Whenever I go outside to the garden, Milo accompanies me and loves playing around in the dirt and even jumps in the raised beds. On more than one occasion, I have caught him not only frolicking in the dirt, but chowing down on some dirt as well. This got me wondering, is eating dirt bad for dogs? I would normally allow him to play around and eat the dirt when I am gardening, but should I stop him? Like any concerned parent, I consulted Dr. Google to get some clarity.
Apparently it is normal for your pup to be munching on dirt as long as he is healthy and not showing any signs of deficiencies or other health issues. Usually dogs eating dirt is a sign of a bigger issue such as mineral deficiencies in their recent diet or a lack of quality time spent with their humans. However, it is still best to prevent our precious furry friends from having too much dirt since there can often be a large number of pesticides and other harmful substances present in the dirt these days. It is always better to be safe than sorry!
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Intestinal Parasites, Toxins and Fertilisers in Dirt
If your pup takes in a lot of dirt at once, the chances of ingesting an intestinal parasite are very high. They can ingest eggs which can result in hookworms, tapeworms or even roundworms in their paws or belly which can have an impact on your canine’s stomach lining.
And what is really scary is that very few dogs suffering from intestinal worm infections show any symptoms. The only way to confirm the presence of parasites is by having a stool test run by your dog’s vet, otherwise you may not even know if your fur baby is infected!
Eating a lot of dirt at once can have an immense impact on your dog’s intestines. Dirt usually consists of pesticides, fertilizers and other toxins which increase the toxin levels in your pup’s stomach.
Plus, if the dirt consists of a lot of stones it can also cause damage to the dog’s teeth. Not to mention any sharp objects ingested can puncture the throat, stomach or intestines! That would definitely make for an emergency trip to the vet!
Mineral Deficiencies
The next concern that comes to mind is that eating dirt can be a sign of doggie mineral deficiencies.
Dogs often eat grass or dirt if they are anaemic. Dogs suffering from anaemia have a decreased absorption of iron and Vitamin B due to lack of healthy red blood cells. Indulging in some dirt and grass is normal in that case since it consists of iron and silicon which are important minerals needed for the production of red blood cells. It also consists of other minerals such as calcium, selenium, and phosphorus which are necessary for your dog’s nutritional needs.
So, if you find your pup munching on dirt he might be just doing that to compensate for a lack of these minerals in his daily diet.
Take your dog to the vet immediately if you suspect that they are showing signs of mineral deficiencies. They will likely test him or her for anemia or any other deficiencies. If the test results do show signs of deficiencies, then it is time to change up the diet immediately. Talk to your vet about the best foods for your dog, including non-processed foods.
Just like with humans, the more ingredients in the bag, the less likely it is to be healthy! It’s important to always examine all of the ingredients since your pooch can’t say when he’s feeling sick.
You can also talk to your vet about incorporating a raw-food diet or treats which can boost the nutritional content of his diet and promote a more natural feeding routine.
If that sounds like a lot of work, then an alternative might be asking your vet to recommend some doggie multi-vitamins to supplement his diet.
Eating dirt and Boredom
Eating dirt can actually be a sign of doggie boredom since they have nothing better to do. Sometimes dog owners become excessively involved in their work-life routines that they forget to take a little time out for their pup. Due to being stuck in the house alone all day with no exercise and lack of interaction, dogs often turn to eating all kinds of things – shoes, furniture legs, and even dirt!
If your pup is eating dirt out of boredom, it is important to keep him busy and set up routines for him to play and exercise.
Like any human, dogs also need activities to indulge in so that they can channel their energy – hopefully away from eating dirt and other items!
Lack of energy release can result in severe depression and anxiety in dogs. Schedule some time every day to get out of the house for at least two walks, no matter the weather. Luckily Milo has his own fenced-in backyard and gets to go out and play multiple times per day – the more the better!
If all medical reasons have been ruled out it is important look into boredom as being the cause of the dirt eating. Encourage your pooch to stay away from dirt by rewarding him with treats and by carving out some time to spend with them.
Even high-quality dog toys can help get rid of doggie boredom!
Plus, if you can’t be with your pup all day long like most dog parents, why not enroll them into a doggie day-care a few times a week and let them take care of his social and playtime needs while you are away? This way your dog would get some much needed interaction and leave your garden beds alone! It’s a win-win!
Putting an end to dirt eating
If you’ve ruled out all the possible causes above, and your dog is still turning to dirt for his snacking needs, it could just be a habit they’ve developed!
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), your dog might just be binge eating dirt since it’s therapeutic for them. This doesn’t mean it should be ignored or side-lined, though.
Dirt can contain all sorts of garbage including other dog’s poo or pee. Gross!
In today’s world the environment, as well as the dirt, can be heavily polluted with toxic chemicals and poisons. If your dog enjoys snacking on huge amounts of dirt, it’s about time to put an end to this habit to avoid any future health or digestive problems.
Firstly, you should doggy proof your home to minimize the chances of eating dirt in the house. Try keeping houseplants out of reach or adding in some mulch to cover up the dirt.
You should also keep a close eye on him when you take him for a walk or whenever he’s outside. Use commands to firmly let him know not to engage in this behavior, and if he stops after using the commands praise him with a treat!
It may take several times before he learns to leave the dirt alone, but positive reinforcement is always a sure-fire way of getting your pup trained!
Of course, you wouldn’t want to leave them outdoors alone either until they kick this habit. Any unsupervised alone time could result in binge eating sessions and put an end to your overall goal.
When it seems like they are ready to be left alone outside, start with small amounts of time and build up from there. This way you will be able to monitor progress and make sure you can trust them without garden supervision!
Does my dog have Pica?
Pica is an eating disorder, usually found in humans, but can also be observed in dogs. It is defined by a constant indulging of non-edible objects and is considered a compulsive disorder. Causes of this include depression, anxiety, boredom, and stress. A constant ingesting of inedible objects is definitely cause for concern and if your dog does not quit this behavior by providing regular exercise and socialization then it’s time for a trip to the vet!
What are the side effects of eating dirt?
Dogs who habitually eat dirt can suffer some serious problems including chipped or damaged teeth, damage to the stomach lining and intestines, vomiting due to chemicals in the dirt, ingestion of parasites dwelling in the soil, and possible choking due to large items being swallowed.
Does my dog have indigestion?
It is bad enough when we have indigestion, but imagine when your precious four-legged companion suffers from it, ouch! Wouldn’t you want to do anything to make it all go away? Usually, when dogs indulge in eating too much dirt it could also be a sign of an upset tummy. Adding fiber to the dog’s diet can reduce indigestion. If there are signs of vomiting or pieces of bile lying around then this can be a sign that your pup has an upset tummy and needs to be taken to his vet so that he can get all better.
Dirt eating can mean a lot of things so it is important to keep an eye on your pup’s behavior and investigate for any red flags. Overall, eating a little dirt will not harm your fur-baby, but any more than that will likely lead to some long-term issues.
Like toddlers, dogs enjoy playing in the dirt and interacting with the surrounding environment. But, like any concerned parent, if you feel your pup’s habits are out of the norm and that he might have some behavioral or health issues you should definitely take him to the vet for a check up!
