I know someone with a "pet" coyote who started nomming on some charred wood during a brief spell in which she was feeding the coyote grapes ... she soon found out about grape toxicity and when she stopped feeding grapes, he stopped eating charred wood. (Charcoal products are sometimes used in poison cases in vet med.)
Don't know if that's the same as eating a big chunk of charcoal, though
Kristi Salinas Webboard User Reg: 04-10-2009
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When I lived in Alabama my dogs would root around in the leaves to get the snails- very crunchy. When I figured out what they were doing I stopped them because snails carry lots of parasites. Now my puppy tries to eat my lawn fertilizer (organic- made with biosolids and bat guano, mmmmmmm). I discourage this but until it works into the lawn he gets some. He also digs into the grass for crickets and what not. We have an anaerobic treatment unit that sprays out treat wastewater on half our yard and occasionally he nibbles on that dirt also. He digs up grass and eats it. He would eat pea gravel when we go to the playground if I let him. I am sure that dogs eat all sorts of nonfood things including dirt. It could be something on or mixed in with the dirt or a creature or other food item in the dirt with the dirt in the way.
Are you worried about pica in the sense of the eating of dirt because of a nutritional deficiency?
Yes! You figured it out. that is exactly what I was wondering. I live in Indiana as we have a lot of limestone under our soil. My water is full of iron and sulfur. I can't figure out if they are eating it for the sulfur and iron and whatever content in the soil or what is going on. I am going to analyze my soil with a nifty gun we have at work that tells the elemental metals in a sample. Maybe something IS there.
Kristi Salinas Webboard User Reg: 04-10-2009
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Loc: San Antonio, TX
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I just don't think that it is that unusual for animals to eat dirt products that have important nutrients. After all aren't animals in the wild drawn to salt licks and the like? I am most familiar with pica (in humans) caused by iron deficiency. I doubt your dogs have problems. They just like the taste of what they find there!
i don't know what the dirt eating is about. my dogs eat clay in illinois and sand in florida. some of my dogs have been eating dirt/sand for almost ten yrs. every once in a while there will be a conrete poop but they seem none the worse for it. my 5 month mal pup is doing it now too. monkey see monkey do.
Well, we all have the dogs that eat dirt or something in it. I have permission to get some samples from 3 different "licks" and test it at work...my boss is curious too.
We will see what elements are in it..good and bad!
Connie Sutherland Moderator Reg: 07-13-2005
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Loc: North-Central coast of California
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Quote: jo harker
Well, we all have the dogs that eat dirt or something in it. I have permission to get some samples from 3 different "licks" and test it at work...my boss is curious too.
We will see what elements are in it..good and bad!
That's what I would do, with the circumstances you describe. Good idea!
I don't allow either pica or coprophagia. I have adult dogs, so I don't see it as often as someone who has puppies (dogs more often than not outgrow both), but I have had three or four. I kept the dog on a leash and used leave it along with swapping.
In fact, the dog I had several years ago with severe coprophagia was the one who started me carrying mixed rewards all the time. As someone else here said, "Everything that happens is a training opportunity." And I would add, "Be ready."
In fact, the dog I had several years ago with severe coprophagia was the one who started me carrying mixed rewards all the time. As someone else here said, "Everything that happens is a training opportunity." And I would add, "Be ready."
Hmmm...good idea for Lucy the nibbler. Hambone, unless I pen him, (and he just mopes and dries up if I do), will still snack while ranging, probably...
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Re: Dogs appear to eat dirt
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