Why do my dogs eat dirt?

Question

Like I said I have 3 dogs....2 of them really eat dirt....do any of you know why. I feed them very well.

Answer 1

There might be some sort of nutrients that your dogs are deprived of and their body needs it. Most dogs will chew on grass and weeds when they need more fiber. Maybe something died on the ground and they want to eat whatever is left, or maybe they just want to eat dirt.

Answer 2

If you are feeding the name brand foods -healthier than I wouldn't say that your dog has an iron deficiency. Make sure that you watch to make sure that you don't have a greedy dog - the one that doesn't eat dirt. It could be that you have a dog that eats the two "dirt- eating" dogs food, therefore they aren't getting enough in the stomachs. I wouldn't worry about it though if you are feeding them good dog food and they are getting enough each day (meaning they aren't too skinny). If you are really worried about it, you can take them to the vets however if they are happy and seem to be healthy I wouldn't worry about it. Dogs will be dogs!

Answer 3

Haha! Yes, dogs are weird creatures. Eating grass settles their stomach. Ur dogs might be eating dirt because they smell something good in there. Scold them when they do, or cover up (or grow grass) over open patches of dirt. If their eating dirt from a garden, put a little fence around it (u could find cute ones that could add to ur garden).

Answer 4

Its the lack of nutrition or iron. they get it from the dirt because the dirt its a natural source, its in there instincts. Wolves will do that alot of they lost nutrients. The food that you feed make sure its not a store brand because they lack alot of the stuff your dog needs, and dont get IAMs because they test there food on animals and not oral either....its the bad type of testing...

good luck to you and ur dogs..

Answer 5

My dog gets the best food and treats and is absolutley spoilt rotten., yet she will go outside and root around in the grass eating little haypoo balls from the rabbits. Why she does it , I have no idea.

Answer 6

Their bodies are probably craving a nutrient in the dirt.

Answer 7

Well maybe they don't like the food you're giving them. Maybe they hid something under the dirt.

Answer 8

lol i know what you mean. my dog gets tons of treats and people food and dog food and he goes outside and eats grass and dirt and sand. i dont exactly know why. maybe they think it smells good.

Answer 9

Are they puppys? If so they are probably just playing around you have to remember they are just dogs they are smart but they don't really care to do stuff humans don't.

Answer 10

animals can gain nutrition from such unpalatable (as we see it) things, such as dirt, faeces, carrion etc. you aren't doing anything wrong. your dog's just following it's instincts. just have a care that your dog doesn't eat pesticide or fungicide treated soil.