Eating Dirt

[ferrety]

Okay... to the vet this weekend, but want to know what anyone has experienced with this none-the-less...

Dixie has started eating dirt. I am GUESSING this is evidence of a mineral deficiency, but thought I would ask around. She has also acted as though her nubby itches very badly. I have checked it out and can find nothing, but still she is chewing at it and licking her haunches.

Any experiences?

 

[mybubbieroo]

Hi!

Not sure why she would be eating dirt, but just recently my vet told my sister {whose dog kept getting worm infestations} that it was hard to keep a dog worm free when it ate dirt. My guess is your Dixie should be checked for worms. Maybe someone on here would know why she is eating dirt or your vet might know. Good luck with Dixie!

 

[ferrety]

I am taking her to the vet. I have a hard time thinking it could be worms. We take her in very regularly and she has physical/fecal exams twice yearly and is wormed on schedule as well. Now, that means squat in the real world when I take her in and the vet tells me she has worms...

We will be heading up there in the morning first thing.

 

[gmacleod]

Well, there is a condition known as pica that has dogs eating all sorts of unsuitable objects. It's psychological, rather than caused by any sort of deficiency or physical abnormality. However, I think that's unlikely to be the case here - since the dirt-eating only just started, and it's only dirt she's consuming (not sticks, stones, wood, metal, rubber, etc).

You may well be right about some sort of vitamin or mineral deficiency though. What do you feed her, btw? And has she been eating the same food for a long time? The potential for deficiencies (or excesses) rises with continued feeding of the same food for long periods - and is one reason why changing foods periodically is a good idea.