Why dogs should not play with rocks

 

Although some may be thinking that their dog playing with rocks is harmless, here are the reasons why it is not recommended and what could happen as a result.

Choking Hazards

Doing activities such as running, jumping, and playing while having something in your mouth significantly raises the risk of choking compared to doing these things with nothing in your mouth; thus, there is no need to go into greater detail.

Broken Teeth

Vets commonly encounter dogs whose teeth have been damaged by rocks. Even if your pet does not actively chew on the stones, they still stand a chance of having a broken or chipped tooth. A dog’s tooth can easily break if they’re simply attempting to hold onto a rock in their mouth. Even if they’re running or colliding with another canine while carrying it gently – a broken tooth is still possible. 

Impactions and bowel obstructions

The risk of death from a broken tooth is extremely low, however, impaction or obstruction of the tooth can lead to more serious injury or even death. Veterinarians with minimal experience in small animal practice have all had the occasion to perform emergency surgery on a canine with an impeded or blocked digestive system. Internal surgeries, many of them being obstructions, rank fourth among the most common pet surgeries; dental surgery takes second place. Should medical treatment not be administered promptly, it is possible that an obstruction can lead to death if it cannot be overcome without help. 

Parasites 

All the time, dogs consume disgusting items and slake their thirst from puddles. However, the principal factor for internal parasite infestations is when canines pick up objects off the ground like rocks or even feces from other animals. The potential danger is magnified if your canine displays such behavior in dog parks and other places where other canines, or even wild animals, are present.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorders

When a dog is allowed to play with rocks, they become preoccupied with them; it’s usually the first activity they do when let outside, and they frequently carry one around while outdoors. If you let them, they can bring rocks indoors and have them all day long; this can range from mildly amusing to hazardous if the fascination progresses to rocks being eaten. Despite playing with rocks for years, a canine may still start swallowing them at any point in time. Furthermore, the more rocks they transport, the more probable it is for one or multiple to be swallowed accidentally.

Conclusion

Your pup should never engage in play with rocks, and here are some reasons you may have known, as well as a few you may not know. Items like rocks, sticks and other objects which are not intended to be chewed on, consumed or played with can be more hazardous than toys that are suited for your dog’s need to play.