Why do dogs eat dirt?

Dog sitting in the dirt

Dogs (and people, too) sometimes obsessively eat non-food items, such as dirt, clay, sand, or rocks. The technical term for this is pica. It can be related to a medical problem, such as an intestinal disorder, anemia (low red blood cell count), lead poisoning, or a vitamin or mineral deficiency (particularly iron deficiency). In addition, [...]

Why do dogs lick their paws?

Why do dogs lick their paws?

There are many reasons why a dog might lick its paws, both behavioral and medical. Allergies are a common cause. Dogs can be allergic to anything that humans are: trees, grasses, pollens, molds, diet, food additives, etc. Allergies to things in the environment often will cause itchiness of the face, feet and belly. Allergens can [...]