I have a 10 year old Samoyed mix and lately every time I feed her she uses her nose to push dirt on top of the food and then she eats it. I was just wondering if any body knows why she would be doing this.
2007-03-12 11:27:55 · 8 answers · asked by Ashley B 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I don't put the food directly onto the ground I put it in a bowl and then put the bowl on the ground.
2007-03-12 12:02:12 · update #1
Are you feeding Eukanuba?
For some reason dogs on Eukanuba eat rocks and dirt. I've seen it on more than one occasion. As soon as they are switched to a different diet, they quit.
Maybe it's a mineral deficiency or something.
Anyway, change her food.
Look into Wellness, Canidae (which I personally feed, can't believe the difference in my senior dog since I switched), Artemis and California Natural. All are great, all have websites.
Also, consider giving her vitamins. I'm serious, there are doggie vitamins that may help. Look for Pet Tabs or go to www.arknaturals.com for a whole line of healthy products for your dog.
Good luck
EDIT
I just read that she's an older dog. Take her into the vet. Any sudden change in eating/behavior patterns could be a sign of illness.
2007-03-12 11:34:01 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a couple reason animals eat dirt and not just dog, most wild animals eat dirt.
It helps to get rid of toxins, helps to rids animals of internal parasites, they eat to obtain minerals like iron, and can help with upset stomachs, they eat when they have diareaha.
Basically animals have instinct to let them know when to self medicate by eating dirt
http://www.urbancarnivore.com/uc_online/pages.cfm?ID=48&CFID=218256&CFTOKEN=76212426
This line of dry dogfood actually contains added edible clay,
this type of clay contain over 50 minerals in their nature source http://www.naturesvariety.com/content.lasso?page=1305
You can also buy this clay as a food supplement
can be used in people and animals
http://www.rawfoodinfo.com/catalog/sup_Terraminclay.html
more info on http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/clay2.htm#a
2007-03-12 13:21:32 · answer #2 · answered by OntarioGreys 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Pica" the injestion of substances not normally eaten.
She's lacking something in her diet. Try varying her food and feed her inside.
I love Samoyeds, esp. the old types that were still bred huge!
.
2007-03-12 12:19:24 · answer #3 · answered by Icteridae 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you feed your dog on the ground?? She could have health problems such as worms or something...I would suggest not giving her food around dirt, I would think it would be bad for the digestive tract after a while.
2007-03-12 11:34:37 · answer #4 · answered by starbrite 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
She's saying that she wants some gravy on top of the food. Try putting some nut's, raisins, or steak in it from time to time. Try another brand of food and see if that behavior changes.
2007-03-12 11:33:12 · answer #5 · answered by zak w 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
she's lacking something in her food and body...and she knows where to get it...the earth is full of minerals and it won't hurt her...the same way that some dogs eat cat poop...makes no sense to us,,,but they know...birds need grit to digest food...she'll be ok
2007-03-12 16:16:42 · answer #6 · answered by eleanor l 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She could be lacking some type of vitamin or nutrient in her diet.
2007-03-12 11:35:36 · answer #7 · answered by mo 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hmmm, I'm not sure but please don't put any raisins on it as someone else suggested....they are poisonous to dogs!
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/grapeandraisin.htm
2007-03-12 11:36:27 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋