We dog owners love our furry pets and treat them as family. But we have to admit that despite our tendency to pretend they’re like us, they can act in ways that no human would. They can have many weird habits, and you may find that your dog likes to eat dirt.
Don’t just shrug this off, though, as this rather bizarre behavior may actually have a reason behind it.
Here are some of the possible solutions to this mystery:
Something Tasty in the Dirt
This is often the culprit, especially if your pet likes the dirt from a particular area. One good example of this is the part of your backyard where you have set up your grill. Your pet may smell the hamburger grease from under the grill, or it may find pieces of food among all that dirt.
Stress or Boredom
Dogs, in many ways, are like people. They can get stressed or bored, and when this happens it can result in strange behavior. After all, if you’re bored or stressed you may start overeating or obsessively crack your knuckles, right?
If you have a large working dog and they’re cooped up in a small yard with no one to play with, they can get bored quickly. Eating dirt may just be a way for them to do something different to pass the time. This is especially true of younger puppies, since human toddlers have that same problem.
Keep in mind that dogs, like people, prefer to have something to do. They enjoy having jobs just like people do (perhaps they might start tree trimming). They also like to play and to socialize with other dogs. So see if you can get your dog to have something to do. Play with them more or have them undergo some sort of training. Some canine care facilities can let them interact with other dogs as well.
Also, it’s possible that your dog can get OCD, and dirt-eating is just a symptom of this condition. If you’ve managed to discount all the other possible reasons for eating dirt on this list, you may want to discuss this possibility with your vet who may recommend an animal behaviorist.
Poor Diet
Have you been feeding your dog just your leftovers? Perhaps you’re getting dog food, but you may not be buying them the right dog food. Your beloved pooch may not be getting enough of the nutrients they need. Talk to your vet, as they will tell you that your dog needs vitamins and minerals as well as protein, carbohydrates, and fats.
When the diet you’ve been putting your dog on isn’t right and it doesn’t provide essential vitamins and minerals, the natural instinct of your pet is to look for them elsewhere. If they can’t get the needed nutrients from their food, their brains will tell them to get them from other sources, like dirt.
So if you see your dog eating dirt for several days now, you should change their diet. Discuss the matter with your vet and ask for recommendations.
Chronic Health Issues
Your pet may also be looking for vitamins and minerals they need because they actually have a medical condition. This can be hypothyroidism or inflammatory bowel disease.
IBD and hypothyroidism can lead to anemia, which reduces the absorption of B vitamins. If your pet dog is anemic, they may be looking for more minerals to help with the problem. Other conditions that can lead to anemia include ulcers and bleeding tumors, along with chronic kidney disease and parasites.
To know for sure, you really should have your dog checked by your vet when you notice it eating dirt regularly.
Digestive Problems
Did you know that some types of clay can actually be consumed for detoxification, to help with parasitic infection, and to relieve stomach upset? It’s possible that your dog may instinctively be looking for a similar solution for their digestive problems.
Your dog may be trying to eat dirt because he or she has something in the digestive tract. The dirt can either get whatever this is by causing your dog to vomit or excrete. The dirt can encourage the intestines to contract more, so that the material inside the digestive tract can be moved more quickly. The dirt, when consumed, may also act as a gentle abrasive to help clean the inside of the intestines.
Conclusion
When you see your dog eating dirt, don’t simply ignore it. Dirt can contain poisons and pesticides, and you don’t want to risk making your pet sick. Check in with your vet so that you can review your pet’s diet, monitor their health, and find ways to keep them engaged every day.
