Why Are Dogs Eating Rocks
Dogs have great appetites and these animals have the inclination to eat questionable (at least to us humans) things. The habit of eating non-food items is called pica. Eating non-edible items is a normal behavior of dogs but dog owners would still be puzzled by this behavior more so if the pet is provided with enough food. Rocks are one of the non-food items that are eaten by dogs.
Rock chewing is more common in puppies. Because puppies are very curious, they investigate anything they find interesting by using their mouths. The hard rock will be chewed by the pup as if it were a fruity bubble gum. Eating rocks though is dangerous. The soft tissues of the mouth can be wounded by the hard rock. The delicate digestive tract of the dog is not built to digest the hard rock thus ingestion can result to diarrhea. A blockage in the throat or on the intestinal tract that can be created if a large piece of rock is swallowed can be the cause of death of the pet.
Dogs are voracious and indiscriminate eaters. Dog owners would always want to have the best pet unfortunately, dogs do have the inclination to develop not only socially unacceptable behaviors but dangerous ones as well. The dog’s habit of eating rocks will still puzzle a lot of pet owners. A brain disease can be one of the reasons why the dog eats rocks. However if medical conditions are ruled out, a dog owner has to think about behavioral concerns.
Boredom, anxiety or stress can entice a dog to gnaw and to ingest rocks. Being social animals, dogs would need interaction with the family. Dogs that do not get any attention from the family will be bored. Boredom is one of the reasons why dogs develop unacceptable behavior. Bored dogs eat rocks. Eating rocks can be the dog’s effort to get the attention of the master.
Various lab tests would be necessary to know the health concerns of humans. Dogs don’t need any of these test as these animals can recognize what is wrong with their system. A nutrient deficient diet will entice a dog to eat rocks in an effort to correct the imbalance. The rock eating habit can be a wake up call for the dog owner not only to provide the dog with premium quality dog food but also to make time to bond with the dog.
Learn more about why dogs eat rocks and other interesting dog behaviours.
