Insights From Zoopharmacognosy
If you’ve ever noticed your animal nibbling on dirt or clay, you might have wondered why they do this. At first glance, it seems like a puzzling, even unhealthy behaviour.
However, from the study of how animals self-medicate (zoopharmacognosy) using natural substances – eating dirt, known as geophagia, serve an important purpose in maintaining health and addressing nutritional deficiencies. Animals, and even humans, have long turned to soil for its medicinal and nutritional benefits.
The Top 3 Reasons Your Animal Friend Might Be Eating Dirt
1. Digestive Aid & Detoxification
One of the most common reasons animals eat dirt is for its ability to aid digestion and detoxify the body. Clays such as bentonite, kaolin, and green clay have long been used for their medicinal properties. These clays can act as natural antidiarrheal agents and are even active ingredients in certain over-the-counter medicines. For example, bentonite clay is known for its absorptive qualities, allowing it to bind toxins, pathogens, and parasites in the stomach. By ingesting small amounts of these clays, animals can protect their digestive systems from harmful substances, promoting overall gut health.
2. Nutrient Supplementation & Deficiencies
Another common reason animals eat dirt is to obtain essential nutrients that might be missing from their diets. Soils in different regions contain varying levels of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, and copper—all of which are crucial for bodily functions. For instance, pregnant animals might turn to soil to meet their elevated mineral needs during gestation, like how some pregnant women experience cravings for soil or clay. This craving could be a natural response to the body’s increased demand for certain minerals, particularly iron and calcium, which are critical for foetal development. By eating mineral-rich soils, animals can supplement deficiencies in their diet, ensuring better reproductive health and higher chances of survival.
Humans and animals alike cannot synthesise vitamin B12, an essential vitamin responsible for brain and nerve function as well as red blood cell formation. In the wild, animals may consume soil to access bacteria that naturally produce B12, which would otherwise be absent from their diets. This behaviour, particularly in herbivores or animals with limited access to animal-based foods, could be a way to obtain this vital nutrient.
3. Parasite Control
Animals in the wild are constantly exposed to parasites. Soil consumption is a natural strategy for combatting these infections. Clay minerals can bind to and eliminate intestinal parasites, reducing their ability to wreak havoc on the host’s body. Researchers believe that soil may act as a protective barrier, helping animals to combat parasitic infections or prevent toxins from being absorbed into the bloodstream. Certain types of clay even appear to have antimicrobial properties, further bolstering an animal’s immune defences.
For guidance on how to keep your animals free from parasites naturally check out my article Conquering Canine Worms: A Natural Approach
What Are The Risks Of Eating Dirt?
While dirt consumption can offer health benefits, it isn’t without risks. Soil contaminated with harmful substances like animal or human faeces can expose animals (and humans) to dangerous parasites such as helminths, whose eggs can survive in the soil for years, leading to infections. Moreover, tetanus and heavy metal poisoning, particularly lead and zinc, are also concerns when animals regularly consume contaminated soil.
For wild animals, these risks are balanced by the benefits of nutrient supplementation and self-medication. However, in modern environments, it’s crucial to consider the potential risks of ingesting soil that may have been exposed to pollutants or toxins, so it’s important that we give our domesticated animals access to clean dirt, so they can receive the benefits without the risks!
How To Provide Animals With Clean Dirt
Effective Ways To Ensure Your Pets Have Access To Safe, Clean Dirt
In the garden/on walks –
- Utilise organic potting soil in your garden, and allow your animal to dig, roll, sniff, or nibble freely. Ensure the soil is certified organic and free from pesticides, synthetic fertilisers, and other harmful chemicals.
- Create a controlled mud bath with organic soil and water. Many dogs love rolling in mud, making it a fun way for them to enjoy the benefits of dirt in a safe environment. Be sure to use untreated organic soil and rinse your pet off afterwards with clean water to eliminate excess dirt from their fur.
- Some animals may enjoy sniffing or digging in compost. If you have a compost pile made from organic materials, you can let them explore it while supervising. Ensure the compost consists of untreated organic matter and does not include harmful items like coffee grounds, onions, or chocolate remnants.
- Take your animal for walks in natural settings such as woodlands, parks, or meadows where the soil is relatively undisturbed. Look for areas with minimal pollution and away from heavily trafficked locations. Allow them to sniff and explore these environments, giving them the chance to instinctively find spots to roll or dig in clean dirt.
As a supplement for self-selection –
- Offer Soil-Based Probiotics, which are derived from healthy soils and specially formulated for gut health with beneficial bacteria and microorganisms.
- Offering unwashed organic vegetables is another way to introduce them to natural soil microbes. The dirt clinging to organic produce is usually rich in soil-based organisms that promote a healthy microbiome.
- Offer Fulvic and humic acids, which are organic compounds found in soil that help with nutrient absorption and detoxification. These minerals mimic the benefits of deep, mineral-rich soil and support cellular health.
- Offering edible clay, such as bentonite, green and kaolin clay, is a great way to offer the benefits of clean dirt. These clays can detoxify the body, support digestion, and help with skin conditions like itching. Always ensure that the clay is food-grade and safe for pets.
- Offer Effective Microorganism (EM) products, which are fermented mixtures of beneficial bacteria, fungi, and other microbes, that can help restore your animal’s microbiome. These products can be used as a soil additive, supplement, or spray and help mimic the benefits of natural dirt. EM1 is my preferred option that can be given as a probiotic supplement or used to enrich soil in your yard or garden for your animal to play in.
Top Tips
- Stay away from dirt in heavily treated lawns, roadside areas, or places near industrial zones where toxins might be present.
- If you’re sourcing soil from an unfamiliar place, consider getting it tested for contaminants like heavy metals or pesticides.
- Monitor your animal’s health if they have been in contact with soil from unknown areas, as some dirt may contain parasites or harmful bacteria.
By providing clean dirt, either through organic soil, probiotics, or edible clay, you’re not only enhancing your animal’s health but also allowing them to reconnect with nature’s benefits.
Embrace the dirt – it’s a natural & necessary part of life!
Main – Photo by Andreas Schnabl
