Why Would a Dog Eat Rocks?

Unfortunately, I have met more than one dog who ate rocks.  I've also met dogs that eat socks and underwear, Lego's, and an entire pack of highlighter pens!  Why in the world would a dog purposefully eat something that is so obviously (to us) inedible?

The technical term for this behavior is Pica.  There is no one cause for the behavior and often there seems to be little reason a dog (or cat) exhibits the behavior. Meaning, it isn't because you were always taking rocks out of your puppy's mouth, so now he swallows them instead of relinquishing them to you. For some dogs and cats, however, there is a medical reason behind their behavior.  Taking your pet to the vet's office for a complete exam is the best place to start. Once you have ruled out nutritional deficiencies and medical conditions like diabetes, for example, then it is time to explore the problem as behavioral in origin. Oftentimes, this behavior is about boredom or anxiety so treating that is the place to start. First and foremost, however, you must try to control your pet's access to whatever it is that they ingest inappropriately. So, if it's rocks in your yard, get rid of the rocks. If it's socks on the floor, get those socks picked up and put away where the dog can't reach them.  Lego's should be played with on a table out of reach as should those highlighter pens, for example.

So what do you do if the rocks and other inedible objects your dog loves are the ones he finds on your daily walks?  You can try to teach the "leave it" and "drop it" commands and trade for yummy edible treats, but for many dogs that isn't enough.  They will just quickly swallow the rock and then go for the treat you are offering.  For dogs like this, muzzle training is a must.  Having your dog learn to wear a humane, basket-style muzzle means you can walk him safely and without that overwhelming anxiety on your part.  You can redirect him from rocks to the treats you have in your hand, knowing full well that he won't be able to pick up the rock and swallow it. Obviously, you still want to avoid walking in areas where rocks are evident! Over time, you may be able to discontinue using the muzzle, but for many owners it just provides a level of insurance that their dog won't return to the potentially deadly behavior.

If your dog is ingesting inedible objects inside your home, it's time to think about boundaries and boredom busters.  The dog should be confined to an x-pen or crate anytime they can't be watched.  If doing that creates anxiety, then muzzle train your dog indoors as well.  Boredom busters like the addition of interactive toys, feeders on a timer, etc.  are helpful in redirecting a bored dog.  Adding in real bones may help as well if your dog was seeking out rocks in order to find something hard to chew on. Conversely, if your dog loves socks and underwear, you will need to explore soft-style toy options that are too large to be swallowed and tough enough not to be torn apart and then swallowed.

With cats, Pica often manifests as a cat that eats fabric or sucks on fabric until holes are created.  Cats may also ingest threads or string.  Obviously, muzzling a cat isn't a feasible solution. Instead, the cat's access in your home must be limited to areas where they can't ingest fabric, even if that means confinement to one very small area.  Better to outfit that small area with toys, climbing apparatus, etc. to mentally engage your cat than to give him free rein knowing he might ingest something potentially fatal.

If you think your pet has swallowed something inedible, watch them closely.  If they try to eat or drink and end up vomiting, exhibit discomfort, lethargy, or inappetence, then they may have a blockage caused by that foreign object. While a small rock or gravel might pass somewhat easily through their digestive tract, a large stone will not. And if you know your dog has consumed several objects or something like a sock, or you find holes in a blanket that your cat sleeps on, a trip to the vet is a must before that potential blockage becomes an even bigger issue. Pica is definitely one of those situations where prevention is the biggest piece of the cure.  Don't give your pet the opportunity to manifest the behavior.  Do give them other, more appropriate options.

As always, if you are having trouble with Pica in your pet, please don't hesitate to reach out to me for further assistance in getting back on track.

Like most puppies, Freddie liked to pick up leaves on our walks, 

but was easily redirected to treats instead.