Why does my dog eat stones?
Dogs sometimes have very strange eating habits and are often called omnivores, not least for this reason. Besides other obviously inedible things like excrement or earth, some dogs also eat stones, for example.
Of course, this fact does not change the fact that dogs are semi-carnivores and their diet should therefore consist primarily of animal proteins and fats.
Apart from this, eating stones is not a normal behaviour in dogs, but rather a serious health hazard. If you notice your dog eating stones, you should therefore never ignore this.
The causes of this unnatural behaviour and what you can do about it are explained below.
Why dogs eat stones
If your four-legged friend is still a puppy, eating inappropriate things such as stones may simply be related to the young dog's curiosity. However, the situation is different for an adult dog. If this dog eats stones, it is a behavioural disorder that can have various triggers.
For example, boredom is a possible cause of eating stones. Perhaps your dog is not working to full capacity, so you can counteract this by keeping him occupied with dog sports or playing games together.
Dogs that are kept in kennels or that are left alone all day long, for example, due to the occupation of their owners, often show behavioural problems such as eating stones or the deliberate biting of various objects in the dog's environment.
Apart from this, however, it is also possible that your dog may eat stones due to the pica syndrome. Pica syndrome is an eating disorder in which the eating of inedible things is not limited to stones. Affected dogs eat practically everything that comes between their teeth, including foam or socks.
Nutrient deficiency as a cause of stone eating in dogs
Apart from boredom and eating disorders, if your dog eats stones, it can also be because of their diet. This may be the case, for example, if your four-legged friend lacks urgently needed nutrients due to the poor quality of his dog food and he is trying to compensate for this deficiency.
It's also possible that the amount of food your dog eats is too little and he eats stones due to hunger. Of course, this cause is the exception for domestic dogs kept in Germany. However, it may be a good idea to question your dog's diet and not exclude it from the outset as a possible cause of behavioural problems.
Why eating stones is dangerous for dogs
If your dog eats stones, you must not under any circumstances tolerate his behaviour. This is because the ingestion of indigestible foreign bodies poses a serious risk to the health of your four-legged friend.
Even though stones are not usually poisonous, they can get stuck in your dog's digestive tract. With a little luck, small stones can be excreted again. Above a certain size, however, there is a risk that the stone will block the oesophagus or cause a life-threatening intestinal obstruction in the dog.
If this is the case, the stone usually has to be removed surgically to prevent worse symptoms.
However, even if your dog only chews on stones and does not swallow them, there are certain risks involved. This is because the hard surface can damage your four-legged friend's teeth, some of which may even break off.
How can I avoid the dog eating stones?
In view of the considerable dangers of eating stones, it probably goes without saying that you must consistently prevent this behaviour in your dog.
To do this, make sure that your dog is working to full capacity and that he doesn't get bored when he goes for a walk. For example, include exciting search games in your walks or let your dog fetch a stick or ball.
It may also be a good idea to get active in dog sports with your dog in the future. Thanks to the large selection of different disciplines such as mantrailing, dog diving or agility, your four-legged friend is sure to find something to enjoy.
The better you succeed in keeping your four-legged friend occupied and working to full capacity, the less likely it is that your dog will eat stones or develop other behavioural problems due to boredom.
Changing food for dogs that eat stones
Apart from suitable employment measures to avoid boredom and under-challenging your four-legged friend, you should also take a closer look at nutrition.
Your dog may actually be eating rocks because his portions are too small or his food does not provide him with the right nutrients. Adjusting the amount of food to your dog's actual needs and switching to a high-quality dog food can help prevent this from happening in the future.
To this end, the Bellfor range offers a wide selection of high-quality products that can be used to feed your dog according to his needs, regardless of breed or age. In addition to our natural dry and wet food for dogs, try our healthy dog snacks, for example, with which you can offer your four-legged friend a tasty alternative to eating stones.
When a dog has to go to the vet after eating stones
If you have noticed that your dog has eaten one or more stones, you should definitely keep a close eye on him in the days ahead. As soon as you notice any discomfort, we recommend that you visit your vet.
After all, the stone can cause your dog serious problems and an untreated intestinal obstruction can even be life-threatening. Complaints such as fatigue, vomiting or constipation are symptoms that must be taken seriously after eating stones.
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