![]() If dogs have a condition called “pica,” they will eat dirt like it’s dog food. This article will explain what dirt eating means for your dog’s health, why they picked up the messy habit, and how dog parents can help their canine kick the habit and stick with dog food. But if it seems like your dog is eating dirt all the time, you might have a problem. If you’ve seen your dog eat dirt once or twice but haven’t seen them make a habit of it, you don’t have much to worry about. ![]() So why do dogs eat dirt? Is this a random behavior they have developed? If you see your dog snacking on dirt, take a look at how much dirt they’re eating and how often to figure out whether this is just a phase or there’s an underlying health issue at hand. Coger says, “both because of possible serious underlying causes and before it becomes a habit.Does your dog ever go out in nature, sniff around, and then suddenly decide to make a meal out of the soil? Dogs do some pretty weird stuff sometimes, but there’s usually a concrete reason why they exhibit many seemingly odd behaviors like eating dirt. “I would add that any new, unnatural behavior, such as dirt eating, should be acted upon quickly,” Dr. It’s also possible that your dog could ingest a parasite along with the dirt, which can cause a range of additional health issues. Sharp sticks could puncture the linings of your dog’s mouth, throat, intestine, or stomach. “Depending on the dirt, dental damage or wear could also be a concern.” If the dirt has rocks in it, for example, it could cause damage to your dog’s teeth and cause obstruction in the throat or any point along the digestive tract. The dirt could also contain pesticides, fertilizers, or other toxins that could reach toxic levels if enough dirt was ingested,” Dr. The main risk is impaction of the intestine (hardened stool that gets stuck in the body due to long-term constipation) if your dog eats a lot at once. Bloodwork to look for underlying abnormalities may be helpful in pinpointing a cause.”Īs you may expect, there are risks to letting your dog continually eat dirt. “Changes in stool would be another sign that a vet visit is in order. “If is frequent, intense/manic in nature, or large quantities are consumed, then it’s time to go to the vet,” she says. Coger notes that while stomach and gastrointestinal issues could be to blame for your dog’s interest in dirt, canines are more likely to seek out grass in these cases. ![]() Nutritional imbalances or deficiencies, especially in mineralsĭr.It could be a sign of a bigger issue, such as: If your dog is continually eating dirt, you shouldn’t discount this behavior. Stress or boredom can also lead to eating all sorts of things, including dirt.” There are many causes, including nutritional, behavioral, and physical. Coger, DVM, explains, “Dirt eating is a form of what is termed ‘pica,’ the ingestion of nonfood materials. But have you ever observed your pet snacking on straight-up dirt? Why Do Dogs Eat Dirt? As a pet owner, you may have caught your dog eating (or attempting to eat) some pretty weird stuff. ![]()
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