Why rock-eating is dangerous to dogs
Rocks can’t be digested. The rocks can create obstructions in the dog’s digestive tract. Sharp rocks may also cause organ laceration and internal bleeding.
In the best case scenario, the rocks and gravels the dog ate are tiny. In such cases, the dog may just poop out the rocks as they may just pass through the digestive tract with little harm. This, however, isn’t something you want to leave to chance.
Is it Dangerous for Dogs to Eat Rocks?
Well, it certainly isn’t ideal! Dangerous, though? That depends. The factors that can influence whether a rock is dangerous to your dog include the size and age of your dog, the size and shape of the rock, and the composition of the rock or dangerous chemicals that may be on it, like pesticides. There’s certainly no benefit to letting your dog eat rocks and it carries the risk of causing an intestinal blockage, internal rupture, internal hemorrhage, poisoning, constipation, and rectal tears. Keep reading for the reasons that your dog may eat rocks.
Your Dog Has a Behavioral Concern
When your dog is overly stressed or nervous, and conflicted with how to handle a situation, eating non-food items like rocks can act as a displacement behavior. These are behaviors that appear odd given the context and seem as though they would not do anything to help alleviate the negative feelings your dog is experiencing.
Common displacement behaviors include excessive panting, lip licking, shaking off when not wet, excessive self-grooming, and yes, eating unusual things quickly. A dog that demonstrates a lot of displacement behaviors is not enjoying their current situation, and owners should alleviate the stress by taking them inside the house, leaving the park, or just giving them space, offering their dog an opportunity to rest, and/or removing triggers that may be causing the stress.
Some dogs may have a significant behavioral concern that leads to their desire to consume rocks. General anxiety and compulsive disorder (like OCD) can quickly become serious, causing a dog to engage in obsessive behaviors like spinning, tail chasing, licking, or even consuming lots of odd things like pebbles and rocks. If you think your dog could have severe anxiety or a compulsive disorder, seek help from a veterinary behaviorist.
Why Do Dogs Eat Rocks? | How to Stop Your Dog from Eating Rocks | Why is My Dog Eating Rocks?
In this article we will look at the reasons why dogs eat inedible objects like dirt, stones or trash. We’ll help you understand this dog eating dirt problem. Then, we’ll share some reassurance and helpful tips. We’ll also be pointing you in the direction of some great training ideas and solutions.
Why do dogs eat dirt, stones, and other trash? If you’ve ever felt concerned about your normally well-mannered dog eating dirt, you’re not alone. Some Labradors eat the most astonishing amount of trash. But besides Labs, other dogs also eat dirt, rocks, mud, disgusting dead animals, sticks, leaves and even poop. Puppies in particular often eat stones, leaves and bits of paper. And it is natural to worry about whether this will harm them. Let’s find out now — why DO dogs eat dirt? Why do dogs eat trash? What can you do about your dog eating stones? We’ll begin with the first question.
There are a few reasons why you might have a dog eating dirt situation. As we review each of these reasons, think about which of them seem most likely for your doggie. It’s also possible that there might be more than one of these issues with your pet.
One possible reason is that dogs that eat dirt may have a mineral deficiency. In this case, by eating dirt, they’re trying to get nutrients from the soil. There’s no hard evidence to support this theory, but it seems a reasonable one, and it’s certainly worth reviewing the diet of a dog who eats dirt. This is important especially if you are feeding a home cooked diet. Most complete commercial pet foods contain the full range of vitamins and minerals required by your pet.
Swallowing the occasional bit of dirt is unlikely to harm your dog. But, if your Lab is munching on soil on a regular basis, he needs a check up from the vet. There are some illnesses that can cause malnutrition and potentially this kind of abnormal eating pattern. One of such conditions is anemia — a drop in the red blood cells. Dogs with anemia may show any or all of the following signs:
Other illnesses such as liver and gastrointestinal issues may also show up as your dog eating dirt. IMPORTANT: some garden mulches are poisonous to dogs, so never let your dog have access to mulch.
Eating dirt could arise in dogs that are bored, or as an attention-seeking device. Basically, your pup is saying “look at me, I’m eating dirt. I bet you want to stop me doing this!!” Which of course, you do.
If this is your dog’s problem, you may just need to spend a bit more time interacting with him, and giving him a bit more exercise and attention. However, you’ll need to do this when your dog is displaying good behavior.
Do your best in the meantime to avoid fussing over a dog who’s eating dirt. We’ll discuss more specific tips later on what you can do. But, if you’d like some ideas on training, check out our training section for more information and tips.
Another reason for eating dirt may just be a strongly flavored area of soil. Perhaps something tasty (to your dog) has been spilled there, or is buried in that patch of soil? It might help just to wait them out and see if they return with anything specific or interesting. This option is especially worth considering if your dog keeps digging and snacking in the same place.
Again, if your dog is taking this to extremes, get some professional help. See your vet in the first instance, and from there you may need a referral to an animal behaviorist. Why do dogs eat dirt? There you have four solid reasons why your dog may be eating dirt. But what about stones? Why do dogs eat stones?
Eating stones is a very common activity among puppies. So, if you’re a dog parent with a dog eating stones, don’t feel bad. In many cases, it probably starts with the puppy just exploring a pebble or two with his mouth. Puppies are similar to toddlers in that way; they use their mouths to explore new sensations.
However, if left alone with the small stone/coin/plastic toy or whatever he has in his mouth, most puppies will simply spit it out when they get bored with it. But of course, we worry that the puppy will choke or swallow the thing, and we try to get it off him. The puppy then does swallow it, simply because if it’s in his tummy, no one else can take it. For this reason it is always best to “swap” items you don’t want your puppy to have, for a tasty bit of food. It helps to avoid the swallowing habit getting started.
Puppies often grow out of eating rubbish. But, if a dog eating stones or rocks persists into adulthood it can be much more serious. We’ll look at that below.
Many dogs that appear to be eating sticks are actually just chewing them up. It’s an activity that many dogs really enjoy. For Labs, this chewing is often born from their retriever instincts. Still, stress, boredom, and anxiety may exacerbate these chewing tendencies.
Most of the tiny bits that the stick breaks down into, are spat out. You’ll often find them in a pile around the dog. But if your dog is actually eating and swallowing wood, then you should be worried. In this case again, we’ll do what we did with the puppy and stones. Swapping the stick for something tasty makes it less likely that your dog will swallow what is in his mouth, or run off with it.
However, for some dogs, eating everything and anything is a real psychological problem and health risk. These dogs often consume items of clothing such as socks, dishcloths and cleaning rags, toys, sticks and pretty much anything they find lying around.
If you’re wondering “why does my dog eat trash?” you’re not alone. Many dogs love a good trash rummage. There are a few reasons why your furchild loves to snoop in the trash. And no, it’s not because one man’s trash is another (doggie)’s treasure.
Sometimes, it’s as simple as the fact that something in the trash smells like food to your dog. Other times, it’s because your trash can seems like an exciting gadget for your dog. Perhaps he’s noticed that pushing a lever magically opens this trove of food. Dogs also love weird smells. If you’re a dog owner, you’ll know that they sniff anything from butts to smelly feet — don’t be shocked if they love the way trash smells.
Still, trash-loving dogs may have serious issues too. Maybe your dog’s appetite is skyrocketing because of an undiagnosed illness? Either way, if you find it happening too often or your instincts tell you there might be more to it, see your vet. We’ll have more tips for dealing with dogs eating trash in our tips section below.