Why Do Dogs Eat Rocks?

Dogs are curious creatures, and one way they explore the world is through their sense of taste. Dogs like to chew on all types of things, including bones, toys, and even your shoes, so it’s no surprise that dogs sometimes eat rocks. Unfortunately, like most inedible objects, eating rocks can be dangerous for your dog because they can get stuck in the intestinal tract and cause a blockage. 

Dogs eat rocks for various reasons, ranging from learning about their environment to boredom and underlying health issues. If your dog eats a rock, they should be taken to a veterinarian immediately for evaluation. The longer a rock stays in your dog’s system, the more dangerous it can become for them. In this article, we’ll discuss some common reasons why dogs eat rocks, how to get your dog to stop eating them, and what to do if your dog eats one. 

• Why Is Your Dog Eating Rocks?
• How to Get Your Dog to Stop Eating Rocks
• Your Dog Ate Rocks, What Should You Do?
• Final Notes

Why Is Your Dog Eating Rocks?

While eating a rock can be dangerous, it’s normal dog behavior to be curious about things in their environments. While your dog uses their sense of smell to learn, they may also use their sense of taste to figure out if something is edible or even chewable. For example, if your puppy is eating rocks, they might just be looking for something to chew on. Chewing is part of natural dog instinct, but your dog must be careful about what they chew. So why do dogs eat rocks? Here are a few common reasons why your dog may be eating rocks. 

Boredom

Dogs tend to chew on things when they’re bored, so it’s no wonder dogs will eat rocks because they have nothing better to do. Bored dogs are those who don’t get enough mental stimulation or exercise and may find new ways to entertain themselves, like licking, chewing on, or even swallowing rocks. 

Attention Seeking

Dogs sometimes misbehave to get your attention.¹ They may steal your belongings or eat rocks so you’ll give them the attention they crave. If a dog has a rock in their mouth, you will likely tell them a command to drop it or stick your fingers in their mouth to get it out, which means attention for your pup. Additionally, if your dog has swallowed a rock before, they might learn that it gets them immediate attention from you, even if that attention isn’t completely positive.

Underlying Health Issues

Some dogs eat non-food items more than others. But why do dogs eat grass, dirt, rocks, socks, and shoes? A dog’s diet and nutrition may be the culprit. Dogs who eat rocks might have underlying health issues that cause them to eat items without nutrients, like rocks. This condition is called pica and typically happens because dogs aren’t getting the nutrients through food.¹ 

Dogs with pica may eat rocks or any other object they can find since their bodies are craving nutrients, and your dog doesn’t know that a rock is not nutritious. Additionally, dogs with underlying health problems like diabetes, worms, and tumors may chew or swallow rocks to take their mind off of any pain they’re experiencing.¹

Behavioral Problems 

Dogs with behavioral problems like anxiety may eat rocks as a way to distract themselves from something that’s making them scared or anxious. Since many dogs use chewing as a way to get rid of nervous energy, anxious dogs might chew on and eat rocks when they’re feeling stressed. 

Dogs that are stressed will often yawn, groom themselves, or even shake to self-soothe. Dogs with these types of behaviors should be treated by a behaviorist to help them overcome their anxiety. 

Dogs who eat rocks may also have a compulsive disorder that makes them repeat behaviors like licking themselves or eating rocks. These anxiety disorders can cause your dog a great deal of distress if they’re not treated properly, so it’s best for them to see a behaviorist to help them manage these feelings. 

How to Get Your Dog to Stop Eating Rocks

If you see your dog trying to eat a rock, they need to be stopped immediately so it doesn’t end up in their digestive system. Consuming rocks is dangerous for dogs, especially large ones they may not be able to pass naturally. If your dog is eating rocks, it can lead to serious and potentially fatal health problems, including:

• Blockages: Intestinal blockages can occur when your dog eats a rock that it can’t pass. The only way to remove the rock from your dog is with surgery. Otherwise, your pet can become severely ill because they won’t be able to get the nutrients they need, and they’ll be unable to pass any food through their system. 
• Perforation: Sharp rocks can perforate or cut the dog’s digestive tract on the way down. Since this is happening internally, there’s nothing you can do on your own; only a vet can remove a sharp rock from your dog’s digestive system and give them the supportive care they need to heal. 
• Broken teeth: If your dog is chewing rocks, it can cause them to break or chip their teeth. Broken teeth must be removed to prevent infection, and the only way to remove a broken tooth is by surgery in which your dog will be under general anesthesia, which carries risks. 
• GI problems: Even if your dog ate a rock small enough that they could pass it on their own, it could still cause severe digestive problems because the body can’t digest rocks. Dogs that eat rocks may experience gas, vomiting, and diarrhea as their body tries to expel the foreign object. 

Since there are so many risks attached to a dog eating rocks, you must train them not to do it. If you see your dog trying to eat a rock on a walk, you’ll need to find a way to get them to drop it or allow you to put your hand in their mouth to take it out yourself. Here are a few ways to get your dog to stop eating rocks:

Training

Teaching your dog the basic commands they should know can help you avoid dangerous situations like rock eating. Teaching your dog to drop something or give it to you with a command can prevent them from swallowing anything they shouldn’t eat. 

For example, if your dog puts a rock in their mouth, you can tell them to drop it, and if they’re trained, they’ll spit it out. Training your dog takes time and effort, so until they’re fully trained to give or drop something, you should also consider other reasons why your dog might like eating rocks. 

Make sure that your dog is not nutritionally deficient

As we’ve mentioned, dogs can develop pica from not getting the nutrients they need from their diets. Ensuring your dog is getting all the nutrients they need through their diet can help prevent them from craving non-food items like rocks. If you’re worried your dog may have an underlying health issue, take them to the vet and let them know that your dog has been eating rocks. 

Avoid Rock-Heavy Areas

Until your dog is trained, you’ll want to avoid areas where there are rocks they can eat. Depending on where you live and walk them, this may be difficult. However, you can walk your dog in the grass or on sidewalks to avoid rocks. 

While walking your dog, always pay close attention to them to help you determine whether they’re sniffing a blade of grass or trying to eat a rock. Depending on your dog’s size, you may have to bend down to see what they’re up to when they take a break to sniff. 

Give Your Dog Attention

If your dog eats rocks for attention, give them as much attention as possible, especially when you’re hanging out with them outside. When you’re on a walk, you can keep a close eye on your dog because they’re attached to you via the leash, but when your dog is in your yard, you might not be able to watch them at all times. That being said, you can still give your dog tons of attention to keep them focused on you instead of trying to find ways to get your attention. 

Prevent Boredom

Mental and physical stimulation are necessary for every dog, no matter their breed or temperament. For example, if your dog is eating rocks, they might simply be bored or have the urge to chew something. You can supply your dog with toys and bones to chew on throughout the day to prevent them from chewing on potentially dangerous items like rocks. 

Your Dog Ate Rocks, What Should You Do?

Dogs that have eaten rocks should be taken to the nearest emergency vet as soon as possible for a physical exam. Not only will your vet look to see if the rock is causing a blockage or harming your pet in some way, but they’ll set out to determine the reason why your dog is eating rocks and help you treat it. For example, if your dog has an underlying health problem, the vet will aim to treat the condition, which should stop your dog from eating rocks in the future. 

However, your regular vet may not be able to completely prevent your dog from eating rocks, especially if it’s not due to a medical illness. At the very least, your dog should go to the vet because a rock could cause a serious health problem if you wait too long. 

Final Notes

Throughout their lives, dogs may eat many non-food items, including rocks. However, eating rocks can be potentially life-threatening for your dog. If your dog eats rocks, they should be taken to the vet as soon as possible to help you identify a reason for their behavior. While many dogs who eat rocks have pica, are bored, or are attention seeking, others may have behavioral problems that make them eat strange objects to cope with their anxiety. 

Talking to a vet can help you stop your dog from eating rocks in the future, no matter the cause. Whether your dog has a behavioral problem like anxiety or they’re suffering from a nutritional deficiency, Dutch can help. Our vets are available 24/7 to provide online vet care to help you manage your dog’s behavioral problems and address your overall dog health concerns.