shmoo Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 A friend has two cavaliers (boy and girl), both appear healthy, good weight, vaccinated, wormed, regular flea/tick treated and desexed. They have a diet of crushed chicken necks in the morning and royal canin dry at night. No extra treats or human snacks on top of their food. They have started eating dirt to the point where their poo is coming out looking like dirt. I googled it and got many different answers - anybody have any experience with this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 No extra bones or anything to chew on? Maybe they are bored..maybe there is traces of fertiliser in the soil,,,maybe they are lacking in something.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shmoo Posted December 2, 2009 Author Share Posted December 2, 2009 Nothing extra. Boredom could be right, but they do get to go out. Maybe they need some mental stimulation? Think I will suggest changing their diet to a complete dry food product only and see if that makes a difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest belgian.blue Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 My dog eats dirt at the park we go to sometimes, esp if the soil is damp/wet. I was told they like the taste, of the nutrients contained in the soil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pixie_meg Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 Oberon will eat dirt occassionally. He gets excited sometimes and goes after one specific spot, taking out the grass roots and thenhis nose digs in the dirt. its like he's searching for something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CavsRcute Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 Lani will scatch, and then eat the dirt if it is a ltlle bit damp. I don't think she's missing snything in her diet.....I just think she likes to do it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindainfa Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 My cavalier loves to eat dirt, twigs and grass. He has a very balanced diet of a barf pattie with Royal Canin dry plus some days he has sardines, yogurt, eggs, raw bones. I think it is because he is 6 months old and still exploring the world around him and having some fun. I am hoping he will grow out of it as I do worry about what he puts in his mouth. How old are your friends cavs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 (edited) They have started eating dirt to the point where their poo is coming out looking like dirt. What do you mean by "looking like dirt". I'm imagining a stool that comprises a good part of dirt through and through. Is that what you mean? If that's the case, I wouldn't think that's good (although better out than in, so to speak). That both dogs are doing this indicates to me a possible dietary deficiency. She could try giving the dogs some mineral water. I've not needed to do this myself, but I know of others who have and their dogs stopped eating dirt as a result. If this improves the situation then it indicates diet does need to be adjusted. Edited December 2, 2009 by Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jed Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 (edited) I agree with Erny, sounds like a dietary deficiency. I'd go for a mineral/vitamin supplement, and you will find it wil stop. Add a spoonful of apple cider vinegar to their water or food as well. Or - mineral water, as Erny suggests. Although - oi, Erny, what is mineral water? Edited December 2, 2009 by Jed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 I would be going to a vet to get them checked if the Pica has reached these limits. A blood test would be in order too. If it's not physical it could be a mental thing they learned as pups Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 Although - oi, Erny, what is mineral water? You know ..... good ol' ordinary mineral water (as opposed to tonic water) that you buy in the supermarket. It's not to say the mineral water will contain everything or all, but I do know of a few people who used it as an indicator of whether the dog was eating dirt through habit or whether they were only doing it because they were attempting to self-supplement. It's a cheap, sometimes successful but not necessarily reliable 'test'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shmoo Posted December 3, 2009 Author Share Posted December 3, 2009 Thanks everybody for the advice. I shall discuss with them. Their poo looks like dirt.. really sandy, no poo consistency at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 Their poo looks like dirt.. really sandy, no poo consistency at all. They really do need to stop it- I'm sure their bowel does not appreciate the constant scouring I would recommend the owners have them checked for iron deficiency/anaemia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jed Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 Although - oi, Erny, what is mineral water? You know ..... good ol' ordinary mineral water (as opposed to tonic water) that you buy in the supermarket. It's not to say the mineral water will contain everything or all, but I do know of a few people who used it as an indicator of whether the dog was eating dirt through habit or whether they were only doing it because they were attempting to self-supplement. It's a cheap, sometimes successful but not necessarily reliable 'test'. That's what I thought you meant. Good idea, couldn't hurt. Never heard of it. Learn something new every day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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