Dogs rarely hesitate to taste anything that looks vaguely interesting. They are constantly putting something in their mouths, whether they are looking for “treats” in your cat’s litter box or sampling some two-day-old trash at the bottom of the trash can.
But despite the fact that many of these things are incredibly disgusting, they are typically organic in nature. They have intriguing tastes, smells, and textures, so it makes sense that they would be interested in these things (at least according to doggie logic). However, some canines take this behavior to an entirely new level and begin consuming inorganic objects, such as rocks.
This is clearly a bad idea, and it can also be extremely dangerous. If something looks the same coming out as it did going in, your dog can’t digest it, so you don’t want them to eat it. This implies that they will probably stay in your dog’s digestive tract for a considerable amount of time if they don’t pass through his system.
This isn’t a great plan for long-term (or even short-term) health and happiness, as you might expect.
Your Dog Has an Underlying Health Issue
Its not uncommon for dogs to consume odd things, even rocks, when they are feeling an upset stomach or having problems with digestion and are looking for relief. “In general, dogs eating non-food items is most often associated with gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort of some sort,” Sinn says.
Eating things that are not considered food, like dirt or rocks, can also indicate that your dogs diet needs adjusting. When a dogs diet is lacking in the vital nutrients they need, they may seek those vitamins and minerals elsewhere. In severe cases, the nutritional deficiencies come from a serious medical issue like exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) or rickets. Pica, a condition where an animal constantly eats non-food items can result from other medical issues or anxiety and OCD.
These can all become serious conditions that need treatment. The following are indications that your dog’s rock eating is becoming a serious issue:
Call your veterinarian right away if your dog suddenly develops an obsession with eating rocks or if it is accompanied by additional physical or behavioral symptoms like these. You can also speak with a veterinary nutritionist to assist in developing the best diet for your dog after your doctor has ruled out any potential health issues.
What Does It Mean When Your Dog Eats Rocks?
Canines are connoisseurs of strange things to eat. Whether it’s rocks, socks, underwear, or even dirt, our dogs find ways to eat things that, at the very least, make us sick, and, at the very worst, force us to call an emergency veterinarian. Puppies may accidentally bite, chew, and even swallow foreign objects as they explore their curious world. For a variety of reasons, including their taste and texture, boredom, behavioral issues and disorders, or an underlying medical concern, adult dogs may find rocks to be a tasty treat or interesting hobby.
Credit: Aleksandar Boceski / EyeEm / Getty
Your Dog Just Wants to Try Them Out
Puppies enjoy experimenting with new things with their mouths, just like human toddlers. A hand? Put their mouth on it. A squeaky toy? Lick it. Your new pair of jeans? Bite it. And a rock can be just one more thing for some puppies and adult dogs to test out with their mouths. If this is the case, teaching your dog the “leave it” cue through positive reinforcement can be very beneficial and extremely practical in a variety of situations. Avoid simply taking something out of your dog’s mouth—not only does this increase the likelihood that your dog will later become a resource guarder, but it can also increase the likelihood that eating rocks will become a game.
“It [rock eating] can be reinforced by inappropriate attention, like trying to grab and pull things from the dogs mouth instead of you just trading or redirecting,” says Leslie Sinn, DVM, DACVB, CPDT-KA, veterinary behaviorist and owner of Behavior Solutions in Hamilton, Va.
Teach your dog useful cues like “give” and “drop” to stop resource guarding and unintentionally reinforce rock eating. Then, offer your dog something else they might really want, like a treat or a favorite tug toy, to make a trade. You move your dog to a different location and remove the rock from their line of sight when they instead reach for that object.
Our dogs do things for a variety of reasons, but boredom is frequently to blame. A dog who is not mentally and physically stimulated will find ways to pass the time, such as chewing on furniture or ingesting strange objects from your yard, such as dirt or plants. And if a dog is constantly bored, meaning that his surroundings don’t provide much mental stimulation, he might consume more things that catch his interest than a dog who is only occasionally bored.
This can result in serious behavioral and health issues because dogs who don’t get enough chances to use their brains will quickly get frustrated and anxious and try to find ways to feel better.
Make sure your dog has daily opportunities to use their canine intelligence to investigate and learn to avoid this. By providing fresh puzzles and toys, rotating the ones you already have, and adding options for safe chew toys, you can prevent boredom in your home and yard. Every day, take your dog for a walk or a hike and let them sniff around. Play games with them, provide daily lessons that teach them new techniques and tricks, and go on adventures together around the world.
FAQ
Why is my dog eating rocks?
If your dog is anxious or stressed, they might start eating rocks. When your dog puts rocks in his mouth, he could be trying to get your attention or he could be stressed out or bored. Last but not least, if your pet doesn’t have Pica or a behavioral problem, they might be eating rocks because they are malnourished or have parasites.
Is it okay to let dogs chew on rocks?
Your dog could develop serious health problems if it chews and eats rocks, stones, and pebbles. It can damage their teeth. Their bodies could be harmed by a damaged digestive system, an intestinal obstruction, or a perforated stomach or bowel. All of these conditions need to be treated by a veterinarian right away.
How do I stop my dog eating rocks?
- Remove any accessible rocks. The first step is to remove any rocks or other inedible objects so that your dog cannot access them, which may seem obvious.
- Exercise. …
- Training. …
- Diet. …
- Chew toys. …
- Supervision. …
- Deterrent. …
- Visit your vet.
Do dogs grow out of eating rocks?
At around 6 months of age, typical chewing and eating behaviors may cease. However, some dogs never overcome it, especially if it was reinforced in the past by receiving unfavorable attention. Training and prevention will be required to keep your puppy secure until this age and stop the behavior from becoming chronic.