Dogs eating soil can be caused by many reasons, some are very minor reasons and some are more severe reasons. If your dog only occasionally eats dirt, there may not be much need to worry about it. He may just be trying to eat some buried food, and the soil is accidentally eaten! However, if your dog eats dirt a lot, this could be a sign that he has a problem. You need to pay close attention to the dog to see when it eats soil and try to figure out why. Only after doing so can you take effective steps to solve the problem.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Finding Out Why Dogs Eat Soil
Step 1. Learn some of the reasons dogs eat soil
Eating soil is a form of pica (a strange eating disorder), or eating non-food items. In some cases, pica is caused by a lack of minerals in your dog's diet or by parasites. In other cases, however, eating soil may be just a simple sign that the dog is bored. The reason for boredom is true especially in the case of puppies or young dogs. A dog may also eat soil to relieve indigestion because he is eating something he shouldn't be eating.
Step 2. Think about when the dog's habit of eating soil started
Has the food recently been changed, has there been a change in its level of activity, or has there been a change in its environment? Is the dog exhibiting any other unusual symptoms or behavior that might explain the problem? If you have several dogs, do they all eat soil?
- If your dog eats an unusual amount of soil, watch him closely if he has eaten something he shouldn't have and is showing signs of poisoning.
- If more than one dog in the house eats soil, it can be a sign that there is a nutritional deficiency in the diet.
- However, if more than one dog eats soil from the same location, there may be something tasty in the soil.
Step 3. Check your dog's gums
Eating soil may be a sign of anemia caused by a lack of nutrients in the diet or caused by parasites. If your dog's gums are pale or yellow in color, take him to the vet immediately for further diagnosis and treatment.
Step 4. Think about your dog's food
Most dog-specific foods contain enough vitamins and minerals to keep your dog healthy, but some brands contain fewer minerals than others. Check the labels on your dog's food packages and compare them to other brands to make sure the food has similar amounts of minerals like iron and calcium. If your dog eats raw or home cooked food, he may not be getting enough of the nutrients his body needs. In that case, talk to your vet about additional mineral supplements for him.
A dog can also eat soil because he is hungry. If you are eating less because you are already overweight, you may want to consider providing low-calorie foods to keep him feeling full instead of continuing to give him smaller portions of normal food
Step 5. Talk to the vet
If you still can't figure out why your dog is eating dirt, or you suspect that this could be a sign of a more serious problem, take your dog to the doctor. During the examination, the vet can check your dog's overall health, order the laboratory to check for possible malnutrition and disease, and look for signs of parasites.
- Some veterinarians may be pleased to provide advice over the phone. You can try calling your vet to talk about the dog's behavior and get some suggestions to try.
- Check the dog's poop. If he has diarrhea or his stools look greasy, he may not be digesting his food properly. This can lead to a nutritional imbalance and the dog eats the soil to heal it. If this is the case, consultation with a veterinarian is very important because the problem must be researched and found a solution.
Part 2 of 2: Preventing Dogs from Eating Soil
Step 1. Entertain your dog
Increase the amount of attention you give him, and give him a choice of some interesting new toys to play with. If possible, take your dog for more frequent walks. Busy and tired dogs are less likely to seek solace by eating dirt.
Step 2. Try changing your dog's food
If you suspect that your dog's food contains insufficient minerals, try a different brand. There are many types of dog food available. If you can afford it, premium quality brands usually use better, easier-to-digest ingredients. Be sure to find a food that suits your dog's needs (age, size, activity level, medical issues). When in doubt, call your veterinarian for advice.
Step 3. Clean the dog from parasitic worms
Digestive parasites such as roundworms, hookworms and whipworms can absorb the nutrients your dog needs and cause anemia and indigestion, both of which can trigger a dog to eat soil. Worms seen in your dog's feces are a clear sign that he is infected, but there are other symptoms as well including diarrhea, loss of appetite, loss of energy, etc. If you suspect worms, buy deworming tablets at your local pet store, or get one from your veterinarian.
Some dog breeds (especially Australian Shepherds and Collies) are sensitive to the ingredients in some deworming medications, so it's best to check with your veterinarian first
Step 4. If your dog only eats soil in specific places, avoid those places
Most likely, this is a sign that he is interested in eating something that is in the ground, not interested in the soil. But if this behavior bothers you, keep him away from that piece of land.
Step 5. Supervise your dog when outside
Take him for a walk on a leash, and watch him when he is in the field. Ban the dog by saying no-nonsense words when you see him start to eat the soil. Try to distract or distract him, and praise him when he doesn't eat the soil.
If your dog only eats soil from a specific place in the yard, you can try using a flavor enhancer in that area such as cayenne pepper, chili sauce, or bitter apple spray (available at pet stores)
Step 6. Place houseplants in pots out of reach of the dog
If your dog eats soil in a houseplant pot, keep the pot out of reach if possible. You can also spray flavoring agents on the soil in the pot.
If you see the dog walking towards the plant, say "sit" to him in a firm tone. When he follows your orders, reward him with a small snack to encourage his good behavior
Step 7. Use a spray bottle to train your dog not to eat soil
Carry a spray bottle filled with clean water with you when you go out for walks, and keep it close at hand when the dog is out in the field. When you see the dog start to eat the dirt, go up and scold him by saying "No!" in a firm manner. Wait a moment, and then spray his face with water from a spray bottle.
- Never use hot water, or mix anything in the water that could hurt the dog or sting his eyes.
- Never use a spray bottle on a dog that might bite you.
Step 8. Try using a remote control tool to train your dog
This tool can be silently triggered from a distance so the dog won't directly associate the punishment with you personally. A fairly popular option is a wind horn, or a lemongrass neck necklace that can be activated to emit an unpleasant odor when quietly triggered remotely.
Most dog owners do not like to use punishment for this habit, but some think that punishing a dog is justified if the behavior they are about to stop is harmful to the dog. Use your best judgment and do what is right for you to apply to your pet dog
Step 9. Keep your dog indoors
If you can't keep an eye on your dog when he's outside and can't stop him from eating dirt, you may want to keep him indoors while you're away. Make sure all the plants in the house are out of reach, or he may find a way to keep eating the soil in the house.
Step 10. Consider treating your dog's anxiety
If your dog won't stop eating dirt and is showing other signs of anxiety, first try to add entertainment to him and get rid of anything that makes him depressed as much as you can. If this isn't possible or doesn't help at all, talk to your vet about the possibility that he may need treatment for his anxiety.
Step 11. Consult a dog trainer or behavior specialist
If your vet doesn't find anything physically wrong with the dog, and none of these home remedies have worked, an experienced trainer or animal behavior specialist may be able to help you. Seek advice from your veterinarian, or contact the nearest pet store. You can also do an online search for "dog behavior" or "dog training" in the area where you live.
