Content
- because dog eat dirt
- 1. Cock syndrome
- 2. Explore the environment
- 3. Boredom or stress
- 4. Need for attention
- 5. Hunger
- Dog eating dirt: what to do
- Dog eating sand: causes
Dogs are curious animals. They like to scour corners, bark, and often eat almost everything they find by the way. This behavior can be dangerous for them, especially if they ingest substances that are not only far from a dog's healthy diet, but can also be harmful to their health. Among these substances is the earth. Have you ever seen your dog eating dirt?
This behavior is not normal, so in this article by PeritoAnimal we will explain why a dog eating earth: causes and solutions. Do you want to know more? Keep reading!
because dog eat dirt
Ingesting soil is a very common behavior among dogs, whether it's soil from a pot in your apartment or directly from the garden. In the veterinary consultation, it is also common for owners to mention that "why does a dog eat weeds?"or "why dog eats rock and dirt?" it extracts from the ground. What motivates this behavior? There are several reasons that lead dogs to eat dirt and it is necessary that you know them, as they will be of great help when taking action against this habit. Here are the main reasons:
1. Cock syndrome
Cock syndrome is one of several eating disorders that a dog can suffer and explains because the dog eats dirt. It manifests itself as the desire to ingest inedible substances such as earth. It is a behavior that should not be considered normal or positive in puppies and requires a veterinarian's diagnosis. It can appear for many reasons, from stress to health problems.
2. Explore the environment
Puppies discover the world through their senses, just like human babies. So it's not unusual for a puppy to ingest inedible things like dirt, punctually. Of course, this behavior should not continue to manifest itself beyond 4 months of age.
3. Boredom or stress
a dog that passes many hours alone, lives in an environment with deficient environmental enrichment, receives punishment or does not go out for a walk, may start to develop boredom, stress and anxiety. Thus, one of the ways to channel anxiety is through destructive or compulsive behavior, which explains why the dog eats dirt.
4. Need for attention
Dogs that receive little attention from their owners may manifest "inappropriate behaviors" for the sole purpose of receiving attention, even if it means also receiving a punishment (which should never be done through negative reinforcement, but positive). In these cases, it is important to review the dog's daily routine and look for alternatives that help improve well-being involving all family members.
5. Hunger
Although it is rare, hunger can be one of the reasons that explains "because a dog eats dirt", which is why we recommend that you check the food pot your dog to confirm that the amount of feed you offer is sufficient. Remember that the food must always be adapted to the dog's age and level of physical activity. If you bet on homemade diets, see a vet.
Dog eating dirt: what to do
We've explained some reasons that answer your "why does my dog eat dirt" question, however, you might want to know what to do if your dog eats dirt, right? The first thing to note is that you must go to the vet to have an accurate diagnosis. From there, the veterinarian will prescribe ways to deal with this behavior, medications or whatever he deems appropriate.
But beyond that, in general, we're going to offer some tips that will help you improve your best friend's health and well-being:
- preventive medicine: in addition to visiting the veterinarian on a regular basis, don't forget to follow the dog's vaccination schedule and regular deworming, both internal and external.
- a daily routine: Dogs like to have a well-defined routine. Always offer the food in two or three takes, according to your availability, three tours a day, hours to play and have fun, affection, among others.
- Balanced food: Offering a quality diet that guarantees the nutritional needs is something that has an impact on your puppy's behavior and health. Check the composition of your dog's food to ensure that it is quality food and that the portions are correct. If you change your diet, remember to do this gradually, over a week or two, mixing both foods.
- Prevent him from accessing land: you must prevent your dog from ingesting dirt. To do this, keep the pots off the ground and allow the dog to access the garden only in your presence.
- don't punish your dog: avoid scolding your dog when he eats dirt, because as we explained, the need for attention is one of the causes that can motivate this behavior. Do activities with your dog outdoors to distract and strengthen him regularly.
Dog eating sand: causes
Dogs that live near the beach or have access to sand can start eating it, and this behavior can become a real health problem. As a result of this, these dogs develop diarrhea, vomiting, weakness and excessive thirst. Additionally, the sand may contain small stones, plastic debris, cigarettes and other hazardous inorganic materials. The reasons that trigger this behavior are the same that lead the dog to eat dirt. However, the sand is more dangerous for the reasons just explained.
If you also want to know because dog eats bush, check out our YouTube video: