Lignophagia

Lignophagia is the abnormal behaviour of chewing and eating wood.[1] It has been recorded in several species, but perhaps most commonly in horses where it is usually called, simply, "wood chewing". Lignophagia is a form of the pica disorder, in which normally non-nutritive substances are chewed or eaten. For some animals, wood is the normal primary food source; such animals are known as xylophagous.

Wood-chewing may cause serious damage to wooden fences and stalls

A related stereotypy in horses is cribbing, where a horse grabs a board or other edged object with its teeth, arches its neck and sucks in air. While this activity may cause some tooth marks on the surface used, this is not the same disorder as lignophagia.

Etymology

Lignophagia is derived from the Latin lignum, meaning "wood", and the Greek phago, meaning "to eat".

In horses

Horses often gnaw on wood rails, fences or boards as if they were food.[2] This has been linked with dietary deficiencies, and often can be remedied with a balanced diet or dietary supplementation[3] Lignophagia in horses can be a cause of colic due to the ingestion of wood splinters.[3] and in severe cases, can cause excessive wearing and deterioration of the teeth.[4] A related vice is cribbing, wherein the horse grabs a wood board and sucks in air; not all wood-chewing is cribbing and though cribbing may also result in chewing on the wood surface, the two vices are not identical.[5]

Colic can be a consequence of wood chewing due to the ingestion of wood splinters.[3] Both cribbing and wood chewing can cause excessive wearing and deterioration of the teeth in severe cases.[4] Horses displaying these behaviors may be less desirable to potential buyers and may be devalued as a consequence.[6]

Wood chewing also is destructive to barns and fences, sometimes requiring costly repairs and ongoing maintenance.

Wood chewing has been linked with dietary deficiencies, and often can be remedied with a balanced diet or dietary supplementation.[3] Some cases are thought to be linked to boredom or anxiety, often related to confinement.

In dogs

Dogs sometimes eat wood which can have negative consequences. Sometimes they will chew the furniture of their owners meaning items must be replaced. Splinters may lodge in the mouth, gums or tongue, causing a depressed appetite. The wood can perforate or block the oesophagus or the intestine, often requiring surgery. Chemically treated wood can result in poisoning.[7] A potential cause for Lignophagia in dogs is being confined in an area with wet wood and having a diet lacking in proper nutrition.[8]

In humans

Humans sometimes chew or eat wood, e.g. pencils.[9] In humans, eating wood is sometimes referred to as xylophagia.

References
  1. Broom, D.M.; Fraser, A.F. (2015). Domestic Animal Behaviour and Welfare (5 ed.). CABI.
  2. Litva, A.; Robinson, C. S.; Archer, D. C. (2010). "Exploring lay perceptions of the causes of crib-biting/windsucking behaviour in horses". Equine Veterinary Journal. 42 (4): 288–93. doi:10.1111/j.2042-3306.2009.00025.x. PMID 20525045.
  3. Green, P.; Tong, J. (1988). "Small intestinal obstruction associated with wood chewing in two horses". Veterinary Record. 123 (8): 196–8. doi:10.1136/vr.123.8.196. PMID 3176272. S2CID 41428502.
  4. Dixon, P.M.; Dacre, I (2005). "A review of equine dental disorders". Veterinary Journal. 169 (2): 165–187. doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2004.03.022. PMID 15727909.
  5. Valcarcel, M. (2016). "Cribbing in horses: A surgical approach to treatment". Monmouth Junction. 47: E4–E5.
  6. Cooper, J.J.; Mason G.J. (1998). "The identification of abnormal behaviour and behavioural problems in stabled horses and their relationship to horse welfare: a comparative review". Equine Veterinary Journal. 30: Supplementary 27, 5–9. doi:10.1111/j.2042-3306.1998.tb05136.x. PMID 10484995.
  7. Sarah's Dogs (2012). "Why do dogs eat wood?". Retrieved September 6, 2013.
  8. Ronnie Lawson-Jones (2020). "Dogs and Wood Chewing". Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  9. Borboa, M. (2011). "Weird eating behaviors". Retrieved September 6, 2013.
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