Hi, My nearly 2 years old lab eats rocks and pebbles from time to time. The next day he will throw them up (hopefully!) After that, he will eat more grasses and throw up 2 or 3 more times. Is that because the rock upsets his stomach so he needs to vomit a few more times? I know it could be dangerous and it is so upset to see him suffering from the vomiting. I tried everything I could to stop him from picking up rocks to swallow. But you know that can never be 100% sure. I still don't know why the dog eats rocks or pebbles. Is there anything else I can do to get rid of this kind of behaviour? I can't pay a visit to the vet every single time when I find rocks in his poo or vomit. It is just too expensive! Please, can anyone help? Thanks! Linus
Hello there It's a bit difficult to suggest much, really - perhaps you can tell us more about him, and his routine. Picking up pebbles is quite normal in puppies, but it usually stops as they get a bit older. When does he eat the pebbles? How much training and exercise does he get? How often is he left alone? Does he chew anything else? If it is just a habit, there is nothing much you can do but restrict access to pebbles and train a really strong interrupeter cue - so you can get him to turn towards you if he goes to pick up a pebble. And hopefully if you keep distracting him, the habit will fade away. You could consider a muzzle if you can't stop him any other way and fear for his health because of it. I'd try to consult a trainer or behaviourist first though. If he is doing it because of another reason - stress, boredom, because he needs to chew - then trying to identify and tackle those reasons would be the thing. Sorry not much help, perhaps someone with direct experience will be along soon.
Just a thought but could he be in pain somewhere? I had a weimaraner years ago who would eat pebbles then throw them up 1 or 2 days later, found out he was suffering hip dysplasia which was causing a great deal of pain, once the hips were sorted he stopped eating pebbles.
