Has your dog eaten a rock? Then be assured that this is another common problem in dogs. There could be various reasons your fur baby has chosen to eat a rock.
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Why Do Dogs Eat Rocks?
Dogs that eat rocks may have an underlying health issue including:
- Starvation
- Abuse
- Behavioral issues (such as anxiety, stress, boredom, seeking attention, pica)
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Anemia
So, if you’ve seen your dog eat a rock, then it’s important to call the vet right away. Your pup could develop some serious health issues from eating a foreign object such as a stone.
Signs & Symptoms of Rock Ingestion in Dogs
You’ll need to watch for these symptoms after your canine companion’s eaten a rock:
- Vomiting: the rock may come back up; however, if nothing comes up, then your fur baby may have a more serious medical issue.
- Lethargy: watch to see if your dog’s activity levels go down. If he’s normally active, and all of a sudden becomes very tired, this could signal he’s suffering a problem from eating the rock.
- Not eating or drinking: your fur baby may not have appetite if he’s eaten a rock. He may have no interest in food or water.
Other symptoms to watch for include abdominal pain and bloating. These could be signs that your dog has an intestinal blockage. This is an emergency and you’ll need to call the vet immediately.
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Ask a Vet Live NowWhat to Do if Your Dog Has Eaten a Rock
Even if the rock was small, it’s a good idea to call the vet for advice and guidance. The vet will probably advise that you bring your dog in for an exam.
The vet may perform x-rays to determine where the rock is in your pup’s digestive system. The images will also show if the rock is causing an intestinal blockage. Other tests may include blood tests to check for anemia and other health problems.
If the vet finds your dog has a bowel obstruction, then your fur baby will require surgery. This is a life-threatening condition that requires early treatment.
In other cases, if the stone was small, and it’s moving through your dog’s digestive tract OK, then the chances are high it will pass through without causing other problems.
If your dog is found to have other underlying medical issues, these will also be treated by the vet.
With early treatment, the chances are great your dog will have a complete recovery.
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Julie
Julie is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, where she studied Animal science. Though contrary to the opinion of her parents she was meant to study pharmacy, but she was in love with animals especially cats. Julie currently works in an animal research institute (NGO) in California and loves spending quality time with her little cat. She has the passion for making research about animals, how they survive, their way of life among others and publishes it. Julie is also happily married with two kids.
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