Dogs eat dust for many reasons; Some are very small but some are very serious. Once your pooch has eaten the dust, it is nothing to be stressed about.
He may be trying to find and eat what is buried under the dirt! Off chance, if your dog starts to see dirt on his mouth on a daily basis, then there is a problem.
This could be a serious problem indication. You need to start paying close attention to your puppy’s behavior and monitor his movements.
It is very important to find out why your pooch is engaged in such an activity or what caused him to eat the dirt. Here are the things you need to do to quickly and easily identify:
Decide why your dog is eating dirt
Eating mud is a type of eating disorder called pica. Each time, Pica comes from a mineral deficiency in your dog’s eating routine or from parasite infestation. In some cases, eating mud may be a sign of fatigue in dogs.
This is especially true in the case of puppies and young dogs. A puppy can also eat mud to reduce intestinal pain.
Examine when dirt eating started: Are there any changes in the pooch eating routine, activity level, or environment? Does the canine exhibit other unusual references or practices that clarify the problem?
If you have more than one dog, find out if all of them are in the dustbin.
If they are, it means that there is something wrong with their diet. If you notice that all the animals are eating dirt from the same area, it means that there is something tasty or delicious that attracts the dogs about that floor area. Testing that soil will give you some clear indication!
Check your puppy’s gums: Eating dirt may be a sign of food deficiencies or iron deficiency (anemia) brought on by parasites. In case the puppy’s gums are pale or tense, take him to the vet immediately for further diagnosis and treatment.
Think about your dog’s diet: Provide your dog with nutritious, healthy and tasty food. Talk to your vet about the minerals that are beneficial to your dog. A dog can start eating dirt from hunger. Do not reduce your dog’s diet before contacting your vet. Consider providing a low calorie diet that makes them feel full.
How to prevent your dog from eating dirt
Entertain your dog: Increase the amount of attention you give to your puppy and give him new and cute toys to play with. Take your walk for a long walk and play more with them. Also, keep in mind that well-fed and exercised pooch are less inclined to eat dirt.
Try to change your dog’s diet: If you find that your dog’s daily diet does not contain minerals, go for another brand of dog food. There are many dog foods available in the market.
You can contact your vet to guide you in purchasing the best product. Don’t go for cheap products, keep in mind that premium brands provide good nutrition and are easily digested.
If your dog eats from a specific area, try to keep them away from that area: this is a sign that your canine is tempted to eat anything specifically in that muddy area.
Try to keep him away from that place and test the soil to find out what caused him to eat from that area.
Handle your dog while outside: Guide your dog on a leash and look for any dirty eating tendencies. Swear at them once with a loud voice of your voice to make it clear to them that they should not engage in this kind of activity.
You can also try the distraction method by giving them a treat if they leave dirt. Try giving them treats with different flavors like cayenne pepper, hot sauce.
Keep potted plants away: If your dog eats dirt from potted houseplants, keep pots out of their range. You can try sprinkling them with flavor enhancer.
If you find your dog approaching the plant, strongly urge them to ‘sit down’. If they obey your command, reward them for strengthening positive behavior.
Keep your dog indoors: If you can not direct your dog’s actions while you are out or motivate them to stop eating dirt, think about keeping them indoors for a few days. Also, keep all potted plants away from your dog.
We suggest talking to a dog trainer to help you manage your dog’s activities while outside.
