Dirt Eating Dogs

911 · 12-07-2006, 01:56 PM

OK, anyone have any idea why my dogs eat dirt or red clay?

There is one spot in my yard where they go to get a tasty treat, or so they think.

I used to think it was because I filled in a hole with leaves and sticks and they were eating the decomposing leaves. So, I stopped and they are still doing it. Every time I go to the vet, I intend to ask him but, as always, I forget.

As I was growing up I heard about people, especially pregnant women, who ate red clay. There is actually a guy I work with who still does, he and his whole family.

I've thought that perhaps they were missing some vitamins, but their food should contain the vits they need. They are 10 and 13 years of age and they both do it. The one that is 13 used to could hear the cicada larva in the ground and dig them up and eat them. But, his hearing is bad now and he doesn't do that as often.

I am afraid to fill in the hole with any kind of topsoil that I could buy for fear there might be pesticides or germs in it and they would get sick. I have even taken dirt from other areas of the yard and they dug through that to get to the "good stuff".

Any ideas?

DesignerGal · 12-07-2006, 01:58 PM

My dogs do tha with grubs. YUCK! But sorry, I dont know why or how to help.

zinkyusa · 12-07-2006, 02:13 PM

Here is some dirt they might like to taste. Where do you suppose the dirt came from?

abbey · 12-07-2006, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 911

OK, anyone have any idea why my dogs eat dirt or red clay?

There is one spot in my yard where they go to get a tasty treat, or so they think.

I used to think it was because I filled in a hole with leaves and sticks and they were eating the decomposing leaves. So, I stopped and they are still doing it. Every time I go to the vet, I intend to ask him but, as always, I forget.

As I was growing up I heard about people, especially pregnant women, who ate red clay. There is actually a guy I work with who still does, he and his whole family.

I've thought that perhaps they were missing some vitamins, but their food should contain the vits they need. They are 10 and 13 years of age and they both do it. The one that is 13 used to could hear the cicada larva in the ground and dig them up and eat them. But, his hearing is bad now and he doesn't do that as often.

I am afraid to fill in the hole with any kind of topsoil that I could buy for fear there might be pesticides or germs in it and they would get sick. I have even taken dirt from other areas of the yard and they dug through that to get to the "good stuff".

Any ideas?

Could it be possible that another animal is peeing or poo'ing on the spot where they are eating the dirt?

koan · 12-07-2006, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abbey

Could it be possible that another animal is peeing or poo'ing on the spot where they are eating the dirt?

Glad you said it first, abbey

zinkyusa · 12-07-2006, 02:22 PM

check this out:

http://www.gopetsamerica.com/dog-hea...ocks-pica.aspx

valerie · 12-07-2006, 04:12 PM

It might be they are lacking something (pica) but I think it's more likely
due to boredom, and that's just a convenient spot for them to get at.

Do you know how much they are consuming?

They should be getting everything from their diet, you're right, if
you are feeding good quality kibble and not Ol' Roy or something.
At their ages, a good senior formula.

There is a quick fix, put some of their poop (each dog) in the hole
and cover it back up. This is only if they've never been poop eaters.
You might try sprinkling hot sauce or black pepper over the area, but
be aware some dogs grow to like this, too.

I'd look to their diet as the culprit. If I were you, I'd start getting them
each a teaspoon of "probiotics" in their meals, maybe up to a
tablespoon each a day, if they tolerate it. (And my almost 14 year
old tolerates it well). They should be getting 2 meals a day now, if
they are only getting one, split the amount in half and feed them
morning and evening.

Oh, and probiotics just means active culture yogurt, plain, nothing
fancy, will help them build good intestinal bacteria.

Lulu2 · 12-07-2006, 05:20 PM

Val's right...I'm assuming your dogs are current on their exams. I'd mention it to the vet. Pica can be a sign of anything from boredom to a serious condition.

rachelg · 12-07-2006, 05:32 PM

My dogs just LOVE cat poop. Are you sure a cat hasn't buried some poop where they are eating?

valerie · 12-07-2006, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rachelg

My dogs just LOVE cat poop. Are you sure a cat hasn't buried some poop where they are eating?

Now THERE'S an idea!!

(Can't hardly think of a dog that doesn't love it!!)

EEEW.

12-07-2006, 01:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
911 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: THE HUMID SOUTH Posts: 1,912	Dirt Eating Dogs OK, anyone have any idea why my dogs eat dirt or red clay? There is one spot in my yard where they go to get a tasty treat, or so they think. I used to think it was because I filled in a hole with leaves and sticks and they were eating the decomposing leaves. So, I stopped and they are still doing it. Every time I go to the vet, I intend to ask him but, as always, I forget. As I was growing up I heard about people, especially pregnant women, who ate red clay. There is actually a guy I work with who still does, he and his whole family. I've thought that perhaps they were missing some vitamins, but their food should contain the vits they need. They are 10 and 13 years of age and they both do it. The one that is 13 used to could hear the cicada larva in the ground and dig them up and eat them. But, his hearing is bad now and he doesn't do that as often. I am afraid to fill in the hole with any kind of topsoil that I could buy for fear there might be pesticides or germs in it and they would get sick. I have even taken dirt from other areas of the yard and they dug through that to get to the "good stuff". Any ideas? __________________ Whatever befalls the earth befalls the children of the earth. We do not weave the web of life, we are merely a strand in it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. Chief Seattle There is a difference between a hillbilly and a redneck. A hillbilly is ignorant and doesn't know better. A redneck knows better and is still ignorant.
Local Time: 07:02 PM Local Date: 12-03-2008

12-07-2006, 01:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
DesignerGal I love Dex! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: rolling in Poison Ivy Posts: 2,483	Re: Dirt Eating Dogs My dogs do tha with grubs. YUCK! But sorry, I dont know why or how to help. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] HBIC
Local Time: 09:02 PM Local Date: 12-03-2008

12-07-2006, 02:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
zinkyusa gangsta' Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: suckin' peoples blood Posts: 3,280	Re: Dirt Eating Dogs Here is some dirt they might like to taste. Where do you suppose the dirt came from? Attached Thumbnails __________________ You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be misquoted, then used against you.
Local Time: 09:02 PM Local Date: 12-03-2008

12-07-2006, 02:22 PM	#6 (permalink)
zinkyusa gangsta' Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: suckin' peoples blood Posts: 3,280	Re: Dirt Eating Dogs check this out: http://www.gopetsamerica.com/dog-hea...ocks-pica.aspx __________________ You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be misquoted, then used against you.
Local Time: 09:02 PM Local Date: 12-03-2008

12-07-2006, 04:12 PM	#7 (permalink)
valerie Watanya Cecilia Supporting Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 6,358	Re: Dirt Eating Dogs It might be they are lacking something (pica) but I think it's more likely due to boredom, and that's just a convenient spot for them to get at. Do you know how much they are consuming? They should be getting everything from their diet, you're right, if you are feeding good quality kibble and not Ol' Roy or something. At their ages, a good senior formula. There is a quick fix, put some of their poop (each dog) in the hole and cover it back up. This is only if they've never been poop eaters. You might try sprinkling hot sauce or black pepper over the area, but be aware some dogs grow to like this, too. I'd look to their diet as the culprit. If I were you, I'd start getting them each a teaspoon of "probiotics" in their meals, maybe up to a tablespoon each a day, if they tolerate it. (And my almost 14 year old tolerates it well). They should be getting 2 meals a day now, if they are only getting one, split the amount in half and feed them morning and evening. Oh, and probiotics just means active culture yogurt, plain, nothing fancy, will help them build good intestinal bacteria. __________________ Tamsen's Dogster Page http://www.dogster.com/?27525
Local Time: 05:02 PM Local Date: 12-03-2008

12-07-2006, 05:20 PM	#8 (permalink)
Lulu2 Senior Member Supporting Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: So. Calif. Posts: 6,051	Re: Dirt Eating Dogs Val's right...I'm assuming your dogs are current on their exams. I'd mention it to the vet. Pica can be a sign of anything from boredom to a serious condition. __________________ My candle's burning at both ends, it will not last the night. But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends--It gives a lovely light!--Edna St. Vincent Millay
Local Time: 05:02 PM Local Date: 12-03-2008

12-07-2006, 05:32 PM	#9 (permalink)
rachelg Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Southwest Virginia Posts: 287	Re: Dirt Eating Dogs My dogs just LOVE cat poop. Are you sure a cat hasn't buried some poop where they are eating?
Local Time: 05:02 PM Local Date: 12-03-2008

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