![]() ![]() An underlying deficiency in certain vitamins and minerals your dog needs could be causing her to eat dirt or rocks. In humans, pica can stem from a lack of iron or zinc in the body. Malnutrition Or Changes In Appetite Due To Underlying Disease Here are some possible reasons for pica in dogs:ġ. READ ALSO: Foods that are dangerous to Dogs, number 9 will surprise you Studies show that younger dogs and neutered dogs have higher odds of displaying pica. They should grow out of this behavior as they age. But if it persists, ask a vet about anti-anxiety medication to soothe your dog’s worried mind.It’s normal for puppies to try eating many different items as a part of exploring and learning. If you’ve recently moved, had a baby or adopted a new pet, the stress may be temporary and your dog may stop eating rocks on his own. It’s weird, sure, but it’s nothing to shrug at: anxiety can be debilitating and anxious rock-eating is a sign of real distress. New environments, people, animals, objects and routines can all prompt your dog to worry about his safety and stability, and rock-eating may be his way of coping. Anxiety and StressĪnxiety makes you do strange things, whether you’re a human or a dog. These conditions are serious and may be fatal if not treated. If you notice seizures, confusion, balance issues, mood changes or inappropriate reactions along with rock-eating, see a vet for testing. ![]() Brain tumors, epilepsy and similar conditions affect the way your dog’s brain works, scrambling signals and prompting him to behave abnormally. Neurological Diseaseĭiseases of the brain and nerves can be responsible for all sorts of bizarre symptoms, including rock-eating. If it is, don’t worry - hypothyroidism is generally easy to manage with affordable medication, a good diet and regular checkups. This condition is the result of an underactive thyroid, which doesn’t produce enough hormones to regulate hunger and energy.Ī vet can test your dog’s thyroid and determine whether it’s the cause of his rock-eating. If your dog’s rock-eating is accompanied by increased appetite, weight gain, lethargy, hair loss, ear infec tions, or skin problems, hypothyroidism may be to blame. When it’s not working properly, the resulting hormonal imbalances can cause strange food-related behaviors, including excessive hunger and pica. The thyroid is responsible for producing hormones that regulate various bodily functions, including appetite. Once your dog no longer needs extra minerals, his desire to eat rocks should subside. Resolving the nutritional deficiency should resolve the pica as well. A vet can do some bloodwork to check for specific nutrient deficiencies and test for worms, which steal nutrients from your dog’s digestive system. Malnutrition can be caused by a poor diet or by a medical condition like parasite infection. All they know is that they’re lacking in a certain mineral, and they use their incredible noses to sniff it out.Īnd if they happen to detect it in a rock, well, guess what’s getting eaten. Thus, they can’t extract those nutrients, making the whole endeavor pointless - and dangerous.īut dogs don’t know this. The problem is that dogs can’t digest rocks. And believe it or not, rocks do contain a few different nutrients that are essential for dogs: calcium, magnesium, iron, copper and zinc, among others. When dogs aren’t getting enough of a certain nutrient, their bodies instinctively seek it out wherever they can find it. Then consult this list to find out what’s causing your dog to eat rocks. Remove as many rocks as possible from your yard and any areas your dog frequents, and practice the “leave it” command to stop him from eating rocks on walks. Whatever the cause, it’s important to keep your dog away from rocks until the behavior is resolved. If your dog starts eating rocks suddenly or seems to have developed a habit of it, one of these conditions may be to blame. Pica is often a symptom of a larger problem rather than a standalone condition. Ignore it for too long and it could become a habit even if the underlying issue is resolved, so early detection is key. That’s not to say that you should encourage the behavior - quite the opposite - but rather that chances are high that your puppy will grow out of it pretty quickly.īut when pica persists to or appears in adulthood, it’s cause for concern. A young puppy that eats a couple of pebbles isn’t considered to have pica in that case, rock-eating is just normal experimentation. ![]() It’s normal for puppies to display pica-like behavior as they explore and learn what they can and can’t eat. Sticks, plastic, socks, and poop are also common pica cravings, and dogs with pica may eat them in addition to rocks. Rock-eating is a classic example of pica, which is characterized by the ingestion of non-food objects. ![]()
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