Why Do Dogs Eat Dirt? - PetMD

Why Does My Dog Eat Dirt?

Your dog’s desire to eat dirt may be caused by nutritional, behavioral, or medical reasons.

Nutritional

All dog foods are not created equally. Some diets do not contain all the nutrients that a dog needs to live a healthy lifestyle.

Dietary deficiencies can cause dogs of any age to eat dirt to obtain minerals, like sodium, iron, and calcium from the soil. Dogs that are underfed may also eat dirt and other objects due to hunger and nutritional deficiencies.

When selecting a good quality dog food, make sure the food you choose meets the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) nutritional guidelines and is made by a large, experienced, and reputable manufacturer. Brands such as Royal Canin®, Hill’s® Science Diet, and Purina® all meet WSAVA guidelines.

Behavioral

Dogs can get bored if they don’t have enough exercise or enrichment, and some will eat dirt to occupy their time.

Dogs with separation anxiety may eat dirt due to stress when they are separated from their pet parents. Dogs can develop anxiety at any age.

Medical

Several medical issues can also cause dogs to want to eat dirt.

Anemia

This medical condition refers to a low red blood cell count. Anemia can be caused by a variety of things, such as hookworms, flea infestation, tick disease, cancer, immune-mediated diseases, or bleeding disorders.

It is more common for puppies to have hookworms since they can typically contract these parasites through their mother’s milk when nursing. However, dogs of any age can get hookworms from the environment if they are not on heartworm prevention.

All dogs are prone to fleas and ticks, which are blood-sucking parasites that can cause severe anemia. Keep your dog on a good flea/tick prevention year-round, such as Simparica™, NexGard®, or Bravecto®.

Adult and senior dogs can develop a severe anemia due to internal bleeding from certain types of cancerous masses. Immune-mediated diseases and bleeding disorders are very rare but can also cause anemia in a dog of any age.  Any anemia, if severe enough, can cause a dog to eat dirt.

Portosystemic (Liver) Shunt

A shunt is an abnormal blood vessel that allows blood to bypass a dog’s liver. As a result, the liver receives an inadequate blood supply and does not function properly. Shunts are rare but can be congenital (in puppies) or seen in adult or senior dogs.

Gastritis (Inflammation of the Stomach)

When dogs have an upset stomach, they sometimes eat dirt and/or grass to try to make themselves vomit.