If dogs frequently eat dirt and soil, there are many possible causes. It may be due to a lack of nutrients, an illness or a behavioural disorder. 

One cause is a lack of certain nutrients. The dog's body causes it to engage in the unnatural behaviour of eating dirt in order to compensate for the possible lack of minerals. If a dog is fed dry and wet food from recognised manufacturers, this is unlikely to be the cause.

Certain diseases such as hypothyroidism or disorders of the liver, kidneys or central nervous system can cause dogs to eat soil.

If a vet can rule out pathological causes, the underlying cause is a behavioural disorder. Nervousness or boredom often lead to such behavioural disorders in dogs. Similar behavioural disorders include excessive licking or paw nibbling.

If a dog eats small amounts of dirt, this is not tragic, but it becomes a health hazard if it eats large amounts of dirt all the time. The soil can damage the teeth and attack the stomach walls, resulting in serious digestive problems. In addition, the soil can contain toxins.

First of all, blood tests must be carried out by a vet to determine whether there is a disease that may need to be treated. If this is not the case, the dog should be relieved of its boredom and distracted from its disruptive behaviour. In serious cases, the dog should receive behavioural therapy.