Why do my dogs eat dirt?

[Rizon]

I have 2 dogs and they both eat dirt. At first I thought they were after worms or roots or something, but sure enough they're eating pure dirt. They scarf it down like it's meat. They're well fed so it's not like they're starving. What are they after in the dirt? Are they not getting enough of a certain mineral, or are they just fucked up in the head? Are my dogs into Scientology?

[cougarfreak]

if you find out let me know. My two do too.

[Raiders Army]

At least you're saving money on Kibbles'n'Bits.

[Schmidty]

Originally Posted by cougarfreak

My two do too.

Try saying that 5 times fast.

[Zippo]

Originally Posted by Schmidty

Try saying that 5 times fast.

lol

[Hurst2112]

At least they aren't eating shit.

[Raiders Army]

My dog eats pussy. Should I be concerned?

[Airhog]

My dog is 13 years old and I control many of her skin and food
allergies. Within the last week, I noticed that she is eating dirt. I
have not noticed this happening before. I had a complete set of blood
work done in July (CBC, liver, kidney, etc. - no thyroid) and
everything was normal. I usually feed her Nutro Lamb and Rice since it is
something that seems to work to control her allergies. When I noticed
this dirt eating behavior, I put her on rice, then people lamb and
rice but she is still eating dirt. My vet feels like there is not too much
to do since the blood work was normal not long ago. Do you have any
information or suggestions? Thanks for your help.
D

Answer: D-

The only cause for eating dirt that I can think of is pica (eating or
licking unusual objects) associated with anemia. If there is no evidence
of anemia, then this isn't very likely. Sometimes pica occurs with chronic
gastrointestinal disease, chronic pancreatitis and exocrine pancreatic
insufficiency but it doesn't seem to be a prominent aspect of these
diseases. There are probably other conditions that this can occur with
that I am not aware of, but it is not a sign that can be consistently linked
with any condition that I know of except the iron deficiency anemia's.

It would be worth considering repeating the lab work after a couple of
months (or sooner if your dog doesn't feel well) just to be sure that
there isn't a subtle disease process that might show up in repeat lab work.

Mike Richards, DVM
12/1/2001

[cougarfreak]

My do too. My do too. My do too. My do too. My do too.

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

Because you touch yourself at night!

[Fonzie]

Originally Posted by CHEMICAL SOLDIER

Because you touch yourself at night!

Whoa...how did you know that?

[st.cronin]

I think the answer is that dogs are really, really dumb.

[Apathetic Lurker]

They are sending you a message: the crap you give me is for the birds, gimme people food fool!!!

[Turd Ferguson]

Originally Posted by Rizon

Why do my dogs eat dirt?

Cause it tastes like it looks.... DELICIOUS!

[JeeberD]

They're probably not getting some vitamin or mineral in their diet and are getting it from the dirt instead...

[rkmsuf]

Dirt tastes like chicken.

[Fidatelo]

Maybe it's just fun?

[Pumpy Tudors]

Originally Posted by Rizon

Are my dogs into Scientology?

I am giggling my ass off over here.

[Silver Owl]

Originally Posted by JeeberD

They're probably not getting some vitamin or mineral in their diet and are getting it from the dirt instead...

I have heard this also, not getting a vitamin or mineral in their normal diet.

[Lorena]

They wanted mud pie?

[Rizon]

I caught them eating more today. Like it was steak or something.

So I decided to see what all the hype was about and tried some myself. Holy shit, was that stuff good.

[Fidatelo]

Not to jack this thread, but my puppy ate the "shoelace" thing that goes through the hood of my jacket tonight! She sucked it down like a string of spaghetti! What the hell is that about, how did she not choke to death? And why eat that thing?