Does anyone else have dogs that treat the lawn as a major part of their diet? Cory and Jayden graze in our yard like a couple of sheep! If Jayden pulls up a particularly nice plug of grass, he takes it over to the patio and divides it up for the two of them to share. They don't eat grass in order to throw up like other dogs we've had. They eat it like a salad. Needless to say, it is NOT doing our back yard lawn much good. They have completely stripped the grass away from around a couple of trees back there. I wish they'd at least eat the weeds because now we're afraid to put out weed killer.
Pat
My 2 eat grass, but not in the amounts your speaking of.
Could it be that they need vitamins more than there are getting in their food?
My 2 eat grass, but not in the amounts your speaking of.
Could it be that they need vitamins more than there are getting in their food?
I'm not sure. I give them a mixture of Nutra Lamb and Rice and Wellness dry food twice a day. Once a day I sprinkle Missing Link supplement on their dog food. Periodically I give them plain yogurt and/or pumpkin. The snacks they get are the Mother Hubbard bones, Wellness bars with yogurt, apples, banana, or I toss a handful of Cheerios on the kitchen floor for them to share. I'm at a loss as to what else I might add.
Pat
Tillo eats grass as well. Especially during our walk in the morning before breakfast. He doesn't throw up after eating it.
Some time ago I read an artikle about it.. don't know exactly what it said (I can look it up if you like) but I believe the main point was: they don't know why dogs eat grass..
Tayda and Lenny will eat grass occasionally - but i think its more to vomit when they aren't feeling well. Tayda has been known to eat dirt also…
Shaye eats grass once in a while - if it's a windy day, she eats the parts that are blowing in the wind, but I think that's more a matter of "catching" it than eating it. She doesn't vomit from it - but I try to stop her in any event in case it's not a healthy kind of grass/weed she's into.
@Shaye's:
but I think that's more a matter of "catching" it than eating it.
this sounds really cute!
this sounds really cute!
She is cute when she's doing that. Apart from her outings to do the necessaries, I take her for a couple of walks just to play around in the fields next to us - on those occasions I let her search and run (as far as her leash will let her) and pounce on stuff. Since I cannot walk very far, she has to have a few of these a day to burn up some energy. No rules when we are out doing that, except don't eat bugs or moss.:eek:
Well, lots of folks have opinions on dog food, but my 2 b's don't do well with lamb.
I am not saying your b has issues, but my 2 b's don't thrive on lamb.
Chicken and rice works for me.
Mine eat grass too, usually on walks. Especially fresh spring greens, we call it 'salad' too. They will sometimes eat it to throw up, but mostly just to enjoy it.
Mine don't usually eat grass that is still in the ground, but they LOVE to eat what is left behind the lawn mower, esp. after it's dried out a bit.
I have no idea what the fascination is there.
I have read that eating grass may be something of an "instinct" to dogs. When they used to kill and eat rabbits, birds, and such… they would eat the contents inside of their prey also. This gave the meat a wild, grassy taste and maybe that is what is lacking from the modern-day dog diet. NOT something easily replaced!!!
Have you noticed, (because I am wondering) do they take their time and chew it thoroughly when eating grass as a snack? I bet they do... that is why they don't throw up!
Most dogs (like Bella) will scarf grass down in a mad, hurried pace without hardly even chewing when they are sick. I don't know if the intention is to cause vomiting to occur, but think about all that grass (blades intact) tickling the insides of their esophagus and stomach!!! That would be enough to make me vomit!:p
All of my dogs, including the new puppy, have eaten grass regularly, but not the lawn usually. They chew on the long grass (that I should have trimmed) along the edge of the fence and the ornamental grass in the garden. To me it looks more like something just to chew rather than something they are really eating for food. They just eat small quantities and spit out most of it. Sometimes that is the first thing they'll do is go to the edge of the fence and chew on grass. It's weird.
When my 2 aren't eating grass to vomit (usually ETS) they are eating, IMO, to supplement their diet with what their body says it needs. Greens.
When this happens I cook a large pot of broccoli and add it to their diet over a 3-4 day period. This stops the grass plug eating (sometimes a slice of cheese on the broccoli encourages them to eat "their greens")
Are they eating the dirt? That's a different problem.
Cory and Jayden seem to eat the grass just because they like the grass. They also nibble on my border grass. On the few occasions that they have vomited, it hasn't been from eating grass. I guess they just like a little salad. Maybe I should plant parsley around my trees and see how it helps their breath. 
Maybe I'll add some regular vegetables to their diet and see if they give up grass eating. Doe the broccoli make them gassy?? I sure don't need that!
Pat
Yes, broccoli will make them gassy depending how much you give them…. BUT mine has always loved it... that and Cauliflower too
Mine would pick out a particular "weed" that was growing to use as a "barfing" tool.... we used to have one bush (I have no idea what it was) that my Mickii used all the time.. we called it the "barfing bush"....
And when Kristii had a blockage... she was trying to eat grass like there was no tomorrow.... and would immediately barf it up....
I am confused, I thought broccoli was not good for dogs to eat…
I am confused, I thought broccoli was not good for dogs to eat…
It is fine for dogs to eat… mine eat it from as early that they are eating solid food.... not sure where you might have heard that. It does give them gas... depending on the amount but it is really good for them... mine have always loved it... raw or steamed
But I have never found that it prevents them from eating grass... because with mine it didn't... but usually mine will only eat grass if they are wanting/needing to barf.... that said, all of mine have had access to the backyard lawns... mostly 24/7 unless crated....
I read somewhere online that broccoli is thought to be bad for dogs only if it exceeds 10% of their diet and might be fatal if it exceeds 25% of their diet. But that would be a lot of broccoli.
Pat
I read somewhere online that broccoli is thought to be bad for dogs only if it exceeds 10% of their diet and might be fatal if it exceeds 25% of their diet. But that would be a lot of broccoli.
Pat
I have never heard/read that.. but your right… that would be a lot of broccoli.....
