Doggy Question,

[hawksley]

Why has my dog , started to eat soil and plant roots??? Thank you all.

[Zacs-Master]

There are many theories as to why dogs eat soil. possible causes include mineral deficiencies in the diet, as dogs do seem to be able to sense when they are lacking in certain minerals such as iron and compensate by eating soil. However, this is only likely to be an issue if you are giving him a low-quality food, or if he has problems absorbing all the nutrients from the food. Finally, this could be an example of a behavioural problem called pica which is when dogs (or people) eat inappropriate things. Check his diet and make sure it is a really good quality food. If this doesn’t resolve things, enlist the help of a qualified behaviourist to evaluate his mental state.

[Svejk]

Are you sure its a dog?

[Clanad]

I'd seriously consider worms... I can't ascribe the dog eating dirt to it's seemingly superior ability to self-diagnose mineral deficiencies... however, all animals that have intestinal worms seem to be aware of it and try to alleviate the condition. Given enough time, eating dirt would probably cure worms... but, either see your vet or try a tablespoonful (small palmful) of medicinal quality sulphur (available here in the U.S. at our pharmacist) mixed with an equal amount of honey or even corn syrup. The sweetener only causes the animal to eat the sulphur. If the dog passes worms or eggs in a day or so, repeat the treatment in about a week... If the dog doesn't have worms, the treatment will not harm him...

[ClaryS]

or better still just go buy some de-wormer from your vets

[wolf63]

There is always the possibility that he is doing it because he wants to and it tastes good.

[woofgang]

Clanad, I don't think you can get medicinal sulphur in the Uk, easier just to get worm tablets.Does he always eat it from the same place? In that case, it may be tht it tastes good! There is one place in the New Forest near us where our dogs have always enjoyed eating the soil and we have seen other dogs doing it too. If its in your garden, have you used cocoa by products ? They are sold as a n alternative to peat and also as soil improver, dogs like to eat it but it is poisonous to them. The other thing i ave seen my dogs want to eat is soil treated with fertilisers containing seaweed, or blood, bone and fish meal. Don't let your dog eat soil treated with any of these.

[Clanad]

Problem is Woof, all anthelmintics (medications that act to expel or destroy parasitic worms) are poisons-meant to poison the worm but not the dog... and are often ineffective or upsetting to the dog. Whereas sulphur is ingested by the worms killing them or otherwise killing the larvae, with no harmful effects to the dog. We have dewormed all of our dogs from time to time with sulphur/honey or syrup and never had ill-effects to the dog, but have seen dogs die from after affects of dewormer medications...

[RATTER15]

of give her some Diatomaceous Earth, you can feed it to your dog (follow directions) get human grade and you can eat it yourself, great for fleas (apply to coat) or worms add to food. totally harmless and woks great. Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation