In order for pets to leave the Hawaii airport, there’s a multi-step process of showing proof of two rabies vaccinations and passing an OIE-FAVN (Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization) blood test measuring the response of the immune system to the rabies vaccine, after a 30 day waiting period. Then, you must meet specific island requirements.
When should I start planning my trip to Hawaii with my dog?
Plan early, months in advance, for Hawaii’s tight vaccine requirements, long before flight time, according to Hawaii’s Department of Agriculture (HDOA), Animal Quarantine Station division. Notify your vet as soon as possible to schedule your dog’s appointments during the appropriate time-frame (see below) before your trip.
Review the pre-flight checklist before you and your dog travel to Hawaii
A series of steps must be taken for a dog to be released from the airport through the Hawaii Direct Airport Release. To start, follow this vaccine checklist, which directs you to the correct set of requirements based on your final island destination.
Items on the checklist include:
Working microchip required
30-day minimum waiting period after last rabies vaccine
30-day minimum waiting period after FAVN blood sample has been received at lab
FAVN report must be received at the Animal Quarantine Station before arrival
Accredited vet must complete a health certificate within 10 days of your trip and administer flea and tick treatment before flight
Traveling directly to Kauai, Maui or Kona, follow Checklist #2 — Requires prior arrangements with an approved vet to meet you at the airport at your expense
Travel to Kauai, Maui or Kona requires a Neighbor Island Import Permit (NIIP) — requested at least 30 days in advance of arrival
Will my dog be quarantined in Hawaii?
“If they do not complete all the requirements in the required timeframe, the dog will not be released and will be held in quarantine in Hawaii or returned to the point of origin at the owner’s expense,” according to HDOA.
Hawaii animal quarantine information:
Cost for 120-day quarantine is $1,080.
Owners in Kauai may choose quarantine at the Kauai Humane Society at $100/day.
Some dogs have a job and love to work, but ancient breeds bred for hunting like the Borzoi are not that type of dog, says longtime breeder Pamela Jo Leichtnam from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. “They love the fun of the chase. They love to run, and they need to exercise,” she says. “But, once they are done with their run and their exercise, they can come in and be a couch potato just like other breeds. They don’t have to be active all the time. They don’t run all day; they can go out and have their exercise and then they rest.”
Training sighthounds like the Borzoi
There is a stigma about the temperament of sighthounds that their minds focus solely on the chase, but the Borzoi is biddable and trainable to be successful in just about any sport or arena.
“They are as smart as a fox,” says Pamela Jo. “They’re not hard to train — it’s just the amount of time you want to put into them to get what you want out of it, just as with any other breed.”
Borzois are treat driven when it comes to training, and it’s easy to train a dog that lives to please.
Best families for Borzoi temperament
Borzoi dog breeders have placed their puppies with families with children and with other dogs or with no children. However, Pamela Jo cautions against bringing an adult Borzoi into a home with smaller dogs or cats if the Borzoi is not used to smaller animals due his temperament.
“You must realize they are a hunting breed — they’ll chase a bunny or a squirrel,” she says. “If you have a smaller dog in the house or a cat, the best way to handle that is to buy a puppy and raise the puppy with that. It’s just their instinct.”
Borzois do best in homes with yards so they can run and do not do well in apartments only because of the need to exercise — going for walks is not enough for this dog.
“I think Borzoi are just very sweet, very biddable dogs, and an educated owner will make for a happy, long lasting relationship,” says Pamela Jo.
Astra, the 6-year-old Cocker Spaniel exhibited several vague clinical signs like not eating every few days and occasional vomiting. Blood tests showed significantly elevated liver enzymes. Many conditions can cause an increase in these values, but one enzyme caught my attention: ALT. ALT stands for alanine transaminase and is usually part of routine screening blood chemistries. Whenever a dog has a high ALT and no other liver enzyme elevations, it indicates chronic hepatitis could be the cause. Because Astra’s other liver tests were normal, it suggested this could be early in the disease course.
Symptoms of chronic hepatitis in dogs
The clinical signs associated with chronic hepatitis vary widely as a result of the multiple functions of the liver. The most common symptoms include:
A mild-to-marked decrease in appetite, often irregular and intermittent
Lethargy or being less active
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Increased thirst and urination
Distended abdomen that may be filled with fluid (ascites)
Pale yellow (jaundiced) tinge to the skin, eyes, ears and gums
In more severe cases, dogs may act strangely or exhibit neurological signs, such as: unresponsiveness, depression, aggression, blindness or staring into space, standing in corners, pressing their heads into walls or corners, and, rarely, loss of consciousness or seizures.
Chronic hepatitis may be detected on routine blood health panels and can be diagnosed before your dog develops illness. Once clinical signs of liver disease develop, the condition is often in a very advanced or late stage.
Tests for dogs to check for chronic hepatitis
In scenarios when a patient has fuzzy symptoms (ones that could come from a variety of issues) and elevated ALT like in Astra’s case, moving quickly is the patient’s best chance of surviving many forms of hepatitis. But, we needed more information to determine if Astra had chronic hepatitis and why. To do that, I needed to have a look at her liver.
While radiographs are useful in many cases, they’re not good at detecting subtle or minor abnormalities, particularly in organs such as the liver. I suspected this could be early chronic hepatitis, and I needed to confirm it quickly to begin treatment. To do that, I needed to use ultrasound.
Fortunately, a radiologist specialist visited our clinic once a week and would be available the following day. I needed to add Astra to her already busy schedule.
The radiologist performed the hepatic ultrasound and agreed that chronic hepatitis was likely. Based on her findings, I recommended Astra have a liver biopsy. Before that, we ran some blood clotting and additional liver-function tests to ensure Astra could undergo the relatively straightforward laparoscopic biopsy. This procedure is done under brief anesthesia through a small, keyhole-like incision in the skin.
How does a dog get chronic hepatitis
While I expected the diagnosis of chronic hepatitis to be confirmed, it’s never easy to accept. The biopsy showed increased liver copper, indicating Astra had a copper storage disorder. This is often a genetic disorder, but we don’t fully understand it yet. There are many causes of chronic hepatitis, but all require an early diagnosis to achieve successful outcomes. Some potential causes of chronic active hepatitis include:
certain medications (carprofen, phenobarbital, trimethoprim/sulfa, etc.)
infections (canine adenovirus type 1, leptospirosis)
Most cases of chronic hepatitis are of unknown etiology, and we still don’t fully understand the condition. Even when we identify chronic hepatitis early, many dogs still succumb to this terrible disease.
Treatment for dogs with chronic hepatitis
In Astra’s case, the first step was to remove the excess copper harming her liver through a medical process called chelation. I started her on d-penicillamine (D-Pen) and a low-copper therapeutic diet. The main side effect of this drug is nausea and vomiting, and it needs to be taken on an empty stomach to facilitate absorption and bioavailability. In dogs that experience upset stomach or decreased appetite, anti-nausea meds or a short course of steroids may help. I also advised offering distilled water if copper plumbing contributed to Astra’s condition.
After six months of treatment, Astra’s ALT liver enzyme returned to normal. I suggested we repeat the liver biopsy, but her owner declined. We chose to continue monitoring Astra’s liver tests every three months.
About a year later, Astra returned with the same symptoms as before. This time I noticed her eyes were yellowish as soon as I entered the exam room. Blood tests confirmed all her liver enzymes were increased, and she’d lost considerable weight. Sadly, it was time to let her go.
Chronic hepatitis is a disease that isn’t talked about enough in dogs. Even if your dog’s symptoms don’t seem specific for a disease, they’re real. It’s essential for you to be their advocate during the exam and insist on finding an answer. For Astra, her human family was able to spend another 18 months with her before she passed away, and those memories are incredibly precious to them.
Beagles are easily identified by their black, tan and white short fur, big brown eyes and floppy ears. Not to mention that howl. They’re also one of the smallest members of the Hound group, broken into two categories: measuring either 13 inches (or less) at the shoulder or between 13 to 15 inches. The Beagle’s cuddly temperament, strong sense of smell and hunter demeanor makes for a great, but often unpredictable, mixer with another dog breed’s amped up drive or feisty personality. Beagle mixes can often be the best of both breeds.
Dogster compiled a list of the most common Beagle mixes and what temperament you can expect from each mixed breed, based on the two parent dog breeds. Of course, as with all mixed breeds, there is no guarantee.
Fun plus snuggles equals the Puggle, or Pug-Beagle mix, who adapts well to smaller living situations. The Pug’s penchant for Brachycephalic syndrome, a breathing condition that affects flat-faced dogs, might not be too severe thanks to the Beagle’s longer nasal genes.
The Pug was bred to be a human companion, so expect extra cuddles and lap time from this mix.
Think: A Beagle who loves water with an extra shot of energy and affection, and you have this Labrador Retriever-Beagle mix. Based on the sizes of the two parent breeds, this mix will weigh anywhere between 25 and 45 pounds, but has a penchant for becoming overweight, due to a food loving gene combination. Regular exercise is a must.
One of the smallest Beagle mixes, the Cheagle is a very dependent and loyal dog that loves her person, much like the Chihuahua dog breed. Chihuahuas can be oblivious to their tiny size and and act as a watchdog, barking at strangers. The Cheagle measures 8 to 13 inches and weighs up to 20 pounds.
Think of this combination as the musclehead Beagle, thanks to the solidly-built American Pit Bull Terrier. The Beaglebull generally measures 18 to 20 inches and weighs 30 to 40 pounds, with a smooth, dense coat, similar to both the Beagle and the Pitbull.
American Pit Bull Terriers are affectionate and loyal if socialized from an early age. Mixed with the loyal Beagle, you may have a muscly cuddlebug on your hands.
Australian Shepherd-Beagle mix (Australian Beagle)
Measuring approximately 13 to 23 inches tall, the Beagle gets a color refresh thanks to the Australian Shepherd’s unique color patterns (Blue merle, black, red merle or red, all with or without white markings and/or tan (copper) points). This Beagle mix is likey to be a hard working and energetic dog, inheritting the intelligence, work ethic, endless energy and knack for dog sports from the Australian Shepherd and the Beagle’s hunting tendencies.
Boxer-Beagle mix (Boggle)
Looking for the fun and sometimes silly personality of the Boxer, but with slightly less energy? The Boggle takes the never-ending energy burst from the Boxer and tones it down with the Beagle’s laidback persona. The Boggle loves learning new tricks and thrives with an active family.
As with any breeding, do your research by going to the parent dog breeds’ club pages or Dogster’s breed profile pages and speak with the breeders to understand the positives and negatives when mixing two breeds. But most of all, enjoy your pup!
Marking in the house is a smelly and frustrating issue that’s challenging for dog owners to address. The key to stopping a dog’s marking is to understand your dog’s motivations for peeing inside. Then, consistently utilize positive reinforcement training methodologies and management to prevent the marking behavior.
Let’s start with the first step: Figuring out the why behind the behavior.
Why is my dog marking in the house?
Although your dog lifting a leg on your couch, wall or in the corner of the living room isn’t ideal, urine marking is a very natural behavior for dogs, who experience the world through their noses and leave their scent behind as a form of communication: I’ve been there, or this is my territory.
Many people assume that only male dogs, and specifically intact males, urine mark their territory, but this isn’t the case. Male and female dogs urine mark, regardless if they are spayed or neutered. Some female dogs even lift their legs to mark.
The main reasons your dog marks in the house are:
Your dog is trying to tell other dogs or animals the house is part of his territory.
To communicate and manage his feelings about changes or stressors in the home. Rearranging furniture, moving to a new space, new schedules or family members moving in or out.
Step 1: Rule out a medical issue. Take a trip to the vet, who will rule out any health conditions that’s causing your dog to have the urge to pee. Once this is ruled out, you know the marking is likely behavioral and it’s time to start working with your dog.
Step 2: Understand triggers. Pay attention to when and where your dog starts to mark — somewhere new, when another dog or animal has been in the home, new furniture or returning to the same location again and again. Once you can anticipate the behavior, you can prevent and interrupt the behavior.
Step 3: Supervise. Keep your dog in sight as often as possible, especially if he hang outs in an area of the house where he tends to mark, to intervene before he acts. Redirect him before he lifts a leg or squats. If you can’t fully supervise, keep him confined to a crate or dog-proofed room with an easy-to-wash floor in case an accident happens.
Step 4: Redirect. If you notice your dog sniffing the wall or furniture, use treats and toys to redirect him away from that area and bring him outside to potty. Redirecting your dog before marking is far more effective than trying to interrupt your dog once he starts and it reduces the frequency of future marking attempts. When your dog moves away from the area he was sniffing/about to mark, praise and encourage with treats and toy play.
Step 5: Manage your environment. Baby gates or tethering your dog to you with a leash around the house, keep your dog near you and in sight. Daily routine management is also important. When your dog wakes up from a nap or seems restless, direct him outside to potty. Back inside, continue supervising and redirect your dog away from the area he wants to mark.
Step 6: Prevention. For determined markers, wearing a diaper or belly band is a preventative measure. Dogs don’t like the sensation of being wet, so most won’t try to mark with the diaper on. Only use the diaper or belly band when you are nearby and able to intervene if your dog becomes stressed, distressed or entangled and regularly check that it’s not wet. When damp, change it right away to prevent irritation and discomfort. To protect your carpet, small, easy-to-wash area rugs and towels protect regularly marked areas.
Additional tips to help as you work with your dog, include:
Encourage outdoor marking: Provide an outlet for this natural marking behavior by giving your dog plenty of space and opportunity to urine mark in appropriate locations outside. Don’t rush your dog while walking; give him a chance to stop to pee.
Clean thoroughly: Clean up any accidents that do happen. If your dog smells pee, he’s more likely to continue trying to urinate in that location. The better you can clean and neutralize the urine smell, not just cover it up, the less likely your dog will continue to smell urine in that location and return to continue marking.
Don’t punish: As frustrating as marking in the house is, we don’t want to punish our dogs for peeing/marking. Instead, take him directly outside and then thoroughly clean the area. Think through what might have triggered the marking behavior and keep a closer eye on your dog.
Rachel Phelps, “America’s Pet Parent,” is an award-winning writer, photographer and certified dog trainer. She manages the career of her internet celebrity dog Preston from PrestonSpeaks.com. She has three Westies, who think they are mini-humans, and a cat, who rule the house. Learn more at rachelphelps.com.
How do you become a pet sitter? What if you have no experience? We’ve got answers from some of the nation’s top experts.
“You should take an inventory of your pet-care experience and knowledge,” says Beth Stultz-Hairston, president of Pet Sitters International (PSI), (an educational organization for professional pet sitters. “Consider questions such as your length of experience caring for your pets or pets of friends and family. What types of pets you have experience with? What type of relevant training you’ve had?”
If you need experience or want to ensure pet-sitting is in your wheelhouse, spend more time with animals.
“I highly suggest you volunteer at rescues or animal shelters,” says Amy Sparrow, president of the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS), the national nonprofit organization for professional pet-sitters. “Work at vets’ offices, kennels and doggy daycares.”
Pet sitters often transition to animal care from other industries. Suzanne Thomsen worked in corporate America and then as a teacher. She wondered if pet-sitting might be preferable to the boardroom and classroom.
The North Carolina mom had caregiving experience raising her children and dogs. Four years ago, she got her first pet sitting job and now has a new “leash” on a fulfilling career.
“I have my own hours, no constant requests and deadlines, no political environments, no demanding superiors, no talking-back students,” Suzanne says. “Pet-sitting is a relaxed environment with loving pets that only want your love.”
But before you quit your day job make sure you’re OK not working 9 to 5. Pet sitters work rain or shine, nights, weekends and holidays — popular times people go away.
Get certified as a pet sitter and join pet-sitting organizations
Though no federal regulations require pet sitters to have specific training, dig into certifications that prove you’re responsible and ready for emergencies.
Formal training in pet CPR and first aid is critical. PSI and NAPPS offer pet-sitter education and certifications that make you stand out from the pack.
“The pet-owning public needs an easily identifiable way to determine the most qualified, knowledgeable, professional pet-sitting options,” Beth says.
Join professional organizations to network and share information. Amy runs her own pet sitting company, but she learned from others in the biz as a newbie. “The smartest thing I did was join an association. I asked established members what they wish they would have done so I wouldn’t make the same mistakes,” Amy says.
How to start a pet-sitting business
First, decide how to run your pet business or service. Do you want to work for a company, start your own or work for yourself?
According to a PSI survey of its members, 99% of pet-sitting businesses are independently owned, and more than half are sole proprietors with no employees.
Even if you’re a one-person operation or work as an independent contractor through a pet care app like Rover or Wag!, create a plan for your accounting, tax and legal issues.
“One of the biggest downfalls of aspiring pet sitters is lack of business knowledge,” Beth says. “It’s important to seek out the tools and resources you’ll need to run a business efficiently and effectively.”
If you add employees, follow all the local, state and federal rules so you don’t end up in the doghouse. You may need to file a “doing business as” registration with your city or incorporate as a business with your state.
Be sure to get insurance. Even if you pet sit a few hours a month, you’re offering a service and could be liable if something goes wrong.
“General liability insurance is a must-have for all businesses,” says Janet Ruiz with the Insurance Information Institute. “It protects you and your company from common lawsuits arising from everyday business activities. It will cover you if the dog you were walking bit someone.”
If you drive pets in your car or bring them to your home, your auto or homeowners’ insurance may not pay if something happens while you’re on the job. Talk to an insurance agent about coverage. If you’re certified, you may get a discount.
“We often see businesses fail when they don’t have insurance and suffer losses,” Janet says. “Businesses with insurance are more likely to recover from losses.”
Amy has customized coverage for her clients’ pets and property.
“I have clients in multimillion-dollar homes,” she says. “I worry about a dog knocking a vase over or a dog who starts limping. The insurance covers that.”
How to find pet-sitting jobs
Demand for pet sitters is at an all-time high. Many pet care businesses are racing to hire more employees. Find a local pet-sitting business with openings or work through websites and apps that connect sitters with pet parents. Note that some companies take a cut of what you make. If you want to create your own company, paw through the following items before you get started as a pet sitter.
Decide on a memorable name for your pet-sitting service
Create a logo
Set up a website
Order business cards
Start advertising: Post flyers at dog parks, on social media and ask people to spread the word.
Ask for reviews after each successful pet-sitting job. “Your reputation is your most important thing,” Amy says.
Suzanne started by creating a profile on Rover. “You set your parameters: the number of pets, size of pets and distance you will travel. You set your fees,” Suzanne says.
Before a pet sitter can post a profile on Rover, she must pass a criminal background check, pass a safety quiz on pet body language and be approved by the company.
“Rover empowers our community of pet sitters and dog walkers to grow their businesses through our platform,” says Kate Jaffe, trends expert at Rover. “With the tools and resources we provide, sitters have the flexibility to set their own rates, schedules, services and choose which bookings they accept, so they can create a pet-care business that matches their unique needs.”
Wag! also requires caregivers to submit a profile, pass a pet-safety quiz, a background check and have business insurance. Once your profile is approved, you can start working that day.
“It could take months or years for a caregiver starting out on their own to find enough business to make their business a reality,” says Keith Mosley with Wag!. “But pet parents are submitting requests for both on-demand services and scheduled requests on the Wag! app.”
Going rate for pet sitters
“What should I charge?” is one of the most popular questions PSI receives from pet sitters.
The organization’s most recent survey found the average fee for a 30-minute pet-sitting visit was $24.18. An overnight visit averaged about $90.82. Pet-sitting rates vary depending on where you live.
“It’s important to research the going rate in your service area,” Beth says. “It’s also important to calculate your overhead business costs when determining your rates to ensure you can make a profit.”
Ask your clients to sign a contract specifying your role, rate and payment. “That’s just a smart business practice,” Amy says.
Words of advice for pet sitters
Network with other pet sitters to have backup caregivers in case you have to cancel.
Suzanne insists on meeting pets before accepting a job. She ensures she’s a good match, so everyone is safe rather than sorry.
“Having raised two children and taught hundreds of students, I know how important their safety and comfort are,” Suzanne says. “It’s no different when nurturing a pet.”
Questions to ask before becoming a pet sitter
Are you up for working weekends, nights and holidays?
Are you OK giving pets medication? Cleaning up if they get sick?
Are you calm in emergencies? With animals, there’s rarely a dull moment.
Do you have a plan for your health and business insurance and income taxes?
With the increase in states legalizing marijuana, weed is not only more accessible to humans, but also increases instances of a dog ingesting it.
Dog ate weed? First, don’t lie about it.
Dr. Anna Robinson, a small animal veterinarian in New Braunfels, Texas, stresses that you need to be completely honest with everyone when speaking about the issue.
“No veterinary professional worth anything cares if you are illegally (or legally) in possession [of marijuana],” she says. “It’s against our code of ethics and AVMA policy to report you — unless you are involved in an active animal abuse case — as you are seeking treatment for your pet.”
Instead, keeping this knowledge will frustrate and anger a veterinarian, who will run more tests as she ascertains what’s in your dog’s system. This increases treatment time, cost (due to increased lab work) and potentially worsening symptoms.
Dog ate weed: Second, check for clinical signs
Signs and severity differ based on how much weed your dog ate, what type of weed and how long it’s been in his system. Vet-approved amounts of CBD are safe for dogs, while THC is dangerous. If your dog consumed a baked product made with THC, there could be other harmful ingredients, such as herbs, chocolate, nuts or xylitol that are extremely toxic to dogs.
In the later stages after your dog ate weed, you might see:
If you realize within an hour of consumption, vomiting can be induced, preferably at a veterinary practice). Dr. Robinson stresses calling your veterinarian for dosing and recommendations for inducing vomiting.
Dog ate weed: Third, head to the vet
If your dog is showing clinical signs, or you saw your dog consuming weed, go to a veterinarian for evaluation immediately. “If ever in doubt it never hurts to bring your pet to a veterinarian, especially in this case, as the difference between having to wait in a dark room for symptoms to subside and needing IVs and decontamination is a deceptively short amount of time or exposure,” says Dr. Robinson.
Your veterinarian will also ask that you call a poison control line, which will assign you a case number and assist the veterinarian (either your regular vet or emergency vet).
A poison control representative will ask:
for a credit or debit card number up front
who you are and whether you are a legal owner of the pet you are calling about
for your pet’s signalment (breed, age, sex and if spayed/neutered)
if you’re in route to a facility
what the pet’s current symptoms are and may direct you to symptom specific first aid based on your response.
what the pet consumed, specifically product details, such as if the marijuana was in edible or cream form (i.e., is there chocolate or xylitol involved), whether subcomponents are listed as an ingredient (non-THC cannabinoids which act on similar receptors) and if the weed/CBD has a cut agent (meaning, some other herb, herbal oil extract or another legal or illegal drug).
“The latter we see especially frequently with CBD and weed popularity,” says Dr. Robinson. “Most veterinarians do not request poison control case numbers unless there is another toxicant involved, but the standard practice can vary between veterinary hospitals.”
Finally, you’ll get a case number and potential contact information for your veterinarian to use.
A final note: Swift action is key, but honesty and having detailed information are equally important when it comes to weed poisoning with your dog.
Have you ever thought about sharing your life with a rare breed of dog? There are 200 different breeds of dogs recognized by the American Kennel Club and each breed is unique. To determine how popular or rare a dog breed is, look at the American Kennel Club records for the number of a certain dog breed registered in the country. The fewer dogs who are registered, the rarer that breed is considered to be. The list is updated every year.
The American Kennel Club maintains a directory of breed clubs around the country. These breed clubs have volunteers who will answer questions you might have about these dogs and where you can find reputable breeders. The AKC directory of upcoming events is a great resource to locate dog shows in your area and meet handlers and breeders, and meet the rare breed in person.
Why should I get a rare dog breed?
When looking to add a dog to your family, research different breeds of dogs, their size, temperament and what they were originally bred to do. Don’t limit your research to breeds you have met before, or that you see in your neighborhood. Just because a dog is common, it doesn’t mean he will necessarily be a good match for your home and lifestyle.
One of the benefits of having a rare breed can be the chance to find a dog who will be the ideal fit for your family.
You are also playing a part in preserving the history and legacy of that breed. Rare breeds are at risk of disappearing if people don’t continue preserving them. Another benefit of sharing your life with a rare breed is that people involved with rare breeds tend to be extremely passionate about their breeds and are excited to connect and meet-up with other people involved in their breed. This can give you a built-in community of friends and support when you bring a rare dog home.
That moment when you witness your dog happily bounce around and pick up what looks like a rock is likely a mix of confusion and annoyance for most pet parents.
Who does that? Well, dogs.
Dogs eating rocks is actually a very common occurrence with a number of possible causes, says Dr. Adriana Fisher, of VCA Animal Hospitals.
“I have seen a standard Poodle eat 10 pounds of loose gravel because frying oil was dumped on the gravel driveway,” says Dr. Fisher.
Why do dogs eat rocks? 5 common reasons
Possible reasons for dogs chewing rocks range from medical to behavioral:
“I have seen a great deal of sled dogs that eat rocks when they are not in training season,” says Dr. Fisher.
Pica (eating non-food items) induced by a nutritional deficiency. “But this is usually explained by a behavioral issue,” says Dr. Fisher.
Spills on rocks from dog-enticing things like food grease or blood.
General anxiety, separation anxiety or compulsive disorders also can cause dogs to eat abnormal objects like rocks. Dr. Fisher says compulsive and anxiety disorders usually have other symptoms like chewing on any object available, self-mutilating, tail-chasing and/or destroying items when left alone.
A puppy eating rocks can mean teething. “Young dogs like to chew on anything to relieve their gum pain — including rocks,” she says.
Dog chewing rocks: How to stop it
“A basket muzzle is the best option for rock-eaters when they are outside,” says Dr. Fisher. “This allows them to pant and drink water but not eat rocks.”
Other ways to prevent dogs chewing on rocks include:
Give your dog safe items to chew like bully sticks, dental chews and frozen, nonfat plain yogurt in a Kong or just as a large, frozen block, says Dr. Fisher.
Enrich your dog’s daily activities with exercise, training and mental stimulation.
Get your dog checked out at the vet to rule out a nutritional deficiency.
Monitor your dog outside when rocks are present and limit access to rocks as much as possible.
My dog ate a rock: Is it an emergency? Rock Risks
Chewing rocks can lead to broken teeth that need surgical removal and swallowing rocks can lead to a gastrointestinal blockage requiring surgical removal from the GI tract, says Dr. Fisher.
“If the owner knows a rock has been eaten, they should bring their dog to the vet immediately as removal via endoscopy or vomiting induction is easier if the rock is in the stomach,” she says.
“Rocks can sit in the stomach for days to months and only cause some GI symptoms such as occasional vomiting and decreased appetite. Once the rock moves through and blocks the intestine, then it is a life-threatening emergency. A rock blockage can cause rupture of the intestines that can lead to death fairly quickly.”
Rock-eating in dogs is more common than you might think, but it’s still potentially dangerous. Monitor your puppy or dog if you suspect this is becoming a bad habit and determine if it’s behavioral or medical. In some cases, the solution could be as simple as more exercise and brain games.
