dog consumes an excessive amount of rabbit ears or other furry treats, hair will inevitably accumulate in their bodies.

Domestic retailers may aim to sell as many rabbit ears as possible, but research from abroad shows that many manufacturers of animal tissue snacks provide feeding guidelines: 23 rabbit ears per week for large breeds, and 1 for small breeds.

Why do some dogs with excessive hair in their systems experience diarrhea, while others suffer from constipation?

This is related to the dog's digestive abilities, which vary from one dog to another. Therefore, the symptoms they exhibit after ingesting hair can differ significantly.