Eating Dirt????

[ohdonna5]

Please tell me I am not the only one out there with this problem! I feed Nutro Large Breed (weight Managment), I have an 11yr old female (just lost my little boy at 10). But they both ate dirt....not every day, but quite often. My vet could find no medical reason, he thought they might have found a tasty patch of dirt that they liked. I heard there are vitamin/mineral deficiencies (Pica) that cause a dog to search for them elsewhere, but again my Vet says they are getting everything they need from their food. Anyone have any experience or suggestions? HELP!

[Curt]

My pup blue now 10 weeks old is alway chewing on dirt.And or mud or seems like whatever he can get in his mouth.I constantly have to keep my eye on him.
Later Curt

[papa bear's mom]

My boy eats dirt, too. Not every day but sometimes. He has one particular spot in the yard where he likes to dig (that's his own special garden, compliments of mom) and he will sometimes eat the dirt in that spot. I just think it's b/c he's bored or he likes the taste of it, or maybe both. If that is the worst thing he ever does, I can deal with it.

[Dugganmom]

what was the food again? we have to put our rottie on a weight management food and right now we are feeding him NUTRI SOURCE For large breeds. I dont think they make a weight management food for dogs so I was just wondering what excatly that food was again... The dirt thing i have no clue but my mom and dads rott eats dirt sometimes...

[Tank's Grandma]

My puppy also eats dirt. Unfortunately, her taste also runs to mud, and after our recent rains, she developed a case of giardia, so this dirt eating isn't always just an annoying habit.

[StephanieandToby]

Toby would eat it by the pound if you let him.

We lived by the ocean, so maybe it was full of salt and minerals....he preferred the "peaty" stuff.

I also know that if Toby had an upset stomach or loose poop, he would eat dirt from a certain spot and it would bind him right up. Must have had clay or something in it....it's amazing how dogs know these things...

[Nyla's Mom]

It's always good to know that it's not just your pup who's the weird one I haven't caught Nyla eating the dirt yet but I'm sure it's to come, Mud is a different story though. She's driving me crazy here lately especially from all the rain here in California, everytime she goes outside to relieve herself you better believe she's making a mad dash to the muddy area on the side of the house to get a few laps and grab a bite of mud pie?? LOL

[Krimzon]

Jeez I thought I was the only one with this problem. Roman is always eating leaves, grass, dirt or whatever else he can fit in his gaping maw...I think its more out of trying to find out stuff and testing the taste of everything though since he's still a puppy. In any case I am always having to get stuff out of his mouth and watching him constantly...

[ohdonna5]

Originally Posted by Dugganmom

what was the food again? we have to put our rottie on a weight management food and right now we are feeding him NUTRI SOURCE For large breeds. I dont think they make a weight management food for dogs so I was just wondering what excatly that food was again... The dirt thing i have no clue but my mom and dads rott eats dirt sometimes...

It was Nutromax (by Nutro) Large breed weight management, now I am using the same brand (Nutro) but the ULTRA weight management, it is all natrual and holistic. She loves it!

[Cash]

When it's a dog on a well balanced diet, I more often look at it as a behavioral issue, rather than a nutritional one.
My dog eats a more nutritionally balanced diet than I do... he revels in nabbing a huge hunk of mud/dirt/grass - and - getting away with it. Especially if it's stinky and muddy.

If it makes you feel better take your dog to the vet to rule out any deficiencies...but don't underestimate the power of a dogs ability to seek attention.
Have you caught your dog doing this when he/she 'thinks' you are NOT around?

[Patty1231]

All of my dogs have eaten dirt and they've all been on premium foods. I've come to this conclusion - they just do!

Perhaps it's their equivalent of our chocolate.

[Tank's Grandma]

Originally Posted by Cash

If it makes you feel better take your dog to the vet to rule out any deficiencies...but don't underestimate the power of a dogs ability to seek attention.
Have you caught your dog doing this when he/she 'thinks' you are NOT around?

Yes, I've seen Kody out in the yard munching on dirt when I'm not out there with her. But in our case, the dirt is usually freshly dug up by gophers, so I'm sure it's wonderfully pungent......
And she's come in the house after a potty break with a mouth full of mud....I think some of them just plain like it....
And yes, sometimes it's behavioral....she'll grab a a mouthful and look right at me and run with a gleam in her eyes....that's when I go get the bottle of Tabasco and put it on that day's favorite dirt mound

[ohdonna5]

Originally Posted by Tank's Grandma

Yes, I've seen Kody out in the yard munching on dirt when I'm not out there with her. But in our case, the dirt is usually freshly dug up by gophers, so I'm sure it's wonderfully pungent......
And she's come in the house after a potty break with a mouth full of mud....I think some of them just plain like it....
And yes, sometimes it's behavioral....she'll grab a a mouthful and look right at me and run with a gleam in her eyes....that's when I go get the bottle of Tabasco and put it on that day's favorite dirt mound

Does the Tabasco help?

[Tank's Grandma]

Originally Posted by ohdonna5

Does the Tabasco help?

Only right then, as it doesn't last long. But she does NOT like it.
Crushed red pepper works too.

[ohdonna5]

Thanks I will have to try that! My little Gunnar is only 11 weeks old and already munching and digging. I would like to try and break him of the habit if I can....Otherwise their water bowl looks like a footbath! Thanks!