The Dirty Truth: Is It Actually Unsafe to Let Dogs Roll Around in Mud?

Some dogs simply love to roll in the dirt. It almost seems like they get a smile on their face as they do their best summertime version of a snow angel (except mud does not melt off, unfortunately).

“Dogs rolling in the mud and dirt is a natural behavior,” says veterinarian Dr. Kevin Przybylski medical director at MedVet Dayton in Dayton, Ohio. “I don’t know if I fully understand why dogs do it. To a certain extent, wildlife rolls in mud.” They seem to enjoy the deep back scratch from a good writhe, or they might be getting energy out due to boredom.

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While these instincts aren’t wrong or bad, pet parents should be cautious of the potential parasites, bacteria, and fungus that also favor dirt and mud. The dirty facts are never easy to stomach, but let’s get into it.

What’s in the dirt — other than soil?

The top concern among veterinarians is Leptospira bacteria. Commonly spread through rodents, skunks, raccoons, and foxes, Leptospira can lead to leptospirosis, which causes kidney and/or liver damage that could even lead to failure of these organs. This is a serious and sometimes fatal disease, especially for dogs who have not been vaccinated against it. 

Dr. Przybylski also advises to watch out for standing water, puddles, and old ponds, where Leptospira thrive. He estimates that his ER treats about six to 10 cases per year, and he notes that this bacteria can pass to humans through urine.

In the Midwest, Blastomyces is a common fungus in soil that sometimes causes a skin infection but most commonly leads to fungal pneumonia. Side effects begin with loss of appetite and weight loss. Eventually, the infection progresses and could cause breathing problems, which would require hospitalization and antifungal drugs. “We do not like those cases because they don’t always survive,” he says. His ER sees up to 10 cases of blastomycosis per year. 

Parasites such as fleas, ticks, and mites can thrive in damp, warm mud, which can also house intestinal worm eggs. Dirt, mud, or grass treated with pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or fertilizers can also cause skin irritation. If ingested, this can also lead to gastrointestinal (GI) upset or even poisoning, adds Dr. Jessica Apted, head of medicine at Sploot Veterinary.

Bacteria is also a concern, specifically E. coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacter, especially if animal poop is present. If a dog licks themselves after exposure, they can become sick with a GI illness.

How should you prevent these health concerns? 

First off, Dr. Apted recommends dog parents supervise their pups or keep them leashed if needed and make sure their dog’s parasite preventatives are up to date. Dogs can also bring these parasites and bacteria into the house if not washed promptly, Dr. Apted says. 

Pet parents who opt to give their pups unsupervised yard time should clean the yard regularly, use dog-friendly fertilizers or other yard treatments, and ensure wildlife won’t be tempted to hop the fence for food or uncovered trash. 

Public places that could be safe include fenced dog parks with good sanitation practices, or a clean, sun-warmed beach. Dr. Apted says these locations are less likely to have wildlife waste, stagnant water, pathogenic bacteria, and parasites.

How do I keep my dog from rolling in dirt? 

“Even though rolling in the dirt or mud is normal canine behavior, there are plenty of ways to keep your pup safe,” Dr. Apted says. 

Supervised outdoor time will help people know if their dog is rolling in dirt; keeping them leashed is also a good idea. Dr. Apted recommends training dogs with cues, such as “leave it,” to help divert attention to another, more preferred behavior. 

For dogs who have an established habit of rolling to their heart’s content, positive reinforcement is a way to improve recall before the rolling starts. When the dog starts to roll, simply tell them “no,” and immediately give them a treat or favorite toy, along with a verbal reward like “good dog.” Alternatives, such as toys, games, or agility, training helps engage them in another way and divert attention, Dr. Apted says. 

Dr. Przybylski adds that scolding a dog for rolling in dirt or mud isn’t going to work. “The dog doesn’t understand it’s wrong,” he says, reiterating the importance of positive reinforcement.

If you have a habitual roller, you could build them a sand pit with clean play sand or a doggie ball pit. “A quick note about this, though: When offering these alternatives, keep an eye on your dog to ensure they’re engaging with the toys safely and appropriately,” Dr. Apted says.

What if they’ve already rolled in dirt? 

Shannon Jewitt has a Pit Bull / Rat Terrier mix, Beulah, whose favorite pastimes include rolling “over the smelliest thing she can find, usually dead animals,” Jewitt says. She always has dog wipes available to handle cleanup after general rolling, “but if it’s visibly gross, and there’s a lot of it, a bath is in order.”

If they’ve already given into their urge to roll, Dr. Apted advises that people promptly rinse their dog off and bathe them using a gentle dog shampoo, being sure to thoroughly dry them off.

Dr. Przybylski emphasizes that you should fully dry off your dog if they come inside with wet fur. Moisture can easily get trapped in the dog’s undercoat, especially on their belly or neck, and “opportunistic bacteria” thrive. This causes irritation and infection called a hot spot. He sees hundreds of these cases through the emergency room in Dayton every year, which he says can be very painful... and smelly. Treatment includes sedating the dog, shaving the affected area, cleaning and drying, then prescribing antibiotics. “It can be a little bit more work than I think owners are ready for,” he says.

While a bath is preferred, Dr. Przybylski also cautions that too-frequent bathing can dry out a dog’s skin, which leads to itching and often infection. With a weekly or twice weekly bath, he hasn’t seen any issues in his patients.

Ultimately, dogs rolling in dirt or mud is far from a serious health risk. “This is a normal behavior,” Dr. Przybylski says. “Absolutely be educated and do your due diligence with a proper bath and drying off after. But we are not sending a message that mud kills dogs.”