my friends dog eats stones . . .

[Alfiedog]

and I know this can't be good for him! Anyone else had this experience and how do you make your dog stop? Of course when people are around - we stop him, but every so often he sneaks one!

[yellowlabaeris]

That's so weird.

I'm not sure how to get him to stop. The only thing I can think of is Bitter Apple, it makes things taste really bad. But, it only works when it's wet and you can't possibly spray it on all the stones.

My dog eats sticks, but those can be digested.

It's kind of gross, but one night, I woke up to my dog throwing up. I waited till she was done, went over to her crate, and saw she threw up Plastic Wrap. It was soo odd.

[berrykat]

eating rocks is bad if she eats ones to large to pass she will need surgery to remove them.

[rabid_child]

As long as they're being digested its not a big deal. The problem is when one causes an obstruction. They can also cause the teeth to get ground down if she's chewing on them.

Best solution here is to always have the dog on a leash outside and nearby so he can't sneak. (Either that, or have a basket muzzle on the dog outside)

[berrykat]

can they digest rocks? I knew of a guy who totally removed his gravel driveway to discourage his rock eating dog. The dog had already had a couple surgeries to remove rocks from its tummy. Silly dog :)

[Kusinagi]

My dog will eat a plastic fork if they're within reach of him. For some reason he likes to eat plastic forks.

[berrykat]

I read a news story once of a dog that ate a birthday cake with the serving knife still in it. He lived. Hmmm maybe I should start a weird things dogs have eaten thread?

[Rie]

Hmmm maybe I should start a weird things dogs have eaten thread?
My cousin's dog ate half a TIRE (like from a car!) and was fine. :eek:

[yellowlabaeris]

Rocks can't be digested. As long as it just passes through and doesn't do any harm, he should be ok. It's not something that I would encourage.

[Alfiedog]

Thanks! I told my friend and now he's taking extra precautions that the doggy is stoneless;)

[Kusinagi]

I just read a news story about a dog who had a rubber duck in his stomach for five years. He (the 'owner') assumed the duck disolved, but it actually turned into a black thing as hard as any stone. They had to surgically remove it when the dog started finally showing symptoms that it hadn't passed.

[VeganLiz]

While you're around, you can bring something else outside for the dog to chew on or eat. Perhaps a favorite toy, or a new exciting one that he only gets when he goes outside with you. The second he starts to show interest in eating a rock, distract him with the toy or treat, and praise him when he plays with it/eats it. See if you can even get him to practice his obedience. That'd be distracting and entertaining for him, too. A dog shouldn't really be left outside unsupervised. Not only because they are pack animals and thrive on being with others, but also because of the many dangers there are. Dogs have been taken from people's yards, abused, killed, or sold to labs. Sure, they are mostly extreme cases, but it is all too easy for someone to harm a dog left alone who can't move from his tie-out or enclosure. Besides, I'm sure your friend's dog would be happier to be inside playing with the two of you! On a more positive note, most of the time dogs eat strange things, they pass with no problem. I volunteered at a shelter for six years, and not one dog who ate an oddity (and there were plenty of them) had to get surgery.

[mysteriouspoet]

That's so weird.

I'm not sure how to get him to stop. The only thing I can think of is Bitter Apple, it makes things taste really bad. But, it only works when it's wet and you can't possibly spray it on all the stones.

My dog eats sticks, but those can be digested.

It's kind of gross, but one night, I woke up to my dog throwing up. I waited till she was done, went over to her crate, and saw she threw up Plastic Wrap. It was soo odd.

P.S. off topic...your dog looks like a real sweetie pie. :)

[mysteriouspoet]

Now, to actually address this thread: I have no idea how to make a dog stop eating stones. That can't be good for them.

Maybe there's some nutritional deficiency or some other thing that makes rocks appealing? Aw, I'm not a vet. Wish I could help, though.

[mouse]

I know that I have read of this phenomenon somewhere. You could probably do a google search.

[Alfiedog]

While you're around, you can bring something else outside for the dog to chew on or eat. Perhaps a favorite toy, or a new exciting one that he only gets when he goes outside with you. The second he starts to show interest in eating a rock, distract him with the toy or treat, and praise him when he plays with it/eats it. See if you can even get him to practice his obedience. That'd be distracting and entertaining for him, too. A dog shouldn't really be left outside unsupervised. Not only because they are pack animals and thrive on being with others, but also because of the many dangers there are. Dogs have been taken from people's yards, abused, killed, or sold to labs. Sure, they are mostly extreme cases, but it is all too easy for someone to harm a dog left alone who can't move from his tie-out or enclosure. Besides, I'm sure your friend's dog would be happier to be inside playing with the two of you! On a more positive note, most of the time dogs eat strange things, they pass with no problem. I volunteered at a shelter for six years, and not one dog who ate an oddity (and there were plenty of them) had to get surgery.


Oh no - all dogs are only outside supervised, or they stay inside! I would never ever ever leave my dogs outside without supervision. Hell, I watch tv on the floor because they take up my couch!

Scamp (the stoner dog) only does this when he's at my house because we hang out outside. I do try to get him BEFORE he gets the rocks but he's a little sneaky about it.

[SilverC]

He wouldn't happen to be a golden retriever, would he? For whatever reason, goldens seem to love rocks!

I've seen all sorts of weird things come out of dogs: Rocks, buttons, nylons, socks, a diaper, toys, even an SOS pad! The things they find yummy is just mindboggling!

What about spritzing some Bitter Apple spray or something he finds unpalatable around the spots he seems most likely to try to raid? After awhile, maybe he'll start associating rocks with ick, instead of yum.

[Alfiedog]

He wouldn't happen to be a golden retriever, would he? For whatever reason, goldens seem to love rocks!

I've seen all sorts of weird things come out of dogs: Rocks, buttons, nylons, socks, a diaper, toys, even an SOS pad! The things they find yummy is just mindboggling!

What about spritzing some Bitter Apple spray or something he finds unpalatable around the spots he seems most likely to try to raid? After awhile, maybe he'll start associating rocks with ick, instead of yum.


Actually he was rescued from the hood, but he appears to be a retreiver/lab mix!!

He doesn't mind Bitter Apple, or being sprayed by water, or being given a time out:(

[cheekywhiskers]

I would definately get that dog xrayed to make sure there are no lingering stones that are not passing. If that occurs, there may be problems down the road.
As far as preventing rock eating, the best way is to block access to the area of rocks. Also since this is only at your house, take a look at the rocks. There may be something about those particular rocks that are appealing. It may also be a nervous habit due to being at your house. You would need a behaviorist (not necessarily a vet) to analyse the situation and make some suggestions to really solve the problem. I'm sure you could find someone reasonably priced by surfing the net or calling your vet or humane societies.

[Alfiedog]

I would definately get that dog xrayed to make sure there are no lingering stones that are not passing. If that occurs, there may be problems down the road.
As far as preventing rock eating, the best way is to block access to the area of rocks. Also since this is only at your house, take a look at the rocks. There may be something about those particular rocks that are appealing. It may also be a nervous habit due to being at your house. You would need a behaviorist (not necessarily a vet) to analyse the situation and make some suggestions to really solve the problem. I'm sure you could find someone reasonably priced by surfing the net or calling your vet or humane societies.


Frankly I think he enjoys chewing the rocks. I actually stated the topic wrong - he doesn't - or rarely - does he swallow them. He kind of keeps it in his mouth and rolls it over and over and chews on it (like chewing tobacco) and then spits it out.

He has done this when we lived together as well (my ex's dog) so I don't think it's nerves from being at my house per se.

But we should probably take an xray every few years to make sure it hasn't developed into anything!

[Min]

It amazes me the stuff dogs will eat I have cats & they are the pickiest little things ever :) They wont eat shrimp or chicken as you can tell i havent tried the vegetarian thing with them yet my one cat is diabetic & im afraid to mess around with his diet.

[Peter Thorne]

yeah, its alright if the stones arent too big, me and my brother were at a friends place one day and their dog walked up and dropped a stone at my feet so i kicked it and he brought it back, we made a game out of it for five minutes then the dog just swallowed it and me and my brother were just like "WTF, he didnt just eat it? did he?"
the dog has like 2 teeth left because of it eating them