Why does my dog eat dirt?

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Question by Judy
Submitted on 3/25/2004
Related FAQ: rec.pets.dogs: Behavior: Understanding and Modifying FAQ
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Why does my dog eat dirt?

Answer by Lizzie McGuire
Submitted on 4/17/2004
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Some dogs eat unusual stuff like dirt. They eat dirt because the are frustrated and angry about some thing. Don't give your dog food for a few days, and see what happens. Your dog might start eating dirt!

Answer by silvertooth
Submitted on 4/26/2004
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We have two healthy, happy Akitas who love to eat dirt. They will lick a certain spot with great joy. They are not angry or frustrated in the slightest degree, they are either missing some mineral that they get from the dirt, or they just like dirt!

Answer by CasinoMagic3897
Submitted on 8/20/2004
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Dogs eat dirt because they are missing a certain mineral. And that would be they don't have enough sodium (salt) in their diet. This may be because s/he was switched over to a lower sodium diet, or are just not getting enough sodium to their liking. But don't go out and buy food/treats etc. with tons of salt in them, because too much sodium can cause heart murmurs.

Answer by Chrissie
Submitted on 9/8/2004
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Dogs eating Dirt should be carefully monitored to make sure that they do not dehydrate and acquire a bowel obstruction. This occurred in my older doxie. He had eaten large quantities of dirt, and then later had a bowel obstruction. The x-ray showed his intestinal tract completely blocked with dirt that he had eaten ! I had given him some mineral oil with water, and it may have saved him until we could get him to the VET !

Answer by Marise
Submitted on 11/3/2004
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I looked this question up here seven months ago because my dog had begun to eat dirt. Shortly thereafter hemangiosarcoma (cancer of blood vessels) was diagnosed in his pancreas and liver. Told he would bleed into his abdomen and the blood would be reabsorbed for a while, I noticed that the days when he was lethargic, that is, bleeding, were the times he would eat the dirt; then he would become more normal - wanting to walk and eat his food- until the next episode when he would again eat the dirt. I have to wonder whether the dirt gave him some kind of relief.

Answer by ass
Submitted on 11/5/2004
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ass

Answer by fiddlehead
Submitted on 12/13/2004
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I don't think anyone knows why dogs eat dirt and they won't tell .

Answer by samtoria
Submitted on 3/11/2005
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It is highly possible the particular day your dog was extremely stressed out. Have you ever had to bark at every single person that passed your front yard? Dirt is a part of the earth, it's zen like...

Answer by Deni
Submitted on 5/5/2005
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I just read that some dogs eat dirt because they are anemic. With my dog going through kidney failure and being anemic, this explains why he eats dirt.

Answer by maverick janell's dog
Submitted on 8/10/2005
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well my do does not eat dirt but he does eat grass and i think if your dog eats dirt they like it or need minerals

Answer by John
Submitted on 9/7/2005
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I have a happy Chocolate lab...that eats dirt from the same spot, weird but it hasnt hurt him .....yet

Answer by mirsyk
Submitted on 9/7/2005
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From a professional standpoint, animals who eat unusual things, also called pica, may be anemic. It is a good idea to have a panel of bloodwork done in order to rule this out. Generally when companion animals are frustrated or angry, they will destroy things (couches, tables, etc) or inappropriately eliminate. Pica however, is not a normal condition

Answer by Whiskers
Submitted on 2/1/2006
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My puppy of 6 months just loves to eat dirt. It is not that he is frustrated or hungry either. He gets plenty of love and affection. It is just that when I let him out in the yard, there is several places he goes to dig up the grass. He eats the dark dirt beneath the grass .

Answer by JAJA
Submitted on 2/28/2006
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Eating dirt is a sign of anemia. It is often called pica. Sometimes dogs do just like to eat dirt because the different texture and taste. At the same time it might be a sign of the anemia and other disease. If in question ask your vet!

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Answer by skywalker14733
Submitted on 3/5/2006
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my dogs are wierd because they eat unusual stuff to like crickets u know one of those green bugs tat jumps and also they eat flies to but they wag there tale too so there also happy maybe in some breeds they eat dirt because there mad so yea there answer

Answer by Rottlovr
Submitted on 8/10/2006
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I have a 4 month old rottweiler/shepard mix who also eats dirt clods. in her case i believe she is teething and the dirt clods are hard. also she may be missing some vitamins. try a supplement. be care your dog does not eat dirt that has feces or in it. this can cause several viruses.

Answer by Sport
Submitted on 12/4/2006
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I have an Akita puppy who keeps licking the dirt, he's happy and healthy but I was thinking that a mineral he may be missing. If you hear of something new let me hear from you. thanks, t

Answer by nancy
Submitted on 3/11/2007
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my vet said she had seen and heard dogs eating grass not dirt. i feed my dogs nutro senior support system as they are getting old.they are rat terriers and very active. there is 6 of them and only 1 eats dirt . she does have thyroid trouble.does she need more minerals?nancy

Answer by pet pal
Submitted on 6/3/2007
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I don't think it is good advice to tell someone not to feed their dog for a few days- Unless you get this advice from your vet, don't do it! Some dogs just like to eat dirt! Try distracting your dog with toys and activities while outside- They may just be bored Good luck