![]() ![]() That’s because they're still trying to figure out which of those objects could be food or toys. Puppies and young dogs are more likely to "mouth-test" all kinds of objects, says Amanda Gagnon, CDBC, the lead trainer and animal behavior consultant at Amanda Gagnon Dog Training. "This condition, known as pica, is not normal and generally requires some form of treatment to resolve." "It's when these non-food items are eaten compulsively in larger quantities that it becomes a problem, either because the material gets stuck in the digestive tract, or in the case of dirt, it contains chemical pesticides or parasites that are harmful to the dog," she adds. "A dog's mouth is the only part of their body that can grasp things, so picking things up with their mouth is one of the ways that they explore the world and satisfy their curiosity about the objects that attract them by sight, scent or sound-much like a human toddler," Alexandra Bassett, CPDT-KA, the lead trainer and behavior specialist at Dog Savvy Los Angeles, tells BeChewy.īassett says it's not unusual for dogs to pick up sticks or rocks, give them an exploratory chomp, and then to spit them back out once they've realized that they're not as delicious as they might've looked. Why Dogs Eat Dirt, Rocks and Other Non-Food Items Sheer Curiosity Whatever the case, “it's really something that you're going to need your veterinarian's help on determining what it is," Dr. Or again, your dog could just be using their mouth to explore their world and not actually eating the dirt, rocks or other odd things. Pica could be due to underlying medical causes or behavioral issues. Nelson describes as “I'll eat anything” type of behavior. ![]() It could be something called pica in which dogs crave and compulsively eat non-food items-what Dr. "It could be that you've got a 2-year-old Labrador, and they literally put everything in their mouth, but it could be more than that.” Katy Nelson, DVM, Chewy’s resident veterinarian. So what gives? Why would a dog be eating dirt and rocks? Are they doing normal dog stuff, or is there something else going on? According to the experts, it depends. (You're also not crazy about having to wipe their tongue off with your bare hands.) The only thing you love slightly less is how they’re started trying to eat everything, including dirt, rocks and anything else they can fit in their mouth while you wait to cross the street. ![]() You love their soft ears, you love how excited they get when they hear any word that rhymes with “walk,” and you love how they’re equally enthusiastic about curling up beside you while you watch terrible mid-00s movies. But it's not normal for them to repeatedly seek out and swallow rocks or dirt. Coger says, “both because of possible serious underlying causes and before it becomes a habit.A: It's not uncommon for your dog to taste-test a little of everything. “I would add that any new, unnatural behavior, such as dirt eating, should be acted upon quickly,” Dr. It’s also possible that your dog could ingest a parasite along with the dirt, which can cause a range of additional health issues. Sharp sticks could puncture the linings of your dog’s mouth, throat, intestine, or stomach. “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. ![]() The dirt could also contain pesticides, fertilizers, or other toxins that could reach toxic levels if enough dirt was ingested,” Dr. 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. Bloodwork to look for underlying abnormalities may be helpful in pinpointing a cause.”Īs you may expect, there are risks to letting your dog continually eat dirt. “Changes in stool would be another sign that a vet visit is in order. “If is frequent, intense/manic in nature, or large quantities are consumed, then it’s time to go to the vet,” she says. 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. Nutritional imbalances or deficiencies, especially in mineralsĭr.It could be a sign of a bigger issue, such as: If your dog is continually eating dirt, you shouldn’t discount this behavior. Stress or boredom can also lead to eating all sorts of things, including dirt.” There are many causes, including nutritional, behavioral, and physical. Coger, DVM, explains, “Dirt eating is a form of what is termed ‘pica,’ the ingestion of nonfood materials. But have you ever observed your pet snacking on straight-up dirt? Why Do Dogs Eat Dirt? As a pet owner, you may have caught your dog eating (or attempting to eat) some pretty weird stuff. ![]()
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