Menu

Download our Petland App today for information on your local Petland's Available Pets and Pet Supplies. All at the tips of your fingers!

Petland Logo
Login/Register

Please create a free account, or login by clicking here.

5 Reasons Dogs Eat Dirt

January 29, 2019

Dogs do the darnedestthings sometimes, don’t they?

Besides being comical they have the tendency to do weird things, like eating stuff that they shouldn’t! In this post, we’re exploring their desire to eat dirt. What does it mean? Should you be alarmed? Here are five reasons why dogs eat dirt.

It Tastes Good

One obvious reason dogs eat dirt is because it tastes good. For instance, if there was a cookout in the backyard and some food dropped in the surrounding area, one of your purebred dogs might just take a few bites. This is a less serious reason so don’t be too alarmed.

Bad Diet

Your dog may be eating dirt because he’s actually searching for minerals and vitamins that they may be missing in their daily diet. Make sure that your purebred dogs are fed healthy and nutritional diets.

Behavior Issues

Just like humans, dogs get bored and they do some weird things to entertain themselves. As odd as it may seem to pick up that as a habit, it could be because of a behavioral issue with your pup. Believe it or not, dogs can suffer from OCD and start eating dirt as part of that disorder. You may want to consult with a vet or animal behaviorist for assistance.

Chronic Health Concerns

As we mentioned in #2, when purebred dogs search for vitamins and minerals in such a way, this could be a sign of something more serious. Inflammatory bowel disease could be one reason.

Soothing an Upset Stomach

There are some types of dirt that contain clay that can actually soothe digestive issues your dogs may be having. Some say that dogs instinctively consume it in order to heal themselves, so to speak.

When dogs eat dirt, it may not always be the worst thing however it should be monitored for the very reasons we’ve outline. If you’ve started to notice a more habitual problem, we recommend that you contact your vet.

Related Articles

View All Articles

  • Image Not Found

    Dog Skin Care Tips For Spring

    Spring sunshine is here and you will want to enjoy time outside with your dog. Just as you protect your skin from nature and sun exposure, you should do the same for your pup. We w...

    Read This Blog

  • Image Not Found

    Why is my puppy’s energy so high?

    There are actually a lot of possible reasons that your Puppy is being so energetic. Here are a few. It needs more exercise Many different types of dogs are bred to do energy-intens...

    Read This Blog

  • Image Not Found

    4 Super Helpful Dog Bathing Tips

    Life is crazy enough without wrestling your wet dog in your bathtub, so here are 4 helpful tips you can use right away to help make doggy bath time better at your house: Bathing on...

    Read This Blog

  • Image Not Found

    5 Things You Do That Your Puppy Loves

    Dogs are man’s best friend, and this special bond can be strengthened when we go the extra mile to understand the things that our pups love. Here are 5 things that you do tha...

    Read This Blog

  • 5 First Tricks for Your New Puppy

    5 First Tricks for Your New Puppy

    By John Woods. Founder of All Things Dogs— Dog Breeds, Training and Behavior. Coming home with a new puppy is one of the most exciting events that could happen in an ani...

    Read This Blog

  • Image Not Found

    Choose The Best Dog Food

    If you could help your dog to live a long and fruitful life would you do it.? The answer for most pet owners is “of course”. Well, the great news for you is that you ca...

    Read This Blog

  • Image Not Found

    Biking with your Dog

    Most dogs love to run, and some breeds are physically bred for speed and endurance, like the greyhound, who can run up to 45 mph. Dogs of any breed or size will enjoy a long jog in...

    Read This Blog

  • Image Not Found

    Can Dogs suffer from Anxiety?

    Humans aren’t the only ones who suffer from anxiety, dogs can also experience anxiety in various forms. Read more to learn about the types, causes, and treatments for anxiety...

    Read This Blog

  • Image Not Found

    6 Facts about Golden Retrievers

    Golden retrievers are one of the most famous dog breeds in the world, and it’s not hard to see why. Here are 10 golden retriever facts that will only make you love them more....

    Read This Blog

  • Image Not Found

    8 February Pet Holidays that you should Observe

    Pet owners look for any reason to celebrate their beloved animals. Well, this February we are giving you 8 reasons Dog holidays that you can Observe. Feb. 3: Doggie Date Night.&nbs...

    Read This Blog

  • Image Not Found

    Introducing Your Pet To Home Guest

    Whether it’s the holiday season or a dinner party or summer vacation, your home can get busy at times. Since your pet is a family member, your guest should feel as comfortabl...

    Read This Blog

  • Image Not Found

    Home Training Your Dog

    Getting a new puppy can be an exciting time! As a pet lover, you can’t wait to add your new family member to your home, but this is the easy part. Home training your new fami...

    Read This Blog

Help Need Help?