Why Do Dogs Eat Rocks?
Dogs can eat rocks for many reasons – habit, boredom, play, curiosity, anxiety… Sometimes it starts out as curiosity then turns into a habit. The habit often gets worse when the people give the dog a lot of attention when they have the rock in their mouth.
What Re the Risks of a Dog Eating Rocks?
No matter what their reason is, it can be dangerous. They can break their teeth, choke and/ or create an obstruction in their digestive tract. Dogs can require surgery to remove rocks from their stomach or to remove teeth that break from chewing on the rock.
How Do I Stop My Dog From Eating Rocks?
There are many ways to STOP dogs from eating rocks:
- Prevent access to the rocks – remove them or block access in your yard or keep them on leash when they are around rocks.
- Teach your dog “leave it” and “drop it.” Be sure to use high value treats when you reward them for doing “leave it” or “drop it.”
- Provide other safe toys for them to chew on like stuffed Kongs, no hide chews, bully sticks, food dispensing toys/ kibble nibble ball, Kong wobbler, buster food cube, antlers etc.
What Do I Do If My Dog Swallowed A Rock?
If your dog swallows a small rock, you will need to monitor their feces to see if they pass it. If your dog does not pass the rock, they may begin to vomit and stop eating. Should this happen, or you suspect the rock has caused an obstruction, then you need to take them to the veterinarian immediately as surgery may be required.
If your dog chew rocks consistently, you should also check your dog’s teeth regularly to look for fractured teeth.
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