If your dog is chewing pebbles and small rocks you might wonder why do dogs eat rocks.
This is a dangerous habit as it can affect your dog’s teeth and the soft area in its mouth.
Other negative effects could be:
- Chocking
- Intestinal blockage
- Internal bleeding
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Long term illness
- Death
It would be best if you stopped your dog from chewing pebbles and rocks on the spot as soon as it happens to prevent harm and keep your dog in good health.
As to why do dogs chew rocks, some people reckon that some dogs that lack certain minerals might use this way to get them.
However, most owners believe that dogs might chew rocks and pebbles due to being bored or treating them like toys.
It is really important to feed your dog a well balanced meal so that all vitamins and minerals are provided.
Keep the boredom at bay by giving them plenty of exercise and providing safe ways to distract them.
How to stop a dog from eating rocks:
If you have pebbles in your garden and your dog constantly tries to chew them, it’s a good idea to take them to the vet for a routine check of their health. There could be underlying conditions, such as:
- intestinal tract disorders
- bloating
- intestinal parasites
- mineral deficiencies
- mental health disorders (such as pica)
Having a better understanding of why do dogs eat rocks now you can try taking these few steps:
- eliminate for a period the pebbles from your garden or keep your dog away from this area
- give your dog different new toys. A good idea is to keep them hidden for a period and keep changing them.
- plenty of exercises
- food rich in minerals and vitamins
- routine health check-ups
- when walking, keep your companion on a leash so that you can have better control of its behavior outdoors
- take a toy with you when walking your pet
- give lots of praise for listening to instructions
- try to train your dog against chewing rocks
- buy food rich in vitamins and change their brand for a period
- remain firm and clear when giving instructions
- ask for specialist help if worried
