Obesity is the most commonly noted medical condition. Simply stated, we let our dogs eat too much. It's not just weight that is the issue, but overeating can cause stomachs to rupture or to predispose the dog to bloat. The solution lies in restricting access to food other than food given at mealtimes. Another cause of obesity is the extreme palatability of today's dog rations.
Some medications also increase appetite.
Eating Non-Food Objects For the dogs with behavioral eating disorders such as eating rocks, some researchers feel that there might be a genetic predisposition or a psychological problem. However, in some cases, these problems are no more than learned responses. For example, an abandoned puppy might eat smooth pebbles to reduce its feelings of hunger. The puppy has learned that the ache in his belly can be reduced by having something in it. More often than not, abandoned puppies stop eating rocks when they have the option of food.