Why Has My 9 Year Old Cocker Started Eating Earth ?
by Jude
He also has a large muscle mass just above both hips. Is this normal? Reply from Pauline (Web Owner) If your dog is licking earth, it could be a symptom of an underlying illness or he could simply be bored. My recommendation would be to have your cocker checked over by the vet - just to be on the safe side. Have you changed his diet recently? Your cocker spaniel could be licking soil because he has a mineral deficiency. I've also read that anemic dogs will lick or eat soil. Is he just licking the soil, or is he eating it? Eating soil is a lot more serious as it can cause dehydration and/or an intestinal blockage. Could that be what you describe as 'muscle mass'? If he's eating soil, you'll need to be extra vigilant for worms and stay up to date with his worming treatments. Are you sure your dog is licking earth, and not licking or eating animal faeces? Coprophagia in dogs may be fairly common, more so in young puppies, but it's not very pleasant! There are many reasons why dogs eat poop and understanding this is part of the cure. If you think your dog may be eating poop, you can read more about coporphagia here. In any case, I recommend you let your vet have a look at your pet - he or she will be able to confirm your dog's health and may be able to tell you exactly why your dog's eating soil. Please come back to this forum and let us know what the outcome is. If there are any visitors out there with experience of a similar situation, why not join in and give us the benefit of your advice? Cocker Spaniel Questions And Answers Return to About Cocker Spaniels - Homepage
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