Sunday, July 29, 2012

Unwanted dog behavior - Eating dirt

By Jerry Welsh


Dogs are addicting! This statement will be commonly heard from people that have dogs for a pet. The outstanding qualities of dogs encourage people to have more than one dog for a pet. Because of the affectionate and loyal nature, dogs have become the most favored pets of man. Dogs have been the companions and helpers of man for thousands of years. Despite the long years of association these animals would exhibit behaviors that are puzzling to man. One of these bizarre behaviors is eating dirt. Why do dogs eat dirt you ask?

It is necessary for a dog owner to know the reasons behind the pet's partiality to dirt so that the habit can be curbed. Parvovirus is a highly contagious disease with a high mortality rate. Dogs that eat dirt can be infected with parvovirus easily as the virus that is shed through the feces by an infected dog can remain on the dirt for months.

A dog that has the propensity to eat dirt can have whipworm infestation too. Dogs that have a fondness for eating dirt can die from poisoning if the dirt eaten has poisonous substances. The dog's inclination to eat dirt is dangerous thus it must be stopped and owners can address this concern by knowing the reasons why dogs eat dirt.

Dogs have huge appetites and one that is not given sufficient amount of food can eat dirt to satisfy the gnawing of the stomach. Dogs though are pampered pets thus it would be impossible if owners would let the pet go hungry. What would be a more valid theory is that dogs are inclined to eat anything. The inclination to eat substances with no nutritional values is called pica. Pica can be associated with a behavioral concern. Dogs that are not provided with opportunities to socialize become problematic and hard to manage pets. The bored dog may eat dirt.

Dirt eating may be a sign that the dog's diet is nutritionally deficient or that the dog has a gastrointestinal concern. Due to eating indiscretion; dogs commonly suffer from stomach upsets. Cheap commercial food may be low on mineral and vitamin contents. Dogs though have the ability to "diagnose" and to correct any imbalance in their system. The inclination to consume dirt is a dog's effort to correct the nutritional deficiency that results from a poor quality diet. Needless to say, the dirt eating habit must be curbed because of its dangerous effects. A dog that eats dirt may be crying out for help.




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