A dog that keeps eating dirt can be puzzling and concerning. This can happen for various reasons.
Understanding why your dog keeps eating dirt is crucial for ensuring their health and well-being.
We outline the common causes behind this behavior, potential health risks, and what you should do if your dog keeps eating dirt. We’ll also cover when it’s time to seek veterinary help.
Table of Contents
Dog Keeps Eating Dirt: Why It Happens
If your dog keeps eating dirt, it could be due to a condition called pica, which is the compulsive ingestion of non-food items.
Dogs may eat dirt for several reasons, including nutritional deficiencies, especially in minerals like iron, boredom, stress, or even gastrointestinal issues like upset stomach or parasites.
In some cases, it may also be a learned behavior or a response to certain smells in the soil.
While occasional dirt-eating might not be alarming, persistent behavior can be harmful, leading to intestinal blockages, ingestion of toxins, or parasites.
Dog Keeps Eating Dirt: Common Causes
1. Nutritional Deficiencies
One of the primary reasons dogs eat dirt is due to nutritional deficiencies, especially a lack of minerals like iron, calcium, or zinc.
If your dog’s diet lacks essential nutrients, their body might drive them to eat non-food items such as dirt in an attempt to replenish these minerals.
Dogs eating dirt as a result of mineral deficiency is more common in dogs on homemade diets or those with poor-quality commercial food.
It’s the dog’s way of self-medicating, although it’s not a healthy or effective solution.
Related: Dog eating dirt and drinking lots of water (Here’s why)
2. Gastrointestinal Upset or Disorders
If your dog’s stomach or intestines are upset—due to gastritis, inflammation, parasites, or other digestive issues—they may eat dirt to soothe their discomfort.
Eating dirt can sometimes help dogs calm an irritated stomach or counteract nausea.
However, this behavior can also worsen gastrointestinal problems, as dirt can contain bacteria, parasites, or toxins that further irritate the digestive system.
3. Behavioral Causes: Boredom, Anxiety, or Stress
Dogs are intelligent and social creatures who need mental and physical stimulation.
If your dog is bored, stressed, or anxious, they might start eating dirt as a coping mechanism or out of boredom.
For example, a dog left alone for long periods or lacking sufficient exercise may chew and eat dirt simply to pass the time or relieve anxiety.
Stress-related behaviors can often escalate without proper intervention.
4. Pica: Eating Non-Food Items
Pica is a condition characterized by the persistent eating of non-food substances, including dirt, rocks, paper, or fabric.
Dogs with pica may have underlying medical or psychological issues that drive this compulsive behavior.
Pica can be dangerous, as ingesting dirt may lead to intestinal blockages or poisoning depending on what’s in the soil.
5. Curiosity and Exploration
Sometimes, dogs simply eat dirt out of curiosity, especially puppies and young dogs exploring their environment.
Dogs use their mouths to investigate new smells and textures, so occasional dirt eating in young dogs might just be normal exploratory behavior.
However, if this turns into a habit, it’s important to monitor and redirect the behavior.
6. Parasites
Intestinal parasites can cause your dog to feel hungry or nauseous, leading them to eat dirt in an attempt to relieve discomfort or fill a nutritional gap caused by the parasites stealing nutrients.
If your dog keeps eating dirt and also shows signs like diarrhea, vomiting, or weight loss, a parasite infection could be the cause.
Related: Dog eating dirt and lethargic (Here’s why)
Potential Risks of Dogs Eating Dirt
While an occasional lick or nibble of dirt may seem harmless, regular consumption of dirt can pose several health risks:
Parasite Infection: Dirt can contain parasite eggs such as roundworms and hookworms, which can infect your dog and cause digestive and systemic illness.
Toxin Ingestion: Chemicals, pesticides, fertilizers, or contaminated soil may poison your dog.
Bacterial Infection: Dirt harbors bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli, which can cause gastrointestinal infections.
Intestinal Blockages: Eating large amounts of dirt or soil mixed with rocks can lead to blockages requiring emergency surgery.
Dental Damage: Chewing on hard dirt or gravel can damage your dog’s teeth.
What To Do If Your Dog Keeps Eating Dirt
If you notice your dog keeps eating dirt frequently, here’s what you can do:
1. Visit Your Veterinarian
The first and most important step is to consult your vet.
A thorough examination can help identify any underlying medical conditions such as nutritional deficiencies, gastrointestinal problems, or parasites.
Your vet may recommend stool tests, blood work, or other diagnostics to pinpoint the cause and prescribe appropriate treatment.
2. Evaluate and Improve Your Dog’s Diet
Ensure your dog’s diet is nutritionally balanced and meets all their dietary needs.
If you prepare homemade meals, consult a pet nutritionist to avoid mineral deficiencies.
High-quality commercial dog foods that are complete and balanced usually provide the nutrients your dog requires.
3. Address Behavioral Issues
If boredom or anxiety is the cause, provide your dog with more physical exercise and mental stimulation.
Toys, training sessions, interactive games, and frequent walks can reduce dirt-eating driven by stress or boredom.
Consider calming aids or consult a professional dog behaviorist if anxiety or compulsive behaviors are severe.
4. Prevent Access to Dirt
When possible, supervise your dog outdoors and discourage dirt eating.
Training commands like “leave it” can help control unwanted behaviors.
You can also provide safe alternatives like chew toys or edible treats to distract your dog.
5. Parasite Prevention and Treatment
Keep your dog on regular parasite control medication as recommended by your vet.
Deworming and flea control reduce the risk of parasite-related dirt eating.
6. Environmental Safety
Make sure the soil your dog has access to is free from toxic chemicals, fertilizers, and pesticides.
When to Seek Immediate Veterinary Attention
Certain signs accompanying dirt eating require urgent veterinary care:
Vomiting or diarrhea lasting more than 24 hours
Blood in vomit or stool
Signs of abdominal pain or bloating
Lethargy or weakness
Difficulty breathing or excessive panting
Sudden loss of appetite
Any signs of poisoning (drooling, seizures, trembling)
If your dog swallows large amounts of dirt or rocks, immediate veterinary attention is critical to prevent blockages or poisoning.
Key Takeaway
Dogs eat dirt for many reasons — curiosity, nutrition, stress, or illness.
While it may sometimes be harmless, persistent dirt eating is a red flag to investigate.
Pay attention to your dog’s overall health and behavior. Regular veterinary check-ups and a nutritious diet can prevent many causes of dirt eating.
And remember, with patience and care, you can help your furry friend break this habit safely.
If your dog keeps eating dirt and you’re unsure why, don’t hesitate to reach out to your veterinarian for guidance.