Why are dogs eating rocks | Love My Pets GPS Pet Safety Products ...

August 08, 2012 ? Jerry Welsh

Anyone that had the opportunity to keep or to live with dogs would know that these animals not only have huge appetites but are also inclined to eat things that humans find disgusting. Dogs wise people refer to this socially unacceptable habit of eating non-edible items 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.

As mentioned, dogs love to eat rocks but this habit is most commonly seen in puppies. Because puppies are very curious, they investigate anything they find interesting by using their mouths. A pet parent will be amused by the pet?s chewing as if what is being chewed is bubble gum. Eating rocks though is dangerous. Because rocks are hard, the teeth as well as the soft tissues inside the mouth can be damaged. The delicate digestive tract of the dog is not built to digest the hard rock thus ingestion can result to diarrhea. What would be more alarming is the fact that a rather large rock ingested by the dog can be life threatening if an esophagus or an intestinal tract blockage is created.

We know that dogs are voracious eaters. We also know that man?s best friends can develop hazardous and socially unacceptable 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. However if medical conditions are ruled out, a dog owner has to think about behavioral concerns.

Boredom, anxiety or stress can entice a dog to gnaw and to ingest rocks. Dogs are social animals thus they would crave social interactions with dogs and with humans. Boredom will set in if the dog is left alone at home all day. The unacceptable behaviors of dogs can be associated with boredom. Bored dogs eat rocks. This behavior can also be the dog?s way of getting the owner?s attention.

Humans would need to have various laboratory tests to know what is wrong with their body. Dogs really do have amazing abilities, one of which is knowing 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.

Learn more about why dogs eat rocks and other interesting dog behaviours.

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Source: http://lovemypetsgps.com/blog/2688/why-are-dogs-eating-rocks/

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