Help With a Lab Puppy That Eats Rocks

Puppies normally have large appetites, but Labrador retriever puppies can have voracious appetites. Because puppies will place anything into their mouths, they are very likely to eat non-food items like rocks. This potentially lethal habit is called pica. Non-food items like rocks can potentially break teeth, perforate a bowel or completely block the digestive tract. Just what causes pica in puppies is unknown, although boredom may be a factor.

Things You'll Need

  • Chew-deterrent spray
  • Variety of puppy-safe chew toys
  • Fresh washed carrots and/or green beans
  • Collar or chest harness and leash
  • Veterinarian
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Instructions

    • 1

      Spray all rocks on your property with a chew-deterrent spray for puppies. Sometimes these are marketed as "training sprays." Since puppies up to the age of 2 will often place strange items in their mouths, spray any other item you catch your puppy chewing, such as furniture or shoes.

    • 2

      Keep a variety of chew toys for puppies about the home or kennel where the puppy stays. One of the suspected causes of pica is boredom. Puppies begin chewing items because of teething problems and get into the habit of chewing any item unless encouraged to chew on appropriate items. If the puppy is seen chewing on a rock, approach the puppy with a chew toy and offer the chew toy to the puppy. Take away the rock when the puppy goes for the chew toy.

    • 3

      Check property so that any rocks that the puppy can get ahold of are removed from the property or fenced off so the puppy cannot get to them.

    • 4

      Feed the puppy more crunchy foods full of fiber. Since Labradors have such large appetites, they tend to eat anything presented to them. Good low-calories, high-fiber treats include fresh carrots and green beans. Be sure the vegetables are washed in order to remove any traces of pesticides.

    • 5

      Exercise your Lab puppy every day. Never let the puppy run free because it could find and eat rocks. Always keep the puppy on a collar and lead until the Lab reliably ignores rocks or at least does not eat them. Use a chest harness instead of a collar if the puppy still picks up bizarre items in its mouth. The puppy may choke if swallowing and then getting a tug on the collar. Regular walks and playtime help the puppy burn off any excess energy. A tired Lab puppy tends to sleep and not get into mischief out of boredom.