Why Do Dogs Eat Tree Bark?

If there's one thing that dogs aren't known for, it's finicky eating. For the most part, a dog will eat anything in sight, including tree bark, and it usually has nothing to do with hunger.

  1. Behavior

    • Dogs sometimes eat odd things like bark out of boredom. Not only do dogs need fresh air and exercise, they need companionship and play, as well. If the dog has grown accustomed to eating the bark off a particular tree in the yard, he may need some retraining to get him to stop.

    Considerations

    • Eating the bark off of trees is usually a behavior issue. Still, it is always a good idea to have your dog checked by your vet to rule out any underlying medical issues that may be causing the behavior.

    Warning

    • The bark on some trees may be highly toxic to dogs. Eating the bark of an avocado tree, for example, can cause excessive drooling and severe gastrointestinal distress for dogs.