Bitch eating mud

[bill88 6]

Have noticed my terrier bitch eating mud.She's been doing it since coming out of season (about 6 week's) Is she lacking something in her diet ? She will pick up a mouthfull of dried mud,and then crunch it like a bone and swallow it.None of the other dog's do it,and there all on the same diet (BARF).Majority of the diet is chicken wings, breast of lamb,and whole grain rice,with a bit of carrot and or green cabbage.Twice a week i feed them either ox heart or ox liver.The bitch is 11 months old and looks and acts like a strong fit dog.Never been one for giving supplements to my dog's,apart from cod liver oil.

Edited August 9, 2007 by bill88

[bill88 6]

Any idea's ?

[skycat 6,174]

I usually notice little pups doing it: a sort of eat anything they can find when they first start exploring. Not had older pups do it.

 

But........I do find that post season bitches want to eat and eat and eat: presumably to lay down those all important fat supplies they would need if they were wild pregnant females preparing to nest and lay up with their young without eating for a couple of weeks after the birth.

 

However, eating mud does suggest a mineral defficiency: try getting her some nice smelly green unwashed tripe (if possible!) That might sort her out as there's loads of vits. and mins. in that. Or failing that give her some SA37 supplement.

[swanseajack 228]

I wouldn't worry about it to much as long as the bitch looks healthy enough, I see hounds doing all the time espeically when out hunting, when we're calling them back in, they just dig little holes and eat mud, dirt etc...

[Guest curtislj]

Its nothing to worry about.Some of hounds do it in the morning when I walk out

[Guest MOLLY]

My bitch eats rotten wood at the rivers edge, by the mouthfull if i dont stop her!

MOLL.