Pets are part of the family, and there are few things more heartbreaking than seeing our beloved furry friends in distress. Dogs can be particularly prone to strange behaviors, and one of the most perplexing is when they start licking and eating dirt. This odd behavior can be concerning for pet owners, as it can be a sign of a medical condition or lack of nutrition. In this blog post, we’ll explore why our canine companions may be licking and eating dirt, as well as how we can address the issue. We’ll take a look at the potential causes, including boredom, nutritional deficiencies, and medical issues, and explore possible solutions for each. We’ll also discuss the risks to a dog’s health associated with eating dirt and how to prevent it. Keep reading to learn more about why your pup may be licking and eating dirt and what you can do to help.
Your Dog Might Not Be Eating Healthy
The majority of premium commercial dog foods are fortified with all the vitamins and minerals your dog needs to be healthy and happy. Your dog is probably receiving the recommended amount of vitamins and minerals if they are eating a commercial diet.
However, nutritional deficiencies are more prevalent if you feed your dog subpar food or make it yourself. Try switching to a quality commercial dog food to see if the problem disappears.
Your Dog Might Have Underlying Health Issues
If your dog is eating a healthy diet, the next step is to rule out underlying health issues. Routine blood work will usually rule out serious medical conditions affecting the body’s organs.
Two potential problems in which eating dirt are symptoms are Endocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency and Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth.
A routine blood test cannot identify these serious conditions. If you have a suspicion for either of these rare diseases, you should ask for cTLI and Cobalamin/Folate tests.
Like people, dogs occasionally experience indigestion or upset stomachs. Most dirt includes clay, which can help your dog feel better.
In addition to its many health advantages, clay can be used to detoxify the body or eradicate parasites, depending on the type that exists in your soil.
If your dog occasionally eats dirt, it could be that they’re taking advantage of the healing power of clay. If your dog eats dirt more often, there’s probably another underlying issue.
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Why Do Dogs Eat Dirt?
Dogs can munch on dirt for a few reasons. They might be stressed and turning to eating dirt to relax because they are bored or they might be both. However, some underlying medical conditions can also cause your dog to eat dirt.
Low hemoglobin levels or a low red blood cell count are both symptoms of anemia in dogs. Iron is a crucial component of hemoglobin, the substance in red blood cells that binds oxygen for transport throughout the body. Whether your dog is anemic because they don’t have enough hemoglobin or red blood cells, they may naturally eat dirt as a result. Your dog may be attempting to obtain iron from the soil by consuming dirt to treat their anemia.
Additionally, certain digestive issues could make your dog crave dirt. Dogs with parasite infestations, irritable bowel syndrome, and liver or gallbladder issues may feel compelled to eat dirt. It is thought that a dog suffering from any of these GI disorders will eat dirt to calm their GI tract, similar to how one would eat grass for an upset stomach.
If a dog’s diet is nutritionally unbalanced, they may also begin to eat dirt. A dog with an imbalanced diet might be attempting to obtain various minerals from the soil. Inadequate diet or a GI tract malabsorption disorder in your dog can cause nutritional imbalances. All commercially produced dog food must be nutritionally complete and balanced for the breed’s specific life stage. This indicates that all necessary nutrients are present, balanced, and in the right proportions. The AAFCO statement on all pet food actually refers to the fact that the food in question is nutritionally complete and balanced.
It’s crucial to be aware that AAFCO currently recognizes only two life stages. They are growth and reproduction (i. e. puppies and kittens or pregnant/lactating females) or maintenance (i. e. adults and seniors). It is therefore unlikely that a nutritional imbalance will result from feeding your adult dog commercially prepared food designed specifically for adult dogs. Inconsistencies in nutrition are more frequently observed in dogs who consume home-cooked food. Making your dog’s food from scratch, whether you cook it or give them a raw home-prepared diet, makes it more difficult to ensure that it is balanced and complete. Your dog needs a number of vitamins and minerals, some of which can be challenging to obtain. Board-certified veterinary nutritionists are available to review recipes to make sure they are balanced and comprehensive or even to provide you with a recipe to follow.
The other way that nutritional imbalances can develop is through problems with malabsorption. You could feed your dog a nutritionally balanced and complete diet, but they won’t be able to absorb all the nutrients from their food because a dog with a malabsorption disorder won’t be able to properly absorb all the nutrients from their diet. Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI), also known as malabsorption disorder, is one of the most prevalent conditions. A dog with EPI lacks the necessary amount of pancreatic enzymes to digest its food. Dogs with EPI will appear underweight and be noticeably malnourished. EPI can be contracted through infection or pancreas damage, but it can also be inherited genetically. EPI has historically been associated with German Shepherd Dogs, but it can also be a genetic disorder that affects breeds like Rough Coated Collies, Chow Chows, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
FAQ
What is a dog lacking when it eats dirt?
Dogs of any age may eat dirt to obtain minerals like sodium, iron, and calcium from the soil due to dietary deficiencies. Because they are starving and have nutritional deficiencies, underfed dogs may also eat dirt and other objects.
Will eating dirt hurt my dog?
While dogs typically don’t consume enough dirt to cause digestive problems, eating dirt and stones could result in intestinal blockages that need to be surgically removed in addition to the possibility of contracting intestinal parasites.
How do I get rid of my dogs pica?
- Make sure your pet is receiving enough mental and physical stimulation.
- If you spend a lot of time away from home, think about using environmental enrichment techniques like food puzzles, games, and a dog walker to prevent boredom.
- Eliminate access to objects that your dog may eat.
How do I know if my dog has a pica?
The symptoms of pica in dogs can include things like vomiting and diarrhea, but they can also include lethargy, a loss of appetite, and excessive drooling. One of the side effects of canine pica that is left untreated is an intestinal obstruction.