One of the most common non-food items for dogs to eat are rocks, but why do dogs eat rocks in the first place? The consumption of non-food items that provide no physical benefit to the dog can occur with a condition called pica and can be a manifestation of a true medical condition or a behavioral condition.
The miniature schnauzer weighs only 11 to 20 pounds and is the smallest of the schnauzer breeds. They’re known for being pretty healthy, especially as smaller dogs. Like many smaller dogs, miniature schnauzers worked as ratters originally. Therefore, they have a high prey drive and are pretty sturdy.
Mental enrichment is a big part of caring for your dog. Many dogs need to keep busy, whether with puzzle toys, interactive play, or dog sports such as agility, dock diving, or flyball. A dog that lacks the stimulation that comes with these activities may start behaving destructively.
An anxious dog may manifest their anxiety similarly to a bored dog. This includes destructive behavior, like chewing things and ingesting non-food items. Anxiety may be generalized, or a dog may have specific anxieties such as separation anxiety, fear of noises, or other specific phobias.
Certain dogs are also susceptible to compulsive disorders. Compulsive disorders in dogs can manifest in many different ways but is always characterized by repetitive behaviors, such as tail-chasing, constant licking, spinning, chasing lights and shadows,
Eating rocks isn’t just a quirky, nuisance behavior. It can actually cause intestinal blockages that require emergency surgery and can be life-threatening in certain cases. Additionally,
A dog food that is "complete and balanced" has all of the nutrients required to keep your dog healthy, and those nutrients are in the correct ratio for your dog’s nutritional needs, as described in the AAFCO standard for your dog’s life stage.
If your dog has an affinity for eating rocks, it might be prudent to remove rocks from your landscaping. Basket muzzle training can also be beneficial for walking your dog in areas where there may be rocks or other foreign objects they want to try to eat.
If no physical causes are uncovered for your dog's behavior and eating rocks appears to be a manifestation of a behavior problem such as anxiety or compulsive disorder, getting these behaviors under control will be very important in stopping the rock eating