A typical soil mixture for growing plants or herbs in pots is called “potting soil.” Compost is frequently included to aid plants in growing in the best conditions.
Dog owners have questioned whether it is risky for them to consume potting soil.
However, potting soil is harmful to dogs because it contains a variety of organic and inorganic materials that encourage plant growth.
This article will address a number of issues, including whether potting soil is harmful to dogs, what chemicals it contains, and what to do if your dog consumes potting soil.
How Eating Potted soil Can affect dogs
Depending on the type of potting soil and how much is consumed, the impact the soil can have on a dog will vary.
According to extensive research, the following are the typical signs that follow a dog eating potting soil:
The dog is simply detoxifying and removing itself through these reactions. However, signs like those mentioned above should not be ignored, and you should contact a veterinarian right away.
Can Other Planting Soil Affect Dogs if Eaten?
Soil treated with fertilizer and plant nutrients also affect dogs. Ingestion of additional substrates like pebbles or rocks in the soil could also be problematic.
Typically, it is advised to pot plants with a potting soil mixture because it will have all the nutrients needed for the plants to grow healthily in their small container.
When using other types of soil, like soil from the garden, for potting plants, extra nutrients are typically added to aid in plant growth. For general plants, fertilizers with a 20-20-20 ratio of NPK fertilizer may be added, and for particular plants, such as orchids and flowering plants, fertilizers with other special ratios may be added.
In some cases, insecticides may also be used to prevent pests from eating the plants. These insecticides eventually find their way into the soil, and if consumed by dogs, they can cause intestinal issues.
If you must use pesticides, opt for an organic substance like neem oil. Neem oil is advised for plants that are located close to animals because it can help with fleas, ticks, intestinal parasites, and mange mites in dogs.
What Chemicals Does Potting Soil Contain?
The various ingredients and chemicals found in potting soil are essential to the growth and survival of plants.
Some of the chemicals found in potting soil include:
Reading the label is important because not all potting soils contain pesticides. Your pet will be exposed to the poisons if they eat the treated potting soil if you used insecticide after planting.
Fertilizers frequently contain the chemicals nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These can be produced synthetically or organically, for example, from blood and bone meal.
It is best to keep your dog away from these types of potting soil. If consumed in large amounts, they may result in organ failure.
Dogs like the taste and smell of bone meal, so even organic fertilizers with bone meal may be more dangerous for your dog.
Here is a piece I wrote about whether plants can survive in anoxic soil.
FAQ
What should I do if my dog eats compost?
It is crucial to contact your veterinarian right away if compost ingestion is known or suspected. Compost poisoning has no known treatment or antidote, but your dog will have the best chance of making a full recovery if you seek veterinary care right away.
What happens if dog eats potting soil?
When ingested, the ingredients in potting soil are harmful to dogs and can result in a number of illnesses. If the decomposition process was not carried out properly, the soil and other organic materials used to make potting soil may contain viruses and a variety of bacteria that could infect pets when ingested.
Why is my dog eating compost soil?
Unfortunately, there is no rhyme or reason as to why your dog consumes particular items, such as compost, moldy kitchen waste, used tampons or tissues from the bathroom trash (yes, they do this, and it is disgusting). This frequently occurs as a result of the strange smells that tempt them, their curiosity, and boredom
Can my dog get sick from eating garden soil?
Parasites. Dogs who consume dirt are also more likely to consume parasites that live in the soil, including Capillaria, Giardia, hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms. They might also consume fleas that are on the ground, which can spread tapeworms, a parasite.