Does your dog snack on soil? Or munch on mud? As shocking as it is to find your dog eating dirt, it's not an uncommon habit in our canine friends. That said, it's certainly not a healthy or normal dietary preference. A dog that consistently seeks out non-food items has an eating disorder known as pica. It can have several possible causes, or no cause at all.
Is Something Missing From Your Dog's Diet?
Sometimes, the urge to eat dirt comes from cravings that stem from a vitamin or mineral deficiency in the diet. Your dog may experience unusual cravings as a result of not getting enough iron, b-vitamins or zinc, for example.
One reason your dog's diet may be insufficient is because you may not be feeding them enough. This is often true in cases of dogs who are put on a diet. Decreasing your dog's daily food rations may lower their caloric intake, but it will also lower their intake of essential vitamins and minerals.
If this is the case, you'll need to adjust your dog's weight loss plan. Instead of simply feeding them less of their normal food, try switching to a weight maintenance food like Blue Buffalo Healthy Weight.
Probiotics for Dogs
Indigestion can also drive your dog to eat dirt. A probiotic supplement like our Probiotic Chewys can provide the beneficial bacteria that your dog may have been seeking from the soil.
Talk to your vet about assessing your dog's diet for deficiencies, especially if changing their diet does not work.
What If My Dog Just Likes Eating Dirt?
Some dogs just can't help but eat everything. The soil in your garden might be tempting if you use manure, compost or some other pungent fertilizer. Or, there may be dead bugs or critters in the dirt that give off an interesting flavor.
It can be helpful to spray Fooey! Bitter Training Aid in your dog's favorite dirt patches to help deter them from the taste.
Or, you can work with a trainer or behaviorist to teach your dog "leave it" or to come back to you when you catch them eating dirt.
However, even the most well-mannered dog will likely eat dirt if given the opportunity. You may need to use fences or barriers to keep your dog out of your garden.
Can My Dog Get Sick From Eating Dirt?
Your dog could ingest fertilizers, pesticides or other lawn chemicals from eating dirt. Also, they can swallow parasitic eggs or larvae. Even if your dog is not showing symptoms, you should bring a stool sample to your vet for a fecal analysis. Your veterinarian can see if your dog has contracted a parasite such as roundworms or giardia.
If your dog eventually stops eating dirt, you should still take them once or twice a year for a veterinary checkup with a fecal test to keep their health in check. You can prevent your dog from contracting heartworms and other parasites with a once-monthly preventative like Interceptor Plus.
FAQs
1-800-PetMeds is a legitimate and reputable online pharmacy. The company has been verified as an online veterinary pharmacy by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. Some of its customers have complaints, but all its products are affordable and protected by a money-back guarantee.
How does 1800petmeds verify prescriptions? ›
We'll contact your Vet to verify. We'll contact your Vet to verify.
Can I get a vet prescription without going to the vet? ›
Prescription medications are those that can only be legally supplied and purchased alongside a valid prescription. In order to get a valid prescription you will need to visit a vet who will be able to write one for you.
Which is better, PetMeds or Chewy? ›
PetMeds has dog, cat, and horse medication, so they are a great resource for your equine friends. Chewy goes a step further: their pharmacy covers all kinds of farm animals, along with cats, dogs, birds, and even reptiles. So if you have a menagerie, Chewy is probably the best bet for your non-traditional pet.
Is it cheaper to buy PetMeds online? ›
Here's why buying from online pet stores is more cost effective. All it takes is a quick online search to find that the pet medication your veterinarian just wrote you a prescription for is drastically cheaper at online pet stores than purchasing the medication at his or her office.
How long does 1-800-PetMeds take to ship? ›
They ship most orders within 1-2 business days after receiving them. 1800PetMeds also offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee, allowing customers to return any unused items within 30 days of purchase for a full refund or exchange.
Is Chewy cheaper than the vet? ›
Ordering pet medications from online retailers, such as Chewy, Petco, PetMeds, and WalmartPetRx, can be cheaper than getting them at the veterinarian's office, and also offers the added convenience of home delivery and automatic refills.
Can you buy PetMeds without a vet prescription? ›
Can you order pet meds without a vet prescription? That depends on the type of medication. Some types of pet medications require a prescription, while others might be over the counter. Either way, consult with a veterinarian before medicating your pet.
Does Chewy actually contact the vet? ›
If you select "I want Chewy to contact my veterinarian" while placing your order, we will contact your veterinarian on your behalf to get approval for your pet's prescription.
Can a vet write a prescription without seeing the patient? ›
A: It is unethical, and, in most states, unlawful, for a veterinarian to write a prescription or dispense a prescription drug outside a veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR).
A repeat prescription is a written prescription that can be used more than once. If your pet is on long term medication or preventative treatment, and is stable, your vet may be happy to provide you with a prescription that will last until your next check-up. This is usually between 3 – 6 months.
Can I get antibiotics for my dog without going to the vet? ›
Key takeaway. It's impossible to obtain dog antibiotics without a vet's prescription, and doing so is unsafe and illegal. Professional veterinary guidance is essential for accurate diagnosis, proper antibiotic selection, and your pet's overall well-being.
Does Amazon fill pet prescriptions? ›
Amazon Pet Health
Amazon doesn't offer prescription medications for pets—yet— but there are loads of other health-related pet products you can buy.
Do vets make money from Chewy? ›
Chewy, the ecommerce giant known for its convenient auto-ship services and generous customer service policies, has focused on building out its pharmacy, insurance and telehealth verticals while partnering with veterinarians to get a cut of their consumables revenues.
Is PetMeds a real website? ›
As a licensed pharmacy, we only dispense U.S. FDA/ EPA approved medications (the same exact medications sold by your veterinarian). We honor and exceed all manufacturers' guarantees. Our PetMeds® brand products are top notch.
How do you know if an online pet pharmacy is real? ›
Table of contents
- Check if they are accredited sellers.
- Beware.
- A company selling online. They should ALWAYS ask for a prescription. They should ask you for a log in. And they should make sure you have access to and read safety information.
- They should not give out veterinary advice.
- You might also be interested in:
The FDA has found companies that sell unapproved pet drugs and counterfeit pet products, that make fraudulent claims, that dispense prescription drugs without requiring a prescription, and that sell expired drugs. Only the prescriptions you buy from your vet are 100% guaranteed from the manufacturer.
Where is 1-800-PetMeds located? ›
If you have a written prescription please mail it to us at 420 S Congress Ave, Suite 100, Delray Beach, FL. 33445 or have your veterinarian fax it to us at 1-800-600-8285.
