grass/weed eater

[hhoffarth]

My girl is obsessed with eating weeds and grass, and I don't know how to make her stop. I will try to play fetch, and she will go to the ball but then eat some grass/weeds and forget about the ball. She has been eating so much that she throws up. Last night it was the worst it has ever been. As soon as she would throw up she would go right to the grass and eat which then would make her throw up again. She was almost panicking that we wouldn't let her ourside because we knew she just wanted the grass, and wouldn't go to the bathroom. She rings the bell to go outside, but just does it to eat stuff! What can I do to make her stop eating so much?

 

[lucasmum]

Sorry, don't have an answer for you, but my boy does this too, although it doesn't make him sick. He does exactly the same, goes to get the ball and gets distracted by grass etc. My last boy used to suffer from colitis and the grass eating was usually the first sign of a bout. I'll be interested to see any replies. Good luck

 

[gary766]

I know when Astro eats grass he usually throws up soon after and there is a bit of toy or paper or whatever he may have got ahold of. It seems he only does this when his tummy is upset and needs to vomit.

 

[ELubas]

In my experience, obsessive grass eating is a sign of an upset tummy.. if it is regular, have you considered changing the diet? With my boy, it helped alot to put one tablespoon of either yogurt, or lowfat cottage cheese in his kibble. That setteld his tummy right down and the grass eating stopped within days. I gradually weaned off the supplement and now grass eating only happens when he gets into something he shouldnt and upsets his system again. This worked for me, may be worth a try?

I agree. Usually signals an upset stomch, and perhaps something missing in the diet. I would try the cottage cheese. What do you feed your pup? Might make a difference to look at that. Both my dogs will do this , though, if they are trying to get up something they have eaten that is bothering them. Hope you get to the bottom of it

 

[dottydever]

I don't totally agree with the tummy upset for dogs eating grass. Occasionally, mine just seem to GRAZE on grass for no apparent reason. Sometimes when the tummy is upset, the eat grass to vomit, but other times, I swear they look like cows just grazing!

 

[hanksmyboy]

Grazing

Hank is the same way - At first I assumed that something was wrong and tried to figure out what it was. Now I laugh and say he is part cow!

 

[trc4941]

Rocco & Dino both love grass. Every once in a while they throw up after, but I don't think they eat it because of stomach problems. When they do their "Boxer Burns" they try to grab mouthfuls as they tear around in a circle.

 

[Ianatch]

Yeah, I have the same problem with my two boxers and grazing. My oldest boy, Murphy, learned this from my mom's Boston. He's been doing it ever since he noticed her. Now I can't get him to stop. He never gets sick from eating too much, but I just don't know why he does it. We recently adopted another boxer, a female name Maya and she JUST started grazing as of 2 wks ago. We have had her for about 2 months and this just started. They never get sick from it, but it's just annoying. They forget about playing and just eat grass.
They are both fed raw- beef, turkey necks, chicken, sweet potato, brown rice, yogurt, some eggs, occasional fruits.

I'd love to figure out a way to get them to stop- I feel like I have two calves in my backyard.

 

[hhoffarth]

I have been trying to figure out what food I should switch to.... I have a limited selection..blue buffalo, Soild Gold, natural balance,- I think those are the few good ones I have noticed (I could order online i suppose)......Right now I feed Nutro Max (which I don't think she likes anymore) and natural choice.
Any suggestions?