Dog eating compost

[Meg]

My two 13 year old border collie bitches have taken to eating the compost out of my pot plants to the extent they sometimes make themselves sick. They're well fed, usually Chum, a Pedigree Joint Care chew stick and meat and veg scraps daily. Does anybody have any idea 1) why they are doing this and 2) how to stop it? Thanks.

[lankeela]

I would be very wary of letting them eat any form of compost, particularly if it has any sort of cocoa bean mulch in it as this is toxic to dogs. Also anything with coffee grounds or hops, which are often used to make compost.

Could be a vitamin/mineral deficiency, but if they have made it to thirteen they can't be lacking in much! Probably something in it that tastes nice, so beware.

[Meg]

Thanks Lankeela, I think I shall have to get rid of the pots if this carries on!

[carmalee]

my experience of collies is that they are manic and obsessive (I say this in a good way with decades of ownership and experience) they may have just 'latched on' to a behavioural reaction which you are not aware of. have you changed anything at all? particularly to do with your plants? have you supplemented the soil - lots of additives contain goodies attractive to dogs. try moving the pot pants out of reach - also, as dogs get older certain requirements alter but it's strange that both of your dogs react - suggest its something in the compost.

[Meg]

Hi Carmalee, thanks for the reply.I 've also had Border Collies for over 40 years but never had this problem before. Nothing has changed, same plants, same compost. I suppose it's just a new way for the girls to amuse themselves. I think I'll top the pots up with top soil and see what happens. That might not be as palatable!!

[thugulike]

I've had mastiffs and rotties and they've all, except George my present mastiff, taken compost from my compst bin. I make my own and it's fruit and veg peelings, egg shells, leaves and grass cuttings. They haven't seemed to be able to help themselves. I cover it up with an old carpet now. I' ve never had compost taken from a pot plant though. Try covering the compost with large pebbles.

[chas2008]

i have had a couple of goldens over the years and they both make a dive for any nice fresh horse poo when i take them in the fields ...YUK!!
worrying thing is they seemed to enjoy it....

[thelewisgang]

just to add, my westie/yorkie cross eats rabbit droppings as if there is no tomorrow. we have lots of wild rabbits nearby on the riverbank & were concerned about this so asked our vet. he put our mind at rest by saying as long as he is properly wormed regularly if would pose no problem him eating eat. said dogs were attracted to it for its fibre content. yuk

[Meg]

Thanks for the answers, thugulike, the large pebble idea is a good one, thanks!! They also eat poo, especially rabbit cr@p, but they've being doing that for years.