7/23/2023 0 Comments Canine pica![]() Gastrointestinal Obstructionĭirt, rocks, sticks, or other objects, also called foreign bodies, can get stuck in a dog’s esophagus, stomach, or intestines. Chewing and consuming hard objects, like rocks and animal bones that may be mixed in with the dirt, can also fracture teeth.Īside from the more obvious dangers, here are some others that you may not be aware of. Eating clumps of dirt, mud, or other objects can pose a choking hazard. Is Eating Dirt Bad for Dogs?Ībsolutely! Eating dirt can pose a variety of problems for dogs. When dogs have an upset stomach, they sometimes eat dirt and/or grass to try to make themselves vomit. Shunts are rare but can be congenital (in puppies) or seen in adult or senior dogs. As a result, the liver receives an inadequate blood supply and does not function properly. Portosystemic (Liver) ShuntĪ shunt is an abnormal blood vessel that allows blood to bypass a dog’s liver. Any anemia, if severe enough, can cause a dog to eat dirt. Immune-mediated diseases and bleeding disorders are very rare but can also cause anemia in a dog of any age. Keep your dog on a good flea/tick prevention year-round, such as Simparica, NexGard, or Bravecto.Īdult and senior dogs can develop a severe anemia due to internal bleeding from certain types of cancerous masses. However, dogs of any age can get hookworms from the environment if they are not on heartworm prevention.Īll dogs are prone to fleas and ticks, which are blood-sucking parasites that can cause severe anemia. It is more common for puppies to have hookworms since they can typically contract these parasites through their mother’s milk when nursing. Anemia can be caused by a variety of things, such as hookworms, flea infestation, tick disease, cancer, immune-mediated diseases, or bleeding disorders. This medical condition refers to a low red blood cell count. ![]() Several medical issues can also cause dogs to want to eat dirt. Behavioralĭogs can get bored if they don’t have enough exercise or enrichment, and some will eat dirt to occupy their time.ĭogs with separation anxiety may eat dirt due to stress when they are separated from their pet parents. Brands such as Royal Canin, Hill’s Science Diet, and Purina all meet WSAVA guidelines. When selecting a good quality dog food, make sure the food you choose meets the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) nutritional guidelines and is made by a large, experienced, and reputable manufacturer. Dogs that are underfed may also eat dirt and other objects due to hunger and nutritional deficiencies. Some diets do not contain all the nutrients that a dog needs to live a healthy lifestyle.ĭietary deficiencies can cause dogs of any age to eat dirt to obtain minerals, like sodium, iron, and calcium from the soil. NutritionalĪll dog foods are not created equally. Your dog’s desire to eat dirt may be caused by nutritional, behavioral, or medical reasons. ![]() A form of pica called geophagia causes dogs to purposely eat dirt or mud. Consuming objects that are not food-related is an eating disorder called pica. Why did my dog just eat that? As a dog parent, you’ve probably asked this question at some point, whether your dog ate a stick, a rock, or dirt.
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