Why do dogs eat dirt from houseplants

Dogs eat dirt for a number of reasons. Dogs as omnivores would often ingest plant material from the stomach of downed prey in the wild and eating houseplants helps satisfy those urges.

Dogs that arent getting enough exercise may eat dirt simply because theyre bored just like they might tear up furniture indoors.

Why do dogs eat dirt from houseplants. - Low red blood cell count - anemia. Dogs with a low red blood cell count may lick or eat abnormal things such as dirt or bricks and concrete. This is because the dog feels like there is an iron deficiency from lower than normal red blood cells.

• Electrolyte deficiencies can do this as well but this is not common. Whether your puppy is actually eating the dirt out of the planter or is just jamming his nose into the dirt to inhale the tantalizing aromas it is a messy and annoying habit. The best way to stop your puppy from eating dirt out of your houseplants is through a combination of.

Dogs eat dirt for a number of reasons. The desire for munching on soil might be boredom or stress or it could simply be because they smelled something tasty mixed in the mud. But it could also signal an underlying health problem or a lack of proper nutrition says the American Kennel Club AKC.

Holistic veterinarian Dr. Coger DVM explains Dirt eating is a form of what is termed pica the ingestion of nonfood materials. There are many causes including nutritional.

For these dogs dirt is a delicacy and they are eating it simply because thats what they like to do Of course pure tastiness or interest isnt the only reason your dog might be doing all this dirty work he could be attempting to make up for some dietary deficiencies since dirt is filled with minerals explains Chavez. Dogs that arent getting enough exercise may eat dirt simply because theyre 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 like dirt. This is most often the case with puppies. The reason dogs eat plants is somewhat of a mystery.

Many people believe dogs eat plant material in an attempt to calm an upset stomach. Dogs as omnivores would often ingest plant material from the stomach of downed prey in the wild and eating houseplants helps satisfy those urges. In IBD there is decreased absorption of B vitamins.

So dogs with IBD could be eating dirt because they are trying to get more minerals to help deal with the anemia says Judy Morgan DVM CVA CVCP CVFT. Thyroid hormone helps stimulate the production of red blood cells by the bone marrow. Learn some of the reasons that dogs eat dirt.

Eating dirt is a form of pica or eating things that arent food. In some cases pica is caused by a mineral deficiency in your dogs diet or a parasite infestation. In other cases however eating dirt may simply be a sign of boredom.

This is especially true in puppies and young dogs. Why do Dogs Eat Dirt. Many owners frown or express disgust when they catch their dog munching on soil sand or dirt from houseplants.

What they fail to realize is it is a common action among dogs. Not every pet will eat dirt but given the circumstances many will. Dogs may snack on house plants for a variety of reasons so observe your canines behavior for clues to his motivation.

So long as your house plants arent toxic the behavior wont harm your dog. Your plants on the other hand may get raggedy if they become Fidos favorite snack. Your dog may be eating plants for several different reasons similar to why they like to eat grass.

Certain plants may taste good your dog may be suffering from a nutritional deficiency they may be nauseous or gassy and looking to relieve the symptoms or they may simply be bored. Contact your veterinarian if you notice your dog consistently. Some dogs prefer the taste of dirt maybe they develop a taste for the soil in their backyard or a park which they visit everyday.

If there are small insects like snails in the dirt that the dogs love to eat then dirt is just a part of such meals. Compost or fish residue fertilizers mixed in the soil is another thing which attracts the dogs. When animals eat unusual substances compulsively such as dirt kitty litter gravel etc we call this pica.

In some species eg horses its often out of boredom. While pica can sometimes be associated with behavioral idiosyncrasies like if you have a very bored dog its often more likely due to anemia or rare iron or mineral deficiencies. Reasons Why Dogs Eat Dirt.

There may be many reasons why a dog is eating dirt. These could range from mental or behavioral problems to a poor diet or just boredom. Some of these reasons are more problematic than others.

Lets dig down and see if eating dirt is bad for dogs.