Dogs are very busy. Dogs find time despite the short amount of time in the day to jump on the furniture, investigate other dogs, mark their territories everywhere they go, and offer their owner a toy—only to rip it frantically away. Typically, we can accept the explanations for our puppies’ odd behaviors without hesitation. After all, we’re suckers for a good tail-wag. However, some canine behaviors are particularly challenging to comprehend, such as when our dogs finish digging holes and start shoving dirt into their mouths. We are left wondering, “Why do dogs eat dirt?!” at this point.
Tasty Dirt
Simply because your dog is pursuing something appetizing, like bacon or hamburger grease under a grill, is a less serious reason.
“If a dog is eating dirt, the owner should look around to see if the dog is trying to get to something there,” This would make sense if the dog repeatedly visits a specific location, such as beneath a grill, says Morgan.
Out of stress and boredom, people develop odd habits like hair-twirling, knuckle-cracking, overeating, etc. The same is true for our pets, who were created to be outdoors and active but sometimes don’t get enough stimulation.
Imagine a large working dog who is left alone at home all day. He will likely find something to do to pass the time, perhaps by eating dirt.
According to Osborne, “some dogs, especially young dogs and puppies, may just eat dirt out of pure boredom.” “This could be caused by a variety of factors, including inadequate exercise, spending the day inside a kennel, insufficient playtime, or improper social interaction,” Just like people, dogs require a job and a daily purpose. This is especially true for breeds with high energy and herding instincts. Dogs enjoy jobs in general, so if your dog’s behavior seems off, give him something to do. Facilities for doggie daycare provide countless opportunities for socialization and human-canine interaction. Additionally, they occupy the mind and are generally enjoyable.
Like humans, dogs can also have obsessive-compulsive disorder. A dog with OCD may begin to compulsively eat dirt as a symptom of the condition. Consult your holistic veterinarian or an animal behaviorist if you believe your pet may have OCD or a related behavioral disorder.
Although the idea of “eating dirt” seems absurd, clay can be used to detoxify the body, relieve parasites, and soothe digestive issues.
It could very well be that our dogs are naturally attempting to relieve or detox a digestive issue by ingesting dirt.
According to Coger, “I have a gut feeling that the dog is trying to push whatever is in the digestive tract through, either by throwing up or by doing so.” “Dirt may function as a mild abrasive to “scrub” clean the intestines.” Additionally, it might cause the intestine to contract more frequently, accelerating the passage of food through the digestive system. ”.
Why Is My Dog Eating Dirt? Possible Explanations
Dogs eat dirt for a number of reasons. The desire for munching on soil might be boredom or stress, or it could simply be because they smelled something tasty mixed in the mud. But it could also signal an underlying health problem or a lack of proper nutrition, says the American Kennel Club(AKC). Compulsive geophagia might be a sign that your pooch has one of the following issues.
Anemia in dogs is a condition marked by low blood cell count or hemoglobin levels. According to CertaPet, anemia can be caused by a nutritional imbalance. An anemic dog may instinctively turn to eating dirt in an attempt to restore any deficiencies causing this condition. The only way to reliably diagnose anemia is through blood work tests.
A nutritional imbalance by itself could cause your dog to eat dirt even if they don’t have anemia. When your dog eats dirt, it may be a sign that they aren’t getting enough of the vital minerals they require for good health. The minerals and nutrients in your dog’s food may also not be being absorbed by them due to a hormonal problem. Healthy dogs rarely have nutritional imbalances, so consult your vet before selecting the best dog food for your pet.
To calm an upset stomach or rumbling bowels, dogs may also resort to eating dirt. However, according to the AKC, your dog is more likely to eat grass if they are experiencing stomach problems. It’s possible that some dirt will get mixed in with the grass in a dog’s fervor to devour it.
Dogs are very busy. Dogs find time despite the short amount of time in the day to jump on the furniture, investigate other dogs, mark their territories everywhere they go, and offer their owner a toy—only to rip it frantically away. Typically, we can accept the explanations for our puppies’ odd behaviors without hesitation. After all, we’re suckers for a good tail-wag. However, some canine behaviors are particularly challenging to comprehend, such as when our dogs finish digging holes and start shoving dirt into their mouths. We are left wondering, “Why do dogs eat dirt?!” at this point.
FAQ
Why does my puppy keep eating dirt and grass?
- Keep an Eye on Your Dog First. Knowing when your dog starts eating everything will help you refocus your efforts on other things.
- Play the “Trade” game whenever your dog grabs a stick or rock to chew on.
- Give Your Dog Fun Things to Do Outside.