What to Do If Your Dog Ate a Rock
My furry friend often tells me that she has a much more refined palate than me. This is usually in response to me telling her to stop trying to eat rocks. Thankfully, due to her incredibly tiny mouth, she has not been successful in swallowing a rock. However, that is not always the case for our canine companions.
So what exactly should you do in the event that your furry friend ingests a rock? According to PetMD, you should immediately transport your dog to their vet, who will likely administer vomit-inducing medication to remove the item from their digestive system. While rocks are not toxic, they can cause your furry friend to have intestinal blockage. In addition, rocks are choking hazards.
It should also be noted that eating rocks could be a sign that your canine companion may be suffering from some underlying health conditions. The American Kennel Club reported that dogs who crave rocks may have some nutritional deficiency, parasites, or diabetes. In addition, rock-chewing is relatively common among dogs who are bored or anxious. While speaking to the AKC in November 2023, dog trainer Mindy Tusko shared that “Boredom is a big problem.”
“One of the reasons that we do find dogs eating rocks is because [they] have nothing else to do,” explained the trainer.
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She also suggested teaching your furry friend the commands of “leave it” and “drop it” can prevent them from any future rock chewing.
“Those [commands] are so highly beneficial. It could be life-saving for the dogs,” stated Tusko.
In addition, if you see your furry friend gravitate toward some rocks to nibble on, offer them a toy instead to keep them occupied.
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