As a pet owner, your furry friend is considered part of the family, and you’d do anything to make sure that your dog’s health and well-being is a top priority.
However, dogs can be downright quirky. It’s sometimes hard to know if a particular habit is concerning or just something to roll your eyes at.
If you’ve ever had a dog eat dirt, you may have wondered why they would do this.
Is it a problem? Do you need to address this habit?
If you’ve ever had a dog eat dirt or a dog eat grass, you’re not alone. Dogs aren’t always particularly picky.
The good news is that eating dirt won’t usually hurt your puppy or cause serious illness. It’s a relatively benign habit, so don’t panic!
You can, however, address the underlying cause and discourage the behavior.
There is a name for eating substances that aren’t normally part of your pet’s diet. If you have a dog eat grass or dirt, this is called pica.
Sometimes, a pet that eats odd things has just developed a bad habit, and redirection can reinforce a better behavior.
However, your dog may have a vitamin or mineral deficiency, and you can address that with a dietary adjustment. Feeding your dog a homemade or raw food diet rather than providing commercial dog food may lead to a lack of needed nutrients which can result in pica. Ask your vet to test your dog’s iron levels and assess their energy.
Every dog is different, and you can’t measure your puppy’s actions against the neighbor’s pooch.
Pets bring a lot of joy to their owners’ lives. In fact, studies show that spending time with your animal friends can have positive effects on your own health, with direct benefits that include reducing the risk of heart disease and improving the symptoms of depression.
For both your health and theirs, it’s a good idea to notice changes in your dog’s behavior. If your dog is eating dirt, the good news is that the risk of harm is quite low.
Still, talk to the vet if your puppy has also had a dramatic shift in their habits or if you see signs that they may need a dietary adjustment.
Image Credit Photo by James Barker on Unsplash