As a pet owner, you may have caught your dog eating (or attempting to eat) some pretty weird stuff. But have you ever observed your pet snacking on straight-up dirt?
Why Do Dogs Eat Dirt?
Holistic veterinarian聽, DVM, explains,聽鈥淒irt eating is a form of what is termed 鈥榩ica,鈥� the ingestion of nonfood materials. There are many causes, including nutritional, behavioral, and physical. Stress or boredom can also lead to eating all sorts of things, including dirt.鈥�
If your dog is continually eating dirt, you shouldn鈥檛 discount this behavior. It could be a sign of a bigger issue, such as:
- Anemia (low red blood cell count)
- Nutritional imbalances or deficiencies, especially in minerals
- Low-quality food
- Upset stomach
- Gastrointestinal disturbance
Dr. Coger notes that while stomach and gastrointestinal issues could be to blame for your dog鈥檚 interest in dirt, canines are more likely to seek out grass in these cases. 鈥淚f [the dirt eating] is frequent, intense/manic in nature, or large quantities are consumed, then it鈥檚 time to go to the vet,鈥� she says. 鈥淐hanges in stool would be another sign that a vet visit is in order. Bloodwork to look for underlying abnormalities may be helpful in pinpointing a cause.鈥�
The Dangers of Dirt
As you may expect, there are risks to letting your dog continually eat dirt. 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. Impaction often means surgery. 鈥�
The dirt could also contain pesticides, fertilizers, or other toxins that could reach toxic levels if enough dirt was ingested,鈥� Dr. Coger adds. 鈥淒epending on the dirt, dental damage or wear could also be a concern.鈥� If the dirt has rocks in it, for example, it could cause damage to your dog鈥檚 teeth and cause obstruction in the throat or any point along the digestive tract. Sharp sticks could puncture the linings of your dog鈥檚 mouth, throat, intestine, or stomach. It鈥檚 also possible that your dog could ingest a parasite along with the dirt, which can cause a range of additional health issues.
鈥淚 would add that any new, unnatural behavior, such as dirt eating, should be acted upon quickly,鈥� Dr. Coger says, 鈥渂oth because of possible serious underlying causes and before it becomes a habit. Dogs will learn from other dogs in the house, and who wants a houseful of dirt eaters?鈥�
Preventing Dirt Eating in Dogs
If you鈥檙e worried that your dog鈥檚 dirt eating is due to a nutritional imbalance, you should consult your veterinarian about your canine companion鈥檚 diet and whether changes need to be made.聽On the behavior side, make sure your dog is getting enough physical and mental exercise to curb dirt eating that stems from boredom. If all else fails, 鈥渄enying access to favorite dirt-eating areas may be required,鈥� Dr. Coger says. Remember, dirt eating may be a sign of something bigger, so you should never ignore it.
This article is intended solely as general guidance, and does not constitute health or other professional advice. Individual situations and applicable laws vary by jurisdiction, and you are encouraged to obtain appropriate advice from qualified professionals in the applicable jurisdictions. We make no representations or warranties concerning any course of action taken by any person following or otherwise using the information offered or provided in this article, including any such information associated with and provided in connection with third-party products, and we will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary or other damages that may result, including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness or death.