Here’s your daily dose of doggy goodness!

Every day, we celebrate our shared love of dogs and hopefully brighten your day. Enjoy!

Dog of the Day: Meet Coton!

Meme of the day:

Why Do Dogs Eat Dirt?

While not the most appetizing habit, dirt-eating (geophagia) in dogs is relatively common and can have various underlying causes.

Nutritional Deficiencies: Dogs may eat dirt to compensate for lacking minerals or vitamins in their diet, such as iron or zinc. [1] If your dog's food isn't providing complete nutrition, they might instinctively seek these nutrients elsewhere.

Gastrointestinal Issues: Similar to grass-eating, consuming dirt may be a way for dogs to soothe an upset stomach or try to induce vomiting to expel something that's causing discomfort. [2]

Behavioral Factors: Boredom, anxiety, or attention-seeking behaviors can also manifest as dirt-eating. Puppies, in particular, often explore the world through their mouths. [3]

Underlying Medical Conditions: In some cases, persistent dirt-eating can indicate a more serious medical condition like anemia, inflammatory bowel disease, or even cognitive decline. [4]

Pica: If your dog is excessively eating dirt and other non-food items, it could be a sign of pica, which may be linked to medical or behavioral issues.

If you're concerned about your dog's dirt-eating, consult your veterinarian. They can help rule out any underlying health problems and advise on dietary adjustments or behavioral interventions.

References:

[1] Houpt, K. A. (2018). Domestic animal behavior for veterinarians and animal scientists. John Wiley & Sons. [2] Landsberg, G. M., Hunthausen, W., & Ackerman, L. (2013). Behavior problems of the dog and cat. Elsevier Health Sciences. [3] Overall, K. L. (2013). Manual of clinical behavioral medicine for dogs and cats. Elsevier Health Sciences. [4] Crowell-Davis, S. L., & Murray, T. (2006). Veterinary psychopharmacology. Blackwell Publishing.

Family photo of the day: Fozzie Bear and Stevie!

Make Your Pup Famous!

We want to share your pup. Email us your favorite doggy pic or video with your pup’s name, and we'll try to feature it as a family photos in one of our upcoming newsletters or on our Facebook page.

Share our newsletter with your friends!

We’ll donate on your behalf!

🐶 Refer 10 people: we will donate a box of treats to an animal rescue 🐶

🐕️ Refer 50 people: we will donate a bag of dog food to an animal rescue 🐕️

🛏️ Refer 100 people: we will donate a dog bed to an animal rescue 🛏️

You currently have 0 referrals, only 2 away from receiving Dog Safety Guide.

Sources:

Dog of the day: IG coton_anngko

Meme of the day: IG whenashmetbowser