Why Do Dogs Eat Dirt: Reasons Why Dogs Eat Dirt And How To Stop It

Why do dogs eat dirt? If you currently own a dog or have done in the past, chances are you have seen them try to eat everything under the sun. Most dogs, at some point, have tried to swallow a nice old lump of dirt while your back is turned. Perhaps while they are off the lead on a walk or maybe in the back garden when you let them out to do your business. It’s part and parcel of being a dog owner. However, there are actually a few reasons why dogs may be doing this, beyond to see whether dirt is the tastiest meal ever existed. We have written this article to explain everything you need to know about your dog’s dirty eating habits.

Nutritional Deficiencies That Cause Eating Dirt In Dogs

One of the potential reasons behind dog’s eating dirt is nutritional deficiencies. Don’t worry, we will explain this in simpler terms for those who do not have a degree in doggy science. Dogs, like any animal, have to get a balanced diet of certain vitamins and minerals. However, if they are not receiving enough of certain minerals, a deficiency problem may arise. This often leads to the dog searching for other sources of that particular mineral.

In many cases, the dog will be lacking vitamin B12, while others may be lacking iron. Whatever the case, dogs have been known to instinctively try and find the required mineral elsewhere if they are not getting it in their food, including dirt. Therefore, if you notice your dog is suddenly eating dirt, ask yourself a few questions. Have you changed their diet recently? Are you giving them a balanced diet? Does their diet include vitamin B12 and iron?

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Behavioral Issues

Dirty eating can also be traced back to simple behavioral issues in dogs. These kinds of problems really vary on a dog-to-dog basis. Depending on the breed, age, and level of training your dog has had, they may develop some issues with behavior. This usually occurs through stress or boredom, so the dog looks for something new to do, or perhaps something to get your attention. There is also a chance that your pup may be suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD for short. To find out whether this is the cause of your dog eating dirt, ask yourself a few questions. Are they getting enough exercise? Has anything changed in their schedule recently? Are they displaying fear or anxiety? Have you moved house recently? Are they showing other signs of OCD such as pacing up and down or repeated licking?

Health Issues

Unfortunately, pets eating dirt can also hint towards some health problems. As we mentioned before, a lack of iron in a dog’s diet can lead to them searching the dirt as a new source. A lack of iron can also lead to health problems like anemia, something that can also be caused by a low red blood cell count. The easiest way to check whether this is the case is to make sure they are getting enough iron in their diet. If they aren’t, add a new source and see if it makes a difference. Other medical conditions that can lead to the consumption of dirt include liver disease and gastrointestinal problems. If you suspect that a medical reason may be behind your dog eating dirt, we suggest booking an appointment with your local vet immediately. Make sure to mention the dirt-eating habit to them and ask for advice.

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Why Does My Dog Eat Dirt And Throw Up?

A dog’s body is built to reject stuff deemed to be inedible, much like the human body. Dirt, of course, is not a food source for dogs, so they will likely heave it back up after ingesting. However, pets may continue with the behavior even if it makes them sick in some cases. As we mentioned above, gastrointestinal problems are a potential cause of dirt-eating, and some dogs do this because they want to find some relief from the pain. If you notice your dog eating a small amount of dirt then vomiting it back up, it should not require a trip to the vet. However, you should keep an eye on them for repeated and increased behavior. If they keep doing it, or the amount of dirt increases, you should have them examined by a vet as soon as possible.

READ MORE: Why is my Dog throwing up: Causes and Preventing (Veterinary Advice)

Why Is My Puppy Eating Dirt?

Puppy behavior is often different from that of older pets, so it is worth discussing why a puppy may choose to eat dirt. For anyone who has children or has been around young children, you will know that babies explore the world through their mouths. If they see something new, they will likely taste it to see what it’s about. This can even include mud. Of course, after one quick taste to confirm it tastes like… well dirt, they are unlikely to do it again. The same can be said of a lot of puppies. These excitable bundles of joy love to roll around in the grass and dig for buried treasure, and occasionally they may try some dirt to see if it tastes good. However, if you see them going back for more and repeating the dirt-eating habits, you should have them examined by a vet in case they are suffering from any of the medical problems we mentioned above. While they are still a puppy, you should also treat this as a training opportunity. Discourage them from the dirt-eating without shouting at them to ensure they know it is not acceptable behavior. You should attempt to redirect them away from the dirt by using dog treats, toys, or games. Positive reinforcement like this should keep them away from dirty eating in the future. As we said before, do not yell at them as this will only create conflict in your relationship with them.

How To Prevent Dog From Eating Dirt?

As with any doggy problem, the diagnosis impacts the treatment. Therefore, you should first look to figure out why your dog is eating dirt from the reasons we have given above. If a change in their diet doesn’t make a difference and you cannot see any examples of stress, anxiety, or OCD, then we recommend taking them to the vet for a check-up. If the reason behind the dog eating dirt is medical, then you want to know as soon as possible. If a dog eats dirt repeatedly no matter what you do, it is likely medical. Your vet will be able to explain the reasons behind the habit, and suggest ways to treat the problem, thus preventing any further dirt buffets.

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