It's unbelievable but true - some dogs actually eat rocks. Just as some dogs are known to enjoy eating non-food items, such as socks, underwear, toys, or wood, some dogs actually eat rocks. It's strange because it seems bizarre when your dog is out for a walk, enjoying his day, and then suddenly takes a bite of the neighbor's garden gravel. Are you worried about your dog eating rocks? And would you like to know why your dog eats stones in the first place? Then you'll probably want to know how you can stop him. In this blog article we will address the phenomenon of stone eating in dogs.
Reasons why dogs eat stones
Our dogs can sometimes exhibit strange eating behavior and yes - they also eat stones. This is worrying behavior for us dog owners, but there are actually several reasons why dogs may eat rocks. In this article, we'll look at the reasons why dogs eat rocks and how to stop them from doing so.
malnutrition
Did you know that a dog doesn't necessarily have to be underweight to be malnourished? Malnutrition means that some of your dog's nutritional needs are not being met. This means that even an overweight dog can be malnourished. The type and quality of food you give your dog should be checked regularly to ensure that it meets your dog's needs.
Malnutrition in dogs is usually due to hunger, such as: B. in stray or abandoned dogs, or because they are fed a poor diet. This often happens when people start cooking for their dogs or feeding them raw without knowing what nutrients a dog actually needs. If you want to change your dog's diet, contact your veterinarian or a pet nutritionist.
Vitamin deficiencies
There are many causes of vitamin deficiencies in dogs. A vitamin deficiency often goes hand in hand with malnutrition. In some dogs, a vitamin deficiency can also be related to an illness. For example, diarrhea can cause a nutrient deficiency because the body cannot absorb all the vitamins it needs when digesting food. Certain types of cancer can also block vitamin absorption.
Parasites
Some internal parasites that dogs are susceptible to can cause your dog to eat strange objects that are not food, such as: B. Stone. This is often because the parasites block nutrient absorption in your dog's gastrointestinal tract. Dogs with parasites that eat stones often suffer from vitamin deficiencies and malnutrition.
diabetes
Diabetes is also a serious but treatable disease that can cause your dog to eat rocks because he is overly hungry or has a nutrient deficiency. Symptoms such as excessive water consumption and urination are typical of diabetes. A visit to the vet is definitely recommended if you think your dog may have diabetes.
anemia
Anemia can have many causes. However, iron deficiency anemia is the most likely cause of your dog starting to eat rocks and other unusual things. Iron deficiency anemia can be caused by some form of blood loss or after major surgery. Chronic illnesses such as a slow-bleeding tumor can also cause anemia. Iron is vital because it allows the body to transport oxygen in red blood cells. If your dog is deficient in iron, he may crave mineral-rich items like rocks and dirt to make up for the deficiency.
Anxiety and stress
Changes, fear and negative experiences can lead to anxiety and stress in your dog. If your dog is suffering from some form of anxiety and stress, he may start eating inappropriate things like rocks to calm himself down. If your dog seems anxious and starts eating rocks, you should find out the cause.
confusion
Your dog may also be confused due to age, illness or medication and may eat stones. This is simply because your dog's level of confusion has reached a point where his brain is telling him that eating rocks is the right thing to do. If your dog suddenly appears confused, you should take him to a vet immediately.
boredom
Bored dogs become destructive. Good dog ownership requires your dog to be active and entertained. Eating rocks out of boredom is more common in puppies and young dogs, but any other dog can do it too. Therefore, offer your dog a variety of toys, games and daily exercise. You may even need to start dog sports to prevent your dog from becoming bored.
teething
Just like human babies, puppies tend to put anything and everything in their mouths. Sometimes they do this simply because they want to explore the world around them. However, a puppy eating rocks can also be a sign that he is feeling uneasy about teething. If your dog is in excessive pain, you need to speak to your veterinarian. Otherwise, teething is a normal part of a puppy's growth and there is little you can do about it.
Attention seeking
Your dog is just smart, by eating inappropriate things, such as stones, he is looking for attention that he wouldn't get otherwise. Your dog learns very quickly that when he eats rocks, you suddenly start paying attention to him, so he may do this more often to keep getting your attention.
Risks and Dangers of Stone Eating for Dogs
Dogs eating rocks can be very dangerous and lead to serious health problems. It is important that as a dog owner you understand the potential risks and dangers of stone eating and how you can help and protect your dog from these risks.
One of the biggest risk factors of stone eating is the possibility of constipation and intestinal blockages. If your dog eats larger stones, they can become stuck in the digestive system and block the normal flow of food and waste. This can cause severe pain, discomfort, and other symptoms that may require surgery to remove the stones.
Additionally, stones can cause dental problems, especially if your dog tends to bite or chew the stone hard. This can cause the teeth to become worn down or even break, which can lead to painful dental problems.
Stones may also have sharp edges or corners that can injure your dog's digestive system, causing internal injuries and bleeding that may require immediate veterinary attention.
In addition, stones can also contain toxic substances, especially if they were found near chemicals or other dangerous substances. If your dog eats a poisonous rock, it can cause poisoning that can be potentially life-threatening.
How to stop dogs from eating stones
make changes
One of the easiest ways to stop your dog from eating rocks is to change their radius of action so that they don't end up eating rocks. This is not possible if the dog eats the stones in the park or in the neighbor's garden. However, if your dog likes to nibble on the stones in your garden or yard, changing his environment can quickly stop the behavior.
Talk to your vet
A visit to the vet is necessary if your dog has suddenly become a stone eater. Your veterinarian can help you rule out medical causes and determine what behavioral or psychological reasons may be responsible for the behavior. Some serious problems can turn dogs into stone eaters, so you should definitely take this step.
Behavior modification
Assuming your dog's rock eating is psychological or behavioral, behavioral training can be an effective way to stop his behavior. Positive conditioning and balanced training are an ideal way to stop this behavior, but this can have varying degrees of success depending on the dog and training abilities. If you are not sure how to stop your dog from eating rocks, contact a behaviorist or dog trainer.
Muzzle training
Muzzles have a bad reputation because of their appearance. However, a well-fitting muzzle is an exceptional tool that can help dogs with many problems, from reactivity to rock eating. Muzzle training is a slow process, and it's important to choose a muzzle that fits your dog properly. A muzzle should allow your dog to pant, drink water, and accept treats for training purposes. A muzzle should never be left on your dog unattended. If your dog eats rocks on your daily walk, a muzzle can serve as a barrier to keep him from eating the rocks. At the same time, you need to work on changing his behavior or get him medical treatment. A muzzle alone will not solve the problem; additional measures should always be taken to combat the cause.
Be attentive
It sounds simple, but we often overlook this: If your dog eats rocks every time you let him into the garden, you should take him out and stop the behavior. The more attention you pay to his problem, the more you will learn why your dog is exhibiting this behavior. This way you can successfully work on stopping stone eating.
Conclusion
Dogs eating rocks can indicate serious problems. That's why it's important to talk to your vet and make sure your dog is healthy if he eats rocks. Medical, psychological and behavioral problems can lead to stone eating. If you observe your dog's overall behavior when eating stones, you may be able to find out the cause. Sometimes there is no cause and you have to work with your dog to simply break the behavior. However, some dogs will always be stone eaters. If you find other ways to stop the behavior, such as: B. behavior training or muzzle training, you can protect your dog from his behavior in a meaningful way.
