subject: Reasons Why Dogs Eat Rocks [print this page] Dogs have great appetites and these animals have the inclination to eat questionable (at least to us humans) things. Dog experts call this habit of ingesting non-edible things as 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. One of the non-edible things that dogs love to eat are rocks.
Rock chewing is more common in puppies. 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. The soft tissues of the mouth can be wounded by the hard rock. Moreover this object is not meant for the dog's delicate digestive tract as 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 really good 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. A dog's rock eating habit that is not caused by a medical concern is probably caused by a behavioral concern.
The dog's propensity to eat rocks can be caused by boredom, anxiety or stress. Dogs are social animals thus they would crave social interactions with dogs and with humans. If contact with humans or with other animals are not provided the dog will be bored. Bored dogs will develop destructive behaviors. Eating rocks is a manifestation that the dog is bored. Eating rocks can be the dog's effort to get the attention of the master.
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. 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.
