Why does the puppy eat stones and cement? Why does a dog eat soil and what should the owner do in such a situation? How to deal with this problem

Reasons why puppies eat stones and dirt on the street: how the owner should react

Among novice dog breeders or those people who are faced with a problem for the first time, the question sometimes arises: why does a puppy eat dirt and stones - is this the norm or a sign of deviation? There are a lot of provoking factors, and not all of them, unfortunately, are harmless. To identify the exact cause of the deviations, you need to take your pet to a veterinary clinic, where he will undergo a medical examination.

Mental disorders as a reason for eating earth and stones

There are many reasons why a dog eats stones. One of them is the development of psychoneurological diseases. Just a few decades ago, veterinary medicine did not consider mental illnesses of four-legged friends at all.

They cannot complain, therefore there are no statistics.

However, numerous reviews from dog owners, including German shepherds, indicate that they suffer from mental disorders and emotional distress.

Little curious puppy

Important! Numerous scientific studies have shown that dogs are more sensitive to emotional pain than humans.

In veterinary medicine, the desire to eat stones is compared to bulimia in humans. Violations of this type are conventionally divided into two types:

Coprophagia - the pet eats not only stones and earth, but also its own feces. The disease can manifest itself either independently or in combination with others. If you suspect that your pet is developing an illness, you should show it to a veterinarian to rule out the possibility of developing dysbacteriosis and vitamin deficiency.
Pica is a condition in which an animal constantly experiences a feeling of hunger, which is why it eats everything around it, including inedible objects. The disease has several stages of development.

Today, unfortunately, dogs with unhealthy psyches are a common occurrence. Genetic predisposition plays an important role. The hardest thing is for yard dogs, who are in a state of stress almost all the time.

Causes not related to diseases

A dog chews its paws: why and what the owner should do

Puppies, like human children, are inquisitive, restless and try to diligently study the world around them, testing everything to their teeth.

Dog tries to eat a stone

Replacing baby teeth with permanent ones

The puppy eats stones quite often due to the replacement of baby teeth with permanent ones. The fact is that this period is characterized by inflammation of the gums, they itch and cause discomfort to the baby.

Changing teeth is another period in a dog’s life when they can do unusual and inexplicable things to others. As a rule, this happens to babies aged 4-6 months.

The duration depends on the individual characteristics of the organism, as well as the breed and is mainly 7-9 weeks.

What the owner is recommended to do for his pet during this period:

Enrich your daily diet with protein foods.
Try to protect your pet from stressful situations, for example, long trips, changes in place of residence.

What do puppies' baby teeth look like?

It is necessary to purchase or give the puppy objects on which he can scratch his inflamed gums. Pet stores and veterinary pharmacies sell special deontological toys.

Children's curiosity

If the owner notices that his child is eating pebbles on the street, then there is no need to panic ahead of time. It is quite possible that the animal assumes that these solid objects are food, but after tasting them, he will be convinced from his own experience that they no longer deserve his attention.

Some puppies may forget about the first and subsequent experiences and will taste the pebbles again. If this coincides with a period of active knowledge of the world around us, then there is no reason to panic.

Note! Small pebbles will “travel” through the organs of the pet’s gastrointestinal tract and leave it naturally.

Attractive aroma

It's no secret that dogs have a sensitive sense of smell and they can smell even subtle odors with ease. Answering the question why a dog chews stones, we can assume that they are located near the shore of a reservoir, therefore, they emit an unfamiliar smell and have a salty taste. This may attract your pet.

During walks, dogs also often grab and try to “eat” pebbles on which people had cooked meat a little earlier during a picnic.

The danger of perverted appetite in dogs

Why does a puppy hiccup after eating: reasons and what to do

Uncontrolled absorption of inedible objects can provoke a number of serious complications that can cause serious damage to the health of the pet:

The animal may choke, and in the absence of emergency assistance, even suffocate.
Intestinal obstruction. If a large stone is swallowed, it can block the intestines. In this case, only a quick operation will save the pet.
Severe damage to the soft tissues of the pharynx and teeth.
Vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea.

The listed consequences are already enough to protect your pet from hard and inedible objects.

Intestinal obstruction in a dog due to a stone

Dysbacteriosis

A common disease accompanied by a disruption of the dog’s natural intestinal microflora. As the pet develops, he is worried about flatulence, bloating, and food is not completely digested. Against the background of dysbacteriosis, vitamin deficiency often develops and, despite nutritious meals, the animal always experiences hunger.

Note! The development of dysbiosis can be provoked by poor-quality nutrition or treatment with aggressive medications.

Avitaminosis

This pathological condition is accompanied by a deficiency of vitamins, minerals, macro- and microelements in the animal’s body. This encourages the animal to consume even inedible objects, for example, stones, earth, whitewash. The pet has a strong appetite and is rapidly gaining fat mass.

Worm infestation

A common phenomenon in which parasites live in the body of an animal. The most common are worms. Their eggs enter the body along with food, water, and they can also be found on the fur, which the pet regularly licks.

The condition is accompanied by a feeling of pressure in the abdominal cavity, as well as severe itching in the anal area.

The muzzle of a dog that ate dirt

What to do if your puppy eats dirt and stones

Why does a dog eat dirt on the street: the reason

To wean your puppy from such actions, you should pay more attention to his upbringing:

Even though the mischief maker is still small, he should be familiarized with the “Ugh!” command as quickly as possible.
Having noticed that the puppy has shown interest in the ground or stones, you need to sharply say “No” or “Ugh” and carefully pull the leash.
It is highly recommended to take treats with you on walks to encourage your little pet's obedience.
Every time the pet obeys and stops being interested in the ground or stones, it must be rewarded with treats.

This approach allows the animal to understand that edible objects can only be seen in the owner’s hand or in its bowl.

Often the dog begins to actively eat earth, stones, sand and/or cement due to mental disorders. Specifically we are talking about depression. In this case, you need to analyze the living conditions of your beloved pet. Often such phenomena are caused by jealousy towards a new family member.

There are many reasons why a pet starts eating stones and dirt. To identify the provoking factor, it is necessary not to get confused, but to take the animal to a veterinarian, who will collect the necessary tests and conduct an examination.

Source: https://gafki.ru/sobaki/pochemu-schenok-est-zemlyu-i-kamni.html

Why do dogs eat dirt and soil with pebbles and other natural debris?

The primary reason why animals eat the earth is that it contains huge amounts of salts and minerals that every animal needs as it grows. Therefore, the main reason is a lack of essential microelements. Even if the dog eats expensive, high-quality food or is on a special diet, there may not be enough microelements on the menu. Even when vitamin complexes are added to the diet, the animal understands that it is missing something.

The second reason may be depression in the pet. Don’t be surprised, dogs also tend to get depressed and thus show the owner that they feel bad and want more attention. Depression may be associated with moving, a change in weather, or the puppy may simply miss you when you are at work. Under no circumstances punish your child for this, but rather give him a little more time and attention. This way the puppy will be able to better adapt to new conditions and get used to the new rhythm of life.

The only danger for a pet in eating soil is that it can in the process introduce eggs and larvae of various helminths and other parasites into the body. If the puppy was treated for parasites in a timely manner with high-quality modern means, there is no need to be afraid. If for some reason you missed taking these medications, then it is better not to delay it. Otherwise, eating earth and pebbles cannot be dangerous for your pet. Even if the puppy eats a little earth or a couple of small stones or twigs, it will not cause any serious consequences.

ᐉ Why does the puppy eat dirt and stones? — zooshop-76.ru

Any dog owner will be horrified when he notices his puppy eating dirt. Stones that a dog swallows along with soil are not digested. Once in the gastrointestinal tract, they injure the soft tissues of the intestines and stomach. In addition, the animal can damage its teeth, choke and suffocate. To wean a puppy from a bad habit, you need to understand the motives of his behavior.

Causes of the disorder

It’s worth mentioning right away that you can’t say that eating soil is a normal process, because even for frivolous reasons, the dog’s health will seriously deteriorate after a certain time.

But you can’t immediately sound the alarm; you need to understand the problem in detail. The most important thing is to understand why the dog eats soil.

Here are the main problems that cause soil eating among dogs quite often:

The desire to taste everything, as well as an attempt to study the world around us. This reason is probably the most harmless, and it only applies to puppies.

Almost all dogs strive to explore the world by taste, and there is nothing strange in the fact that a dog eats soil when you just got it.

But do not ignore this, because eating soil will lead to unpleasant consequences.

The desire to attract the attention of the owner. This reason also applies to puppies. The fact is that many of them strive to earn the love and trust of their owner. But, unfortunately, quite often they do it in a strange way. Try (if possible) to spend more time with your pet, play with it and pay attention, then the problem may solve itself.

Psychological problems. Also, a “craving” for soil can also manifest itself in older pets; it is worth highlighting psychological problems as the main cause of this deviant behavior.

This could happen as a result of, for example, a move or the death of another dog who also lives with you. You can solve this problem yourself.

Just start paying more attention to your pet by constantly playing with it.

Lack of vitamins. Often people do not monitor their dogs’ diet, this problem especially concerns young dogs, whose bodies need vitamins and nutrients for the dog’s development. Review your pet's diet, then the question of why the puppy eats soil will be resolved on its own.

Re-read these reasons several times. You must understand what your pet is missing. If no psychological shocks have occurred recently, and your dog is already an adult, then you should contact a veterinarian, who will conduct a diagnosis and help identify the disease that caused this disorder.

Method for diagnosing the causes of the disorder

When a dog eats soil, the cause of this disorder interests the owners most of all, but first you need to pay attention to how the pet does it. Such observation will help you draw certain conclusions.

Option 1. Swallows soil only along with grass

It is worth noting that eating grass is completely normal. Thus, the animal can diversify its diet; it is not worth driving it away from the grass. In such situations, the pet, of course, does not have the opportunity to clear the grass of black soil, as a result of which it is eaten.

It is very strange that many dog breeders get seriously worried during such situations. A very small amount of chernozem enters the dog’s body, which most likely will not harm it. But you need to make sure that there is only a small amount of such soil, otherwise the pet will suffer from digestive disorders.

It is also worth noting that the herb has a positive effect on the same digestive system, cleansing the stomach and intestines.

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Forum » Questions and answers for beginning dog breeders » The puppy eats stones, sand, cement.. » Reply

The puppy eats stones, sand, cement...

YAD

: Our new YAD member asked a question. The administration believes that this issue is important for novice puppy owners and should be highlighted as a separate topic for discussion. They need to eat grass, that's right. They lick themselves, the fur gets in, and then comes out with the help of grass. I have a Persian. The cat also eats a lot, a lot, a lot of grass, this is normal! But I have another question so as not to create a topic.

Mine eats not only grass, but also sand, and soil (as explained to me - this is also normal, she needs it, just give her vitamins!), and most importantly - STONES! We walked for only 2 days. Then we got the last vaccination, now we are waiting. So it’s impossible to keep track of her - she eats STONES from the blind area of the house, in the sand, just on the ground.

I barely have time to take it out - it’s so scary! What if I don’t have time, it gets ingested and... They said that I need to give vitamins. We give 3 types - for the skeleton, a multivitamin complex and some others. But don’t overfeed her with all sorts of pills? It’s also important not to overdo it with vitamins! I’m asking because these days we’re starting to take vigorous walks and get used to the street.

Answers - 13

Tata

: On the Zoovet forum (c) a similar question was asked about the puppy eating stones. Here is the veterinarian's answer Chickens have a special anatomical structure of the stomach and they need pebbles to help grind food in the muscular part of the stomach, because they do not have teeth. But this is not the norm for dogs.

The reason may be a violation of vitamin-mineral metabolism, or the absorption of these substances; often with rabies, a perversion of appetite develops. You may need to take blood tests to find out the reasons, do not let your dog eat sand and stones, this leads to injury to the intestinal walls and can lead to intestinal obstruction.

In general, I think that if a puppy eats stones and sand, then there can be any options - thus, with the help of teeth, the puppy learns about the world; lack of minerals; worms. For starters, you can try deworming. I’ve heard for a long time that for such problems they give activated carbon. Perhaps, as the veterinarian advises in the quote above, you need to take a blood test.

But in any case, in my opinion, we should try to stop such eating, strictly say “ugh”; distract and switch to the game.

Source: https://aquatech-spb.ru/zdorove/sobaka-est-zemlyu-prichina.html

Causes

In veterinary practice, the need for non-food products is called perverted appetite. There may be several reasons why a puppy eats dirt. These include:

Curiosity. Puppies are active and inquisitive. Like small children, they explore the world around them and taste everything. The discomfort caused by cutting teeth “adds fuel to the fire.”
Boredom. Often, eating stones is an attempt to attract the owner’s attention to oneself. Don't get a dog if you don't have time to spend on it.
Nutrient deficiency. A lack of vitamins and minerals, such as iron, can encourage your pet to eat soil.
Helminthiasis. Deworming tablets should be given to all pets living in the house at the same time. Don’t forget about your own health: not only animals, but also people should be treated for helminths.
Other diseases: diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, heartburn, etc.

Are you wondering why your puppy eats dirt? Start by going to the vet. These examinations will show whether stone eating is caused by illness or behavioral problems.

Why does a dog eat stones: detailed analysis and tips

People sometimes have very strange habits that cause bewilderment among others. As it turns out, this is also true of dogs; some pets never cease to amaze their owners with their quirks.

However, more often than not, the “non-standard” behavior of animals has a well-founded explanation and is not associated with whim or whim. Experts are ready to answer many questions, including why a dog eats stones.

What kind of addiction is this, and should the owner of a pet with unusual taste worry?

What is the danger?

Stones are not suitable as food for animals, and eating them can cause serious illnesses and pathological conditions:

Damage to gums, teeth and soft tissues of the palate and pharynx . Owners of a guinea pig or rabbit know that their pet needs a special “sharpening” stone on which to grind its teeth. After all, these animals are constantly growing. But dogs do not have such a need; their dental apparatus is designed in such a way that when chewing too hard objects, the enamel of the teeth can become very thin, and damaged areas appear in the tissues.
Intestinal obstruction . Unfortunately, with this pathology, animals often die, since swallowed objects, including pebbles, lead to intestinal blockage, but only if the pet does not receive timely medical care. Intestinal obstruction requires surgical intervention. An acute disease develops suddenly, rapidly, and is accompanied by severe symptoms - vomiting, weakness, lethargy, bloating, and pain. The dog often lies down and is not interested in the surroundings, including the contents of his own bowl.
Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract . Stones, penetrating into the dog’s gastrointestinal tract, can provoke various unpleasant and even dangerous symptoms; vomiting, difficulty defecating, and diarrhea can be considered minimally harmful.
Trauma to the esophagus . A pebble with sharp edges can get stuck in the esophagus or cut its surface, causing bleeding. The longer a foreign body remains in this organ, the more it injures its mucosa; against this background, secondary pathologies often develop - stricture (narrowing) or perforation. The esophagus is considered a weak point in terriers, since the area where the distal part of the digestive canal, the base of the heart and the sternum opening is located is the narrowest.
Stopping breathing . If a large stone gets into the dog's throat and gets stuck, the animal will suffocate. In this case, emergency medical care is required, since after a short time irreversible processes occur in the brain cells.

So, eating stones can cause serious health problems, which means that the owner should not lose vigilance and monitor what gets into the mouth of his four-legged friend.

Gnaws pebbles out of boredom

Dogs are pets that are very attached to their owners and can become incredibly sad in their absence, and they do this in different ways. Some whine while sitting under the door, others entertain themselves by acting like vandals... Pebbles from a flower pot or a natural installation may fall into the distribution - the dog will not only scatter everything, but may also eat them.

On the street, a pet can pick up stones in its mouth and run away from its owner. In this way, he attracts the attention of a person, because he will want to catch up with the dog and take away the forbidden item. If the dog behaves this way, you should play with it using a toy or a stick, and then your four-legged friend will completely forget about the stones.

Diseases and pathological conditions leading to eating stones

In addition to completely understandable and harmless reasons, there are a number of situations where a dog’s consumption of pebbles is associated with some kind of pathology. In this case, it is recommended to urgently undergo examination by a veterinarian.

Diabetes

Many dog breeds have a genetic predisposition to this disease of the endocrine system: beagles, Dobermans, Labrador retrievers, poodles, Pomeranians, Scotch terriers. Diabetes mellitus is more often detected in older dogs, as well as in those suffering from obesity and other pancreatic diseases.

The owner should be concerned if the dog drinks a lot of water for no apparent reason, defecates frequently, eats more than usual, but his body weight decreases, and a putrid odor appears from his mouth. Without treatment, the dog will die, so you should seek help from a veterinarian as soon as possible.

What should an owner do if a dog eats stones?

First of all, it is advisable to take your pet to the veterinarian. After a diagnostic examination, he will either confirm or rule out the presence of diseases. Even if vitamin deficiency is detected, the trip will be useful - the doctor will prescribe the appropriate vitamins for the dog.

If the pet is absolutely healthy, then behavioral disorders will have to be eradicated. First of all, you should think about whether your four-legged friend gets enough attention and exercise? Perhaps he will forget about his bad habit if he walks longer with his owner, visits training grounds more often and receives more affection from him.

In addition, the dog should be trained - a well-mannered pet who has mastered prohibitory commands well will not engage in “stupid things” for no reason, for example, picking up trash on the street.

It is worth noting that among o-poodles, Labradors, huskies, spaniels, as well as homeless “wanderers,” there are often individuals with a perverted appetite. Even if you catch a pet doing something “indecent”, you cannot use physical punishment; it is enough to say “no” or “ugh”.

Dogs are man's best friends, living side by side with him for many millennia. They are able to adapt to the owner, his habits, daily routine and even behavior. Likewise, the owner should be more tolerant and forgive some of the oddities of his four-legged comrade. But it is worth knowing which habits do not deserve attention, and which ones harm, first of all, the pet itself.

Source: https://dogipedia.ru/pochemu-sobaka-est-kamni-podrobnyj-razbor-i-sovety/

How to stop a dog from eating soil?

Have you figured out the reasons, eliminated all the factors, got rid of helminths, provided your dog with comfort and vitamins, but she continues to chew the earth with gusto? Most likely, it's a matter of habit. From an early age, teach your puppy the commands: “Ugh!”, “No!”. As soon as the dog begins to absorb the ground, say commands and pull him off the ground using a leash. Do not use physical force under any circumstances, this can only make the situation worse.

Very often, inexperienced owners encounter strange behavior in their pets. For example, some puppies begin to empty the contents of flower pots or chew soil from a neighbor's flowerbed. After reading today's article, you will understand why dogs eat soil and whether they need to be weaned from this habit.

Why does a dog eat stones or about a perverted appetite?

Perverted appetite in dogs

While walking with your pet (read more about dog walking), you find that he enjoys eating...rocks and dirt? And, despite all your prohibitions and even punishment, your dog does it with great pleasure? Before we develop a strategy and tactics for dealing with this situation, let’s find out why this happens. What motivates dogs to eat completely inedible objects?

Perverted appetite of dogs

Do you buy the most expensive food for your pet (find out what is best to feed your dog), try to pamper him with dog treats, but he still eats stones, soil and even the excrement of other animals during walks? Experts call this phenomenon perverted appetite.

And such behavior, when a dog eats completely inedible things and objects, is not normal. And, although there are experts who say that since a dog eats it, it means it needs it, we would not recommend that you indulge such unnatural desires.

All these items that are not intended for consumption - stones, earth, excrement, ropes, pieces of wood, pieces of carpet - all this is not able to be digested by the animal’s body, accordingly, such a “menu” can cause serious diseases and disruptions in the processes digestion and even lead to the death of the animal. ↑

Causes of perverted appetite in dogs

In fact, there are a lot of reasons that could explain such perverted tastes of your pet.

These could be health problems - your dog really lacks some vitamins, but this does not mean that he can find them in the yard cobblestones (read about vitamins for dogs), this may be due to age-related changes in the animal’s behavior and his old age - dogs, like people, age and lose clarity of mind (about the old age of dogs), and perhaps this behavior of the pet is connected with his desire to attract your attention to himself, albeit in such a sophisticated way, to the detriment of his health.

After examining the dog, conducting examinations and passing tests, he will be able to determine the cause of your pet’s perverted appetite, prescribe treatment - if the problem has veterinary roots, or advise you to contact a zoopsychologist - if this is due to changes in your dog’s behavior. Read more about correcting dog behavior. ↑

How to stop a dog from eating inedible objects

Dog behavior correction

In turn, for your part, you can also take the initiative and, following our tips and recommendations, try to wean your pet from eating inedible items. ↑

Your behavior in this situation

So, in particular, you should learn that shouting and punishment in such a situation are useless. If your dog is unfamiliar with commands, and you shout “fu” or “no” to him, he does not understand what you require from him (find out how to teach your dog these commands here).

Moreover, if the purpose of such behavior was to attract your attention, then now the dog is rejoicing and thinking about what it should eat that is so inedible next time so that you will pay attention to it.

So, pretend you're ignoring the problem, but instead... offer your dog something else to chew on, like a harmless dog chew toy. Get yourself a couple of these and alternate them, periodically offering your pet something new.

Perhaps in this way you will be able to control his desire to simply chew something, and if such a need arises, he will run to you rather than eat stones. ↑

Special effects

The next time your dog begins to indulge his perverted appetites during a walk, startle him with a loud noise, but do it in such a way that he cannot associate the source of the noise with you.

Alternatively, spray your dog with water from a water pistol. When the dog stops eating stones, praise him for this behavior.

It is enough to behave in this way several times for the dog to form a chain of reflexes: a stone is a loud sound, and he will most likely refuse such a “menu”. ↑

New diet

Well, of course, you should definitely reconsider your dog’s diet. What does she eat? Maybe it's worth changing the food? ↑

Take precautions

And while you are retraining your pet and introducing it to new food and rules, do not forget about precautions. Walks only on a controlled leash in safe places and under your supervision. Perhaps even muzzled. At least until your dog is noticed to no longer suffer from a perverted appetite...

about dogs

Today we talked about a problem that many dog owners face, especially those who are already in old age, such as perverted appetite and eating inedible objects while walking. You can continue the list of these items yourself. We learned why dogs behave this way, and also looked at ways and options on how to wean your pet from this habit. We hope that our tips will be useful to you.

Have you noticed your dog’s tendency to have a perverted appetite and eat stones and earth... How did you deal with this problem? Share your experience with us.

Source: https://nutriacultivation.ru/archives/7556

Who is susceptible to pathology

More often this happens with puppies, not only German Shepherds, aged 2 to 3 months.
Males and females are susceptible. Raising a puppy is a difficult process. Whims and illnesses are quite normal, the main thing is to pay attention to the violations in time. By the way, if the dog is no longer a puppy, a perverted appetite can be a symptom of rabies.

The described violation is less relevant to people who regularly feed their dogs animal food. For example, minced meat purchased from a farm. In this case, the meat is ground directly with the bones of the killed animal, and the dog receives double benefit.

Try to feed your animal food designed to improve bone structure, and provide the diet with vitamins.

Why does a dog eat stones and why is it dangerous for him?

Category: Education

I recently met a young shepherd dog who preferred stones to sticks and other objects on walks. The owner threw a stone at her instead of a stick, she rushed after the toy, buried it and guarded it. I asked why the dog eats stones, to which the owner stated that she only supported her pet’s game.

This situation is not unique. However, playing with or eating pebbles is extremely dangerous. It is necessary for crocodiles and some species of birds to help digest the contents in the stomach.

Stones grind food for crocodiles to fully digest and help them dive deeper. Wild wolves have been observed to sometimes eat these inedible items. For dogs, playing with pebbles can cause irreparable harm.

And sometimes cause death.

Why are stones dangerous for dogs?

Damage to teeth and soft tissues of the pharynx. This is not a rabbit or guinea pig whose teeth are constantly growing and need to be ground down. The dog’s teeth wear down and then there will be nothing left to chew normal food with.
Intestinal obstruction.
In veterinary medicine, there are many cases of deaths of tailed animals because a swallowed stone (or many stones) clogs the intestines and only a timely operation will save the animal.
Diarrhea, constipation, vomiting - these troubles are also caused by solid inedible objects.
Injury to the esophagus or other organs of the digestive tract. Sharp angles cause bleeding, which will be difficult to find.
The pet may choke and suffocate.

This information is enough to try to protect your pet from such games or food. What are the reasons for eating stones?

Why does a dog eat stones?

For puppies, this is a banal interest in the world around them. Also constant discomfort from cutting teeth. If the puppy is constantly distracted and given safe toys, then after a while you can get rid of this dangerous habit.
Lack of minerals and vitamins.
This also includes a violation of the intestinal microflora, which provokes the animal to strange behavior, such as eating earth, rubble, plaster, chalk and other inedible objects. This is collectively called “perverted appetite.”
Helminthiasis.
It is better to remove worms from all animals living in the same house. Also on the same day it is necessary to hold an action to get rid of worms for people. Read more about how to rid your pet of worms here.
Boredom.
If a wet nose is bored and the owner doesn’t pay enough attention, then such entertainment will become a bad habit. Besides, it’s so much fun to run from the owner with a stone in his mouth when he shouts something threatening. You won't get such a reaction with a wooden stick.
Diabetes. Eating stones is another sign in identifying this disease.

What to do if your dog eats stones

Visit your veterinarian, who will run a series of tests to rule out certain diseases. If necessary, he will prescribe medications or vitamins. If the veterinarian does not prescribe any treatment, then solve the behavior problem. The simplest thing is to pay attention to your pet, exercise it physically and mentally.

If there is a scavenger dog living in the house, then the distraction method will help. You can offer your pet a treat to replace the spit out pebble. Continue to reinforce the animal's correct behavior.

Here are tips from Sofia Baskina, an animal behaviorist.

Most often the command “Fu!” is introduced to prevent the dog from picking up food on the street. Here, too, we need to make a retreat. It is much more important that the dog is not afraid of you and comes when you call than that it does not take food on the street. Therefore, never punish a dog that has eaten some kind of rubbish and now runs up to you.

1) take 2 pieces - in your left and right hand. Show a piece from your right hand, say briefly, in a low voice: “Ugh!” and close your palm, preventing it from grabbing the piece. And immediately - “Well done, ugh!” and give a piece from the left. Repeat until the dog, after the command “fu!” will not start to turn away from the piece and you will not need to cover your palm.

If she doesn’t pay attention to them, praise them and treat them from your hands. If he tries to grab him, “Ugh!” If the dog grabs a piece and you are sure that it will not bite you, try to put your palm in its mouth and press on the root of its tongue, forcing it to burp and saying “Spit!” They almost never regurgitate pieces, but they learn to spit out.

The method is quite unpleasant, but sometimes it saves the dog’s life if it grabs a poisoned piece and you manage to shout “Spit!” If you cannot do this, scold her and continue training again. The command "fu!" – negative and you shouldn’t do it for a long time, as you can ruin the contact with the dog. 5-7 minutes a day is more than enough.

3) If a dog picks up something on the street and runs up to you, tell it ew and try to pull this “something” out of its mouth, showing your piece of treat, try to exchange what you found on the street with your piece. Many owners, having taken a bone from a dog, throw it away and the dog again flies into the bushes and picks it up again.

It’s better to throw a bone at your feet and walk around it with the dog, repeating the command “Ugh!”

Some breeds are famous for their litter-giving tendencies. Most often these are dogs with a good sense of smell - Labradors, poodles, spaniels, pointers, huskies - or dogs with a homeless past. Such dogs will never walk past an abandoned chicken bone indifferently.

The maximum that can be done with them is to teach them not to take a piece on the command “Ugh!” or spit out on command “Spit!” That is, you will have to carefully monitor the dog while walking and notice that it is trying to pick up something.

Not a single such case should be left unattended, like today let him take it, I don’t have time, but tomorrow let him not take it, otherwise I’ll be ashamed in front of my neighbors.

Always scold your dog, you can throw a leash at him while he is trying to pick up something, and always stop scolding if he comes within 1.5 m of you or spits out a bone. Praise her immediately and move on. Keep your emotions under control. It is better to insincerely praise a dog than to sincerely beat it.

Why are tennis balls dangerous for dogs?

By the way, not only boulders, large and small, are dangerous for teeth, but also ordinary tennis balls, which we often give to our pets to play with. The fiber that covers the tennis ball has an abrasive property and wears down teeth. A stubborn dog can chew it and swallow the remains of the ball, which causes intestinal obstruction.

In this article, you learned about why dogs eat rocks and what you can do about it. Do not ignore this behavior of your pet. If your tailed friend lives in the yard, then remove all the stones so as not to provoke the animal. But instead of pebbles, offer something else to play with or chew on.

Source: https://www.osobake.by/pochemu-sobaka-est-kamni/

How to solve a problem

Many dog owners wonder what to do if their dog eats rocks. Have you noticed your pet eating the soil? Take the following recommendations into account:

Do not scold the animal, do not run after it, do not punish it. If the reason for the strange behavior lies in simple boredom, the owner’s attention will be a reward for the dog.
“Caught” a four-legged animal at the crime scene? Scare him with a loud bang or a spray from a water gun. If possible, stay “behind the scenes”: the dog should not see its “offender”.
Keep chew toys on hand if your puppy is teething. It is advisable to have several of them. When your pet gets bored with another toy, you can always replace it with another.
Don't forget about the dog's existence. Long walks, outdoor games, training, etc. will help relieve your puppy of boredom.
Check how balanced your dog's diet is. Change it if necessary. You can offer your puppy a bowl of activated charcoal or school chalk.
Keep your pet on a leash and don't let it disappear from your sight.

If the problem of eating stones has become a real disaster, it is necessary to act decisively. In this case, you can resort to the help of a professional dog handler. Usually two or three sessions are enough to wean a puppy from a bad habit.

Before contacting a dog handler, go to the hospital and consult with a veterinarian.

Perhaps the problem lies in the health of the animal. If the cause of the perverted appetite is a disease, training the puppy will be useless.

What to do to prevent the situation

It’s difficult to keep track of a dog like the most playful child, and you’re always shouting “Ugh, stop it!” impossible. In some cases, shouting will help, but the reason is not the dog’s stupidity, but instincts.

Dog handlers offer options for dealing with the scourge:

Feed the dog vitamins Canina, Canvit, Helavit, Pappy 8 in 1, liquid vitamins Trivit, Gelakan Baby;
Add tripe to your regular diet;
Give a small piece of chalk if there is not enough calcium. Buy natural chalk - there will be no benefit from chemical chalk. White chalk is required; colored chalk contains additives. Chalk does not so much help restore calcium balance as wean one from strange taste preferences;
If measures do not help, it is recommended to undergo a vitamin test - try different vitamins until the dog stops eating stones.

You should not tolerate such behavior from a dog for fear of developing a situation with damage to the animal’s gastrointestinal tract.

This situation is not unique. However, playing with or eating pebbles is extremely dangerous. It is necessary for crocodiles and some species of birds to help digest the contents in the stomach. Stones grind food for crocodiles to fully digest and help them dive deeper. Wild wolves have been observed to sometimes eat these inedible items. For dogs, playing with pebbles can cause irreparable harm. And sometimes cause death.