Pica Behavior in Camels and Nutritional Prevention: The PICAMEL Approach

Camels are well known for their high tolerance to extreme climatic conditions. However, especially in camels raised for racing, transport, or production purposes, behavioral feeding disorders may occasionally occur.

The most common of these disorders is pica behavior. Pica is characterized by the ingestion of non-nutritive substances such as soil, stones, bones, fabric, tree bark, or metal.

Pica is often not merely a habit, but rather a physiological signal of deficiency.

Camels exhibit this behavior primarily under conditions of metabolic imbalance or inadequate vitamin–mineral nutrition.

 

What Is Pica and Why Does It Occur?

Pica typically develops as a result of nutritional deficiencies, metabolic stress, or prolonged feeding with monotonous rations. Camels fed long-term diets deficient in salt, minerals, or fiber attempt to compensate for unmet nutritional needs by consuming elements from their environment.

Commonly observed signs include:

• Licking or consuming sand, soil, or stones,
• Chewing bones or wooden materials,
• Gnawing on sacks, fabric, or plastic objects,
• Reduced appetite and digestive disturbances,
• Constipation, colic, or intestinal obstruction.

This behavior negatively affects not only digestive health but also liver function and electrolyte balance.

 

Biological Basis of Pica

The underlying cause of pica behavior is most often micro-mineral deficiency. Imbalances in elements such as phosphorus, calcium, zinc, copper, and iron can trigger abnormal appetite responses via the nervous system.

In addition, the following factors may exacerbate behavioral instability:

• Prolonged heat stress,
• Transport-related fatigue,
• Insufficient energy and protein intake,
• Disruption of digestive microflora.

As a result, camels develop a tendency to chew and ingest non-food materials.

 

PICAMEL:

A Scientific Solution to Pica Behavior in Camels

Developed by Retrovet R&D, PICAMEL is a multi-functional complementary feed additive designed to address the root causes of pica behavior in camels. The formulation supports mineral balance, stabilizes the digestive system, and

helps reduce behavior-related stress.

 

Key Areas of Action

• Metabolic balance support: Helps prevent abnormal feeding behavior caused by nutritional deficiencies.
• Digestive health protection: Supports rumen and intestinal microbial stability.
• Behavioral regulation: Encourages the restoration of natural feeding behavior.
• Improved resilience: Enhances adaptation to stress, heat, and transport conditions.

 

Form and Use

• Form: Powder
• Application: Homogeneously mixed into the daily feed ration
• Dosage: Adjusted according to ration composition and animal condition, under veterinary guidance PICAMEL is a purely nutritional support product. It contains no hormones or pharmaceutical substances and carries no doping risk.

 

Field Observations

Breeders using PICAMEL have reported:

• A noticeable reduction in pica behavior within 10–15 days,
• Restoration of normal appetite,
• Elimination of sand and foreign-object ingestion,
• Improvement in digestive regularity and fecal consistency,
• Reduced behavioral stress.

Regular use has also significantly lowered the risk of recurrence of pica behavior.

Pica behavior in camels is often overlooked, yet it can have serious consequences for productivity, health, and animal welfare. Effective management requires not behavioral correction alone, but a nutritional rebalancing strategy.

PICAMEL, developed by Retrovet, represents a modern complementary feed solution that addresses the metabolic roots of pica behavior while supporting healthy digestive function.

“PICAMEL – Healthy Balance, Natural Behavior.”