Reasons Why Dogs Eat Rocks
Dog owners would know that apart from being good eaters, dogs have the unaccountable inclination to eat repulsive things. Dog experts call this habit of ingesting non-edible things as pica. Although dog owners find it hard to understand the dog’s propensity to eat non-food items, pica is a normal behavior of dogs. Rocks are one of the non-food items that are eaten by dogs.
Puppies are more inclined to eat rocks. Puppies are naturally inquisitive and one way of discovering their world is by using their mouth. These “baby” dogs would chew rocks as if the stony fragment is a fruit flavored bubble gum. The habit of eating rocks can endanger the life of the pet. Chewing rocks is really dangerous as even if the rock is not swallowed it can still injure the soft tissues of the mouth. The delicate digestive tract of the dog is not built to digest the hard rock thus ingestion can result to diarrhea. A rock can get lodged in the dog’s esophagus or in the intestinal tract and create a life threatening obstruction.
Dogs are really good eaters. Pet owners would do anything to have the most well behaved pet but of course this is not possible as dogs are known to adapt dangerous and abhorrent behaviors. 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. If an underlying medical concern was ruled out, the rock eating habit of the pet can be attributed to behavioral problems.
Boredom, stress or anxiety can urge a dog to feast on rocks. Dogs would always love to get the attention of the family because these are social animals. Boredom will set in if the dog is left alone at home all day. Bored dogs will develop destructive behaviors. Eating rocks is a manifestation that the dog is bored. The habit of eating rocks can be the dog’s way of attracting the master’s attention.
For proper diagnosis, humans have to have a series of laboratory tests. Dogs don’t need any of these test as these animals can recognize what is wrong with their system. Rock eating can be the dog’s way of correcting an undiagnosed nutrient deficiency. When the dog starts to develop a craving for rocks ask yourself if you are being a good pet owner that provides time to bond with the dog and one that gives the dog premium quality food.
