Clubs Offering:
As a pet owner, you may have caught your dog eating (or attempting to eat) some pretty weird stuff. But have you ever observed your pet snacking on straight-up dirt?
Holistic veterinarian Dr. Laurie S. Coger, DVM, explains, “Dirt eating is a form of what is termed ‘pica,’ the ingestion of nonfood materials. There are many causes, including nutritional, behavioral, and physical. Stress or boredom can also lead to eating all sorts of things, including dirt.”
If your dog is continually eating dirt, you shouldn’t discount this behavior. It could be a sign of a bigger issue, such as:
Dr. 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. “If [the dirt eating] is frequent, intense/manic in nature, or large quantities are consumed, then it’s time to go to the vet,” she says. “Changes in stool would be another sign that a vet visit is in order. Bloodwork to look for underlying abnormalities may be helpful in pinpointing a cause.”
As you may expect, there are risks to letting your dog continually eat dirt. The main risk is impaction of the intestine (hardened stool that gets stuck in the body due to long-term constipation) if your dog eats a lot at once. Impaction often means surgery. “
The dirt could also contain pesticides, fertilizers, or other toxins that could reach toxic levels if enough dirt was ingested,” Dr. Coger adds. “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. Sharp sticks could puncture the linings of your dog’s mouth, throat, intestine, or stomach. It’s also possible that your dog could ingest a parasite along with the dirt, which can cause a range of additional health issues.
“I would add that any new, unnatural behavior, such as dirt eating, should be acted upon quickly,” Dr. Coger says, “both because of possible serious underlying causes and before it becomes a habit. Dogs will learn from other dogs in the house, and who wants a houseful of dirt eaters?”
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. If all else fails, “denying access to favorite dirt-eating areas may be required,” Dr. Coger says. Remember, dirt eating may be a sign of something bigger, so you should never ignore it.
Pica: A Southern Tradition
As it turns out, here in the South, there is a long tradition of human clay eating. Aficionados of clay claim that the flavor is a nice mix of bitter and sour. Some augment this taste sensation by toasting the soil and adding salt and vinegar to the baked earth. Southerners with a family tradition of geophagia will even ship bags of soil from favorite dig sites in the hometown area to their displaced relatives up North.
While geophagia has been practiced on all continents at various times in history, clay eating by humans in the United States carries a stigma. In fact, the DSM IV categorizes pica as an eating disorder, since excessive clay eating can cause intestinal blockages. Dog owners also cringe to see their pets wolfing down soil in the backyard. However, researchers have found that not only do dogs and humans engage in geophagia, but cats, parrots, buffalo, deer, fruit bats, other primates, in addition to a host of other mammals, engage in clay eating at various times in their lifecycles.
Three Theories to Explain Dirt Eating
Here are some ideas as to why dirt may be consumed.
The Meaning Behind 21 Strangest Dog Behaviors | Jaw-Dropping Facts about Dogs
Oh joy. The things dogs eat. Yikes. Of all the things I have seen my own dogs attempt to wolf down (pun intended), dirt is probably one of the least disgusting. The pungent order of who-knows-what on their breath (oh my goodness, poop or vomit kills me!) just as they go in for a big kiss … Ew! You know what Im talking about. Yep, dirt isnt the worst one when it comes to having to smell it up close and personal.
Dogs wouldnt be dogs if they didnt do all sorts of weird things. Its these strange antics that often make us love them more. But, when you find your dog is enjoying mud pies or cannot seem to remove their nose from your plant bed, it can be concerning. Dirt consumption, or geophagia, can happen for lots of reasons. Luckily, the majority of times your dog chomps on Earth arent cause for concern. However, when it occurs frequently, or they select soil as much as kibble, it is time to make an appointment with your veterinarian.