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.

✓ This article has been reviewed by Petland Lake St. Louis & Fenton’s expert team to ensure accuracy and reliable pet care guidance.