The essentials
- Geophagia is common — Many dogs will eat dirt from time to time.
- Dirt can be dangerous — When dogs eat dirt, they risk consuming parasites, chemicals, or sharp objects.
- Watch for patterns and habits — If your dog eats dirt more than once or twice, plan to take them to the vet for evaluation.
Digging up flower beds, ripping up grass, and eating dirt are unfortunate but common backyard shenanigans for dogs. Unfortunately, geophagia, the habit of eating dirt, may do more than harm your lawn. Dirt can contain toxins or foreign objects that can hurt your dog if ingested. Eating a large volume of dirt can also cause your dog’s intestines to become compacted, which may require surgery. While eating dirt may not always cause problems, it’s not a good idea. Here’s what to do about your dog’s filthy habit.
Dr. Jennifer Schott[Intestines compacted due to dirt] isn't something we see too often as a dog has to eat a large amount of dirt to cause this. However it can happen and I have seen it a couple times!
3 reasons dogs eat dirt
Anything from boredom to nutritional deficiencies may influence the development of geophagia. Here are the most common reasons:
Nutritional
Even though dirt is rough on the digestive system, it does contain critical nutrients like iron, phosphorus, and potassium. If a dog is vitamin deficient, they could eat dirt to try to obtain these missing nutrients. Talk to your vet about your dog’s diet to make sure they’re receiving all of the nutrients they need.
Behavioral
Boredom and stress drives a lot of destructive behaviors in canines, including geophagia. Dogs that aren’t getting enough exercise may eat dirt simply because they’re bored, just like they might tear up furniture indoors. Dogs that experience stress or separation anxiety react in many different ways; one common stress response is eating things they shouldn’t — like dirt.
If you have a puppy, geophagia may also stem from their curiosity. Getting a little taste of dirt is one of the quickest ways for a puppy to figure out what it is. Sometimes, there might be something in the dirt that smells good and your dog simply wants to check it out.
Health Issues
A host of medical conditions can also lead dogs to eat dirt, including:
- Anemia. Low red blood cell counts lead animals to seek out nutrients in any way they can, including consuming dirt.
- Diet issues. If your pup is lacking key vitamins and nutrients, they may instinctively seek those nutrients out by eating dirt. Because soil contains calcium, iron, and other necessary minerals, it’s one of the easiest ways for dogs to get these minerals when they lack a balanced diet.
- Stomach trouble. Bacteria, viruses, or toxins in your pup’s gut may cause them to eat dirt. Your dog might be feeling sick and eating dirt is an instinctive response to help induce vomiting.
When should you worry?
If your dog eats dirt once or twice, there’s usually no cause for concern. However, if you notice your pup is frequently consuming large amounts of soil, it’s important to take them to the vet. The following are signs that you need to schedule an appointment with your dog’s veterinarian:
- If your dog is eating dirt frequently (more than once or twice)
- If they aren’t eating their food
- If they’re having irregular bowel movements
- They become lethargic or inactive
- If they have pale gums (this is commonly seen with anemia)
Your vet will examine your pet and run tests if necessary to find and rule out all of the potential causes. They may also check your dog for any internal injuries or blockages that may have occurred from eating dirt.
👉 Pay attention to how often and how much dirt your dog is eating. This will help your vet determine if there’s an underlying health issue.
Why dogs shouldn’t eat dirt
While dogs may develop geophagia for medical reasons, the habit itself can cause serious health problems. Here are some reasons why dogs shouldn’t eat dirt:
Intestinal impaction or obstruction
Too much dirt can clog up your dog’s intestines. There’s also a chance that your dog may ingest more than simple clay when they take a chunk out of the earth, ingesting sharp objects like bones or glass shards that can cause an intestinal blockage.
Mouth damage
Hard or sharp objects like rocks or glass can break your dog’s teeth, or lacerate their mouth or lips.
Intestinal parasites
If your dog eats dirt, they may inadvertently swallow insects, including parasites like roundworms or hookworms.
Toxins
Pesticides, insecticides, and herbicides all usually contain toxins. These chemicals can seriously harm your dog, especially in large amounts.
🚨 If your dog is eating dirt, they also might consume mulch. Cocoa bean mulch is toxic to dogs and can result in increased heart rate, hyperactivity, vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures.
How to stop your dog from eating dirt
You should always stop your dog from eating dirt. Curbing your dog’s behavior from the beginning helps prevent it from becoming a habit. Geophagia that arises from boredom is easily solved by providing your dog with stimulating activities and restricting their access to dirt. If the behavior persists, you should take your dog to the vet to make sure there isn’t an underlying issue.
Talk to a vet
If your dog won’t stop eating dirt no matter what you do, head to your vet. They’ll be able to examine your pet and, if necessary, run tests and find out if anything more serious is going on, such as intestinal issues, anemia, or another illness.
Provide entertainment
If your pup is eating dirt because they’re bored, they may need more physical exercise: time on walks, playing with toys, etc. A little bit of mental stimulation (and maybe a few brand new chew toys) for your pup can go a long way! We love this interactive dog puzzle by Outward Hound.
Keep them separated from the area
Avoidance is a crucial step that you should take. If your dog is compulsively eating dirt, do your best to keep them away from the area until you can get them to the vet for evaluation. This may include using a basket muzzle, fencing off the mulched areas in your yard, or keeping your dog indoors any time they can’t be supervised.
Use training and rewards
Positive reinforcement is an essential and effective tool that you have to keep your dog away from dirt and mulch. If you catch your dog wandering towards the place where they’ve been eating dirt, redirect their attention and reward them.
Make sure they’re receiving adequate nutrition
Nutrient deficiencies are a potential cause of geophagia. Consider talking to your vet about switching your dog to a new, well-balanced diet. Also, consider a canine supplement or vitamin that will make up for any deficiencies in your pup’s diet.
👉 Talk to your vet before changing your dog’s diet or starting them on a new supplement.
While we may think of “eat dirt” as a condescending joke, some dogs stoop to ground level and literally eat the earth. Dog owners are probably already accustomed to the idea of their pet having a few quirks, but this one can actually be dangerous. If you catch your dog eating dirt, redirect their attention and reward them for changing their behavior. If this craving persists, talk to your vet about making sure your dog is on the best diet. You should also always make sure your dog receives attention and adequate physical and mental exercise to prevent them from developing destructive behaviors.
Frequently asked questions
What does it mean when a dog eats dirt occasionally?
If you seldom catch your dog eating dirt, they could resort to the behavior out of boredom. Chronic dirt eating is referred to as geophagia, and usually points to a nutritional deficiency. Dogs who eat other random objects in addition to dirt are said to have pica disorder, which requires veterinary care and careful monitoring to keep them from eating something dangerous. Technically, geophagia is a type of pica, which is a generalized term for eating anything that isn’t food.
What vitamins are dogs lacking when they eat dirt?
Dirt is rich in nutrients such as phosphorus, potassium, and calcium. Dogs who frequently eat dirt may be lacking these essential nutrients.
Why is my senior dog eating dirt?
A nutritional deficiency is the most likely reason why a senior dog would suddenly start eating dirt. Talk to your veterinarian about your dog’s food to see if they might benefit from switching recipes, especially if they’re not yet on a food formulated for seniors.
Will a dog get sick if he eats dirt?
Dirt often contains pesticides, toxins, feces, parasites, bacteria, and even debris like broken glass. While dirt may not harm your dog every time, it can potentially kill them depending on the contents. If you catch your dog eating dirt, discourage them and remove them from the area if necessary. If they persist, take them to the vet for bloodwork to test if they might have a nutritional deficiency.
How can I tell if my dog has pica disorder?
Pica is a generalized disorder where a dog eats non-food items such as rocks, grass, or dirt. If a dog is only compulsively consuming dirt or soil, it’s known as geophagia. Pica and geophagia can be caused by nutritional deficiencies, behavioral issues, or medical conditions.
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