Eating Dirt

[papbouv]

DH is always asking me here lately why Patches is eating dirt in the back yard??? She gets Taste of the Wild and a tiny bit of canned food Eagle Pack brand. I'm thinking she is eating grass because Buddy has been eating grass also but DH swears she is eating dirt. The grass is turning green after being winter tan so may be the reason too. If anyone has any ideas I'm all ears.Patches Mom
We never put anything on the yard in the back where the dogs are.

[Leslie]

Well, there are actual nutrients and minerals in dirt. 
One of the theories that dawgs eat grass is that it is full of selenium--plus it's tasty.  Taste a fresh green new blade a grass. Loki is partial to the roots of a particular weed in my yard--go figure.

Dirt is not just ground up rock.  There is bunny and squirrel poop, insects, fungus, seeds, plants, bird egg shells, tasty flowers, the occassional wild berry--a whole smorgasboard.  Unless there is a factory nearby spewing serious chemicals in the air or you live right next to a highway I would tolerate it to a degree.  And, it is fun!

I let my kids dig in one or two spots. Zuzu has made a more or less permanent "scrape" next to one side of the house where it's cool on a hot day and dry on a rainy one.

I too feed really good food and give suppliments but ya just can't keep them from tasting everything they come across.

[papbouv]

Thanks for your input I do not let it bother me its just DH is worried about it.

[doxielady5569128]

I was going to say the same thing about there being minerals in the dirt.  Many people in foreign countries eat dirt and claim it helps them stay healthy by replacing key nutrients they are missing in their diet.    I wouldn't worry about Patches eating dirt.