The veterinarian says dogs “may eat dirt to dilute toxic or harmful foods and reduce their impact on the gut.” Osborne believes that some dogs may eat dirt to soothe an upset stomach. According to Burch, “Dogs will develop iron deficiency from chronic blood loss, poor diets, or severe hookworm infections.” If your dog is eating dirt for more than a few days, the first step is to check the food label for proper, balanced nutrition, including essential minerals.” Additionally, veterinarian Michelle Burch of Safe Hounds Pet Insurance says that iron deficiencies can also lead to a dog eating dirt and rocks to make up for the deficiency. In an article on the veterinary center website, Osborne says, “Dogs have a natural instinct to adjust their diet when they are not getting the nutrients they crave. Veterinarian Carol Osborne of Chagrin Falls Veterinary Center and Pet Clinic in Ohio believes that a bad diet may cause a dog to eat dirt. In the magazine article, veterinarian Judy Morgan says that “…dogs with IBD could be eating dirt because they are trying to get more minerals to help deal with anemia.” Inflammation in the bowel can lead to bleeding. Known as IBD, this syndrome is caused by a specific reaction to chronic irritation of the intestinal tract. While it’s more common for puppies to have hookworms, dogs of any age can be exposed to these parasites in the environment or if they are not on a heartworm preventative.Īccording to an article in Dogs Naturally magazine, when dogs seek out minerals and vitamins found in the soil it could be a signal that they are suffering from inflammatory bowel disease. Anemia can be caused by a variety of things such as hookworms, flea infestations, tick disease, cancer, or bleeding disorders. And according to PetMD, any anemia, if severe enough, can cause a dog to eat dirt. Behavioral issues can also cause dogs to eat dirtĭogs suffer from anemia when their bodies don’t produce enough red blood cells.Remember, dirt eating may be a sign of something bigger, so you should never ignore it. If all else fails, “denying access to favorite dirt-eating areas may be required,” Dr. If you’re worried that your dog’s dirt eating is due to a nutritional imbalance, you should consult your veterinarian about your canine companion’s diet and whether changes need to be made. On the behavior side, make sure your dog is getting enough physical and mental exercise to curb dirt eating that stems from boredom. Dogs will learn from other dogs in the house, and who wants a houseful of dirt eaters?” Preventing Dirt Eating in Dogs “Both because of possible serious underlying causes and before it becomes a habit. “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 one being impaction of the intestine if your dog eats a lot at once. Blood work to look for underlying abnormalities may be helpful in pinpointing a cause.” The Dangers of DirtĪs 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.
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