Anybody know why dogs eat dirt.

[starr]

We moved a month ago and since then my dog has taken a liking to eating dirt. Yesterday I got up and she had had several accidents in her crate, fell down the stairs, had another accident before I could get her outside, and then ran away . Just let me say she never goes out of the yard and she has never fallen down the steps. I took her out later to discover that she had blood in her stool so we went to the vet.

4 years ago she had the same thing with the bloody stool. But they can't seem to tell me why it's happening they just give me meds and food and send me on my way. I don't know whether to be concerned with it or not. I also don't want her eating dirt but don't know how to stop it other than not letting her leave my sight. She likes roaming around outside but what can you do. Anybody know anything about the dirt eating?? TIA.

 

[AC/DC]

My shepherd eats grass ALL the time.......she doesn't throw it up either. :shrug:

I'd say your dog has some health issues for sure since there is blood in the stool.......take her for a second opinion.

 

[citysherry]

My shepherd eats grass ALL the time.......she doesn't throw it up either. :shrug:

My shepherd/akita mix eats grass also and doesn't but, feed her anything other than her dog food - like table scraps, and she’ll hurl.

 

[nomoney]

Since there are other health reasons involved (blood in stool), the dirt eating may be a sign of a vitamin or mineral deficiency. Or it may be something the dog is doing to aide in its digestion. Have you changed the dogs food latley?

 

[virgovictoria]

Since there are other health reasons involved (blood in stool), the dirt eating may be a sign of a vitamin or mineral deficiency. Or it may be something the dog is doing to aide in its digestion. Have you changed the dogs food latley?

Exactly... Dogs have a keen sense of intuition. You may want to have her bloodwork run and see if she needs to be on a special diet.. Or possibly, that she has some time of infection by a high WBC... :shrug:

I would.

 

[nomoney]

Exactly... Dogs have a keen sense of intuition. You may want to have her bloodwork run and see if she needs to be on a special diet.. Or possibly, that she has some time of infection by a high WBC... :shrug:

I would.

I wouldn't worry so much about the dog eating the dirt; I would worry more about why.. heck-my lab ate a whole bottle of liquid imodium ad the other day; and he's fine. Now my hubby is on the toilet alot more then normal-but the dog is fine

 

[virgovictoria]

I wouldn't worry so much about the dog eating the dirt; I would worry more about why.. heck-my lab ate a whole bottle of liquid imodium ad the other day; and he's fine. Now my hubby is on the toilet alot more then normal-but the dog is fine

 

[starr]

He asked what kind of food she was on and I told him she ate Iams. The doc said he would be concerned if I was feeding her some generic crap brand but that Iams is a good food. She is getting a dental here shortly (her breath is so nasty) and they do a whole blood work up before they knock them out.

 

[virgovictoria]

He asked what kind of food she was on and I told him she ate Iams. The doc said he would be concerned if I was feeding her some generic crap brand but that Iams is a good food. She is getting a dental here shortly (her breath is so nasty) and they do a whole blood work up before they knock them out.

You may want to ask your vet about the association of bacteria build up in the dog's mouth and systemic infections...

Also, I hope that you find the answer you are looking for.

 

[starr]

I believe the bacteria in their mouth leads to kideny and liver problems. Sometimes even lung problems. I just hope maybe it's a phase and she will get over it. Maybe she has always been a dirt eater but we didn't know from all the grass at the old house.
Thanks VV.