Our dogs do the darndest things, don’t they?
I’ve caught my dogs eating paper towels, stuffing from inside toys, earplugs, and even worse, their own poop before…
But what if your dog ate potting soil? Is it harmless or is it something that could be dangerous and needs to be avoided at all costs?
Well, in this article we’ll be answering those types of questions, and we’ll be doing it by covering the following topics…
- Why Do Dogs Dig In Potted Plants And Eat Soil?
- Is It Bad For Dogs To Eat Potting Soil?
- What Happens If A Dog Eats Plant Soil?
- Can A Dog Get Sick From Eating Dirt?
- My Dog Ate Potting Soil And Is Throwing Up – What Should I Do?
- How To Stop Your Dog From Eating Potting Soil In The Future…
In the end, you’ll know why eating potting soil is dangerous for your dog, and you’ll know exactly how to stop it from happening again in the future…
Let’s begin by discussing why dogs dig in plants and eat soil in the first place…
Why Do Dogs Dig In Potted Plants And Eat Soil?
There are a variety of reasons why dogs will dig in potted plants and then eat the soil, but first, let’s discuss the digging issue…
It’s actually pretty common for dogs to start this behavior simply because they’re bored at home and looking for a way to entertain themselves…
Aside from that, a dog might start digging up houseplants because of anxiety due to being separated from you (their doggie parent) or due to a number of other reasons as well…
It’s also possible that your dog is exercising his or her digging instincts, and with ratting breeds, such as many terriers, it’s common for them to dig in search of vermin…
Now when it comes to your dog actually eating the potting soil, again, there are several potential reasons why it could be happening, such as the following…
Your Dog Is Bored…
Dogs can do some pretty strange things when they’re bored. Sometimes that will include chewing on shoes, socks, and furniture…
But other times it can cause them to eat strange things that are inedible including dirt and soil.
Your Dog Is Hungry…
Sometimes dogs will eat soil simply because they’re hungry, and when they’re looking around the house for something to snack on, soil stands out as the best option.
Your Dog Is Lacking Nutrients…
If a dog is feeling as if he (or she) lacks the proper nutrients from his dog food, he’ll go out searching for a way to acquire those nutrients…
Eating soil could be a way that your dog tries to make up for having a poor diet that lacks things like vitamins, minerals, and good bacteria…
Your Dog Is Curious…
Dogs are naturally curious little creatures, and sometimes the smell of soil (or certain things contained in soil) can draw them to it…
In addition to that, part of the way dogs explore and experience things is with their sense of smell and their sense of taste…
And once your dog has had a taste of soil, he may keep coming back because it’s a flavor he enjoys.
Your Dog Has A Health Problem…
Some dogs will eat soil because they have pain or interstitial discomfort, and they’re looking for a way to soothe those issues…
It is more common for dogs with these problems to try eating grass, but some dogs have been known to try eating dirt or soil as a way to smooth out stomach problems.
Your Dog Has Pica…
Pica is a condition that dogs may have in which they feel drawn to eat objects that are not food and that have no nutritional value…
Some of the objects that dogs with Pica might eat include things like paper, books, batteries, jewelry (such as earrings), rocks, soil, their own poop, and several other things…
If you suspect that your dog is eating soil due to Pica or any of the other health issues, you should contact a vet to discuss the issue further…
Is It Bad For Dogs To Eat Potting Soil?
Most of the time, eating potting soil will not cause serious medical issues for your dog, but that being said, there are potential risks and you should certainly discourage the behavior…
Oftentimes, there are chemicals and pesticides found in soil that can be harmful to dogs, and if enough of the soil is eaten, these things can reach toxic levels…
It’s also possible that while eating soil, your dog is also eating things like worms, insects, and parasites, which can cause a number of health problems…
On top of that, there’s also the potential for insects like ants and bees to sting or bite your dog inside of his or her mouth.
What Happens If A Dog Eats Plant Soil?
When a dog eats plant soil, the soil will work its way through his or her gastrointestinal system…
If your dog has eaten a lot of soil all at once, there is the possibility of fecal impaction, which is when your dog has a large, hard mass of stool that gets stuck and can’t pass through the colon…
Fecal impaction is life-threatening, and will require that your dog undergo surgery to have the mass of stool removed…
If your dog has eaten a large amount of potting soil all at once, you should contact a veterinarian immediately…
Can A Dog Get Sick From Eating Dirt?
As I mentioned before, dogs can get sick from eating dirt, especially when it’s potting soil…
You see, soil contains fertilizers, chemicals for lawns, pesticides, and other toxins, which can all reach toxic levels if your dog eats enough soil…
In addition to that, your dog is at risk of ingesting parasites when eating dirt, which can cause a number of serious medical issues.
My Dog Ate Potting Soil And Is Throwing Up – What Should I Do?
It’s not uncommon for dogs to start vomiting when they eat things that are inedible. The reason why is because your dog’s digestive system is recognizing that the object eaten was not food…
…and his (or her) body is trying to purge it before it can work its way further through his system.
That being said, if your dog is throwing up, it’s possible that he’s experiencing Fertilizer Poisoning.
Fertilizer Poisoning can be very serious and some of the symptoms will include…
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Breathing difficulties
- Lethargy
- Abdominal pains
- Tremors
- Eye tearing or redness
Because of the potential for Fertilizers Poisoning, you should contact a vet immediately if your dog is throwing up or has diarrhea after ingesting potting soil…
How To Stop Your Dog From Eating Potting Soil In The Future…
Because of the potential health risks, it’s important that you take measures to prevent your dog from eating soil in the future…
One of the easiest things you can do is to move plants to an area that your dog can’t access. Unfortunately, not every plant can be easily moved, but this is one option that may be helpful to you…
If you suspect that your dog is eating soil because he (or she) is bored or just overly curious while you’re away at work during the day…
I recommend you check out this. It’s a great way to keep your dog entertained all day long, and it does it in a science-based and healthy way…
In addition to that, if you think that your dog food isn’t quite giving your pup all the minerals, nutrients, and vitamins that he needs, you should consider switching to a new one…
I really like the Ollie brand, but there are many other very nutritious dog foods available, and you should talk to your vet to determine if switching dog food is the right course of action to take…
All that being said, one of the best things you can do to prevent your dog from chewing and eating dangerous things is proper obedience training…
Now there are a lot of fantastic training programs out there, but the one I recommend is called Brain Training For Dogs…
I like it because it’s easy to follow, it works quickly, and you can access the program from the comfort of your own home…
Within the program, you’re taught simple techniques that can quickly make drastic changes to your dog’s behavior because they appeal to the intelligence he or she already has…
If you’d like to learn more about how Brain Training For Dogs can help you train your dog to stop eating soil, click the link below…
Wrap Up…
So in summary, if your dog ate potting soil, it can cause some issues. Just be sure to monitor your dog afterwards…
And if you notice vomiting, diarrhea, or any other unusual behavior, you should contact a vet as soon as possible…
Also, it’s a good idea to consider obedience training and some of the other ideas that were put forth in this article, to help prevent your dog from eating soil again in the future.