UKC Forums - Why do dogs eat grass?

Show all 23 posts from this thread on one page

UKC Forums (http://forums.ukcdogs.com/index.php)
- UKC Coonhounds (http://forums.ukcdogs.com/forumdisplay.php?forumid=4)
-- Why do dogs eat grass? (http://forums.ukcdogs.com/showthread.php?threadid=350856)

Posted by Cleo on 04-30-2010 05:36 PM:

Why do dogs eat grass?

I am so funny about what I feed my dogs but it seems this years spring time has brought some fine tasting grass to my yard or something!

What am I missing in the feed? They get natural and kibble~any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

__________________
BROKEN ROAD KENNEL
Breeding for the future of the Treeing Walker
"God bless the Broken Road"
~A man is only as good as his word~

Proud home to;

'PR' Kentucky River Fly Again (Kentucky River Rowdy frozen semen)
ACHA CHT x3 Broken Roads Little Texas (Kentucky River Rowdy x Houses Lipper's Hope)
CH Broken Roads Southern Stylish Boom (Kentucky River Rowdy x Houses Lipper's Hope)
Broken Road's Rowdy Lil Miss (Kentucky River Rowdy x Houses Lipper's Hope)
Broken Road's Meabie I will (Lipper's Rooster x Missy)
Broken Roads IMA Boomer2 (UKC NATL GRCH GRNTCH Honest Abe x Broken Roads Southern Stylish Boom
~~~~~Watch out!~~~~~
They just might make an IMPACT!

and the girls...Punkin and Tater!

Gone by never forgotten ~ Fly high my beautiful angels
~ GRCH GNTCH PKC SC Toucan Sam
~CH Toucan's Ugly Betty
~ CCH CH Southforks September Rain
~ Martin's Daisy JJ (what a beautiful litter you left behind)
~ Luke, the lab who brought us so many doves and ducks over the years
~ UKC GRCH,ACHA CH 2014 LWCH 2014 2 x's ACHA YOUTH WCH AKC CH AKC CH 'PR' Kentucky River Mundar ~ (Kentucky River Rowdy frozen semen) DNA Profiled ~ Fly high, old friend.

"The WILL of God will never take you where the GRACE of God can not protect you!"

Posted by Phil Vogel on 04-30-2010 05:39 PM:

eating grass

Maybe a little Holstein in the woodpile! lol! Some vets say it must taste good to the dog, others say that they might be missing something in their diet, Who really knows? What does it hurt?

__________________
Salt Fork Blueticks
Phil Vogel
17040 Hunter Ave
Marshall, Mo 65340
660-815-2043

Posted by Cleo on 04-30-2010 05:43 PM:

I have heard the same things. They are sure'nuff grazing in the back yard this year.....

~~then again, they also eat rabbit poop.....just sayin'.....~~

Posted by Bluedogman on 04-30-2010 05:48 PM:

I think they eat grass when their tummy is not feeling just right. It's a natural thing. Mine do it.

__________________
Johnny Williams

Posted by OLE on 04-30-2010 05:49 PM:

i always was told it is to make them throw up if they have a stumike ake

Posted by EerieEyes on 04-30-2010 06:02 PM:

they will do it to settle a stomach, but they also really like fresh spring grass. they'll graze all spring and never puke...

__________________
Katie Swales

GRCH FCH CA CCH 'PR' Jebb's Bayou Rage
2010 & 2015 World Qualified

GRCH 'PR' Hannas Creek Liz

'PR' Midnight Brindle Bombshell

GRCH CCH 'PR' Skyplott Teddy Bearhug (May 2004 - March 2014)

Posted by Cleo on 04-30-2010 06:08 PM:

Mine never puke. They are very slow at chewing it as well. I think I will give them some broccoli or green beans and see what they do. They already get carrots as treats....maybe they joined Doxie Weight Watchers or something?

Posted by branch505 on 04-30-2010 06:12 PM:

iodine deficiency

Posted by Cleo on 04-30-2010 06:13 PM:

I didn't know grass has iodine in it. Could be....Thanks!

Posted by on 04-30-2010 06:34 PM:

grass

They get heartburn. I give them 1 or 2 flavored tums or rolaids with calcium. They will usually chow them down. They dont like the unflavored ones

Posted by kevin k on 04-30-2010 06:45 PM:

GRASS

JUST GOT BACK FROM TAKING MY DOG TO THE VET ON FRIDAY AND ASKED HER THE SAME QUESTION , SHE SAID DOGS ARE STARTING TO GET A SORE THROAT , I ASSUME IT WOULD BE FROM TREEING ALOT AND BARKING ALOT , THAT WOULD MAKE SENSE TO ME

Posted by on 04-30-2010 06:50 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by OLE
i always was told it is to make them throw up if they have a stumike ake

Or maybe eating it gives them the stomach. I use to think that wearing a hat would make you go bald because all the men I saw with them where bald. Then I figured out they were wearing the hat because they were bald already.

Posted by DEE POWELL on 04-30-2010 07:00 PM:

GRASS EATERS

I HAVE AN OLDER MALE THAT ALWAYS HAS DONE IT AND HE EATS GOOD FOOD AND WORMED EVERY 90 DAYS SO YOU GOT ME; BUT IF YOU'LL GIVE THEM 2 NICE SIZE TABLESPOONS OF COTTAGE CHEESE WITH THERE REGULAR FOOD A DAY BEFORE YOU TAKE THEM OUT THEY WON'T EAT GRASS. OLD HUNTER TOLD ME THIS YEARS AGO AND IT WORKS.

DEE POWELL

Posted by Cleo on 04-30-2010 07:03 PM:

Dee~

I mix cottage cheese in all my dogs feed every morning. Weird.

I took her to the vet this week for allergies.....sore throat ? maybe close! She's on an antihistamine ~spell~? Maybe it a combination

Posted by willseeyalater on 04-30-2010 07:40 PM:

Fresh green grass is loaded up with minerals that they want. I think they can smell it, maybe like if you smell a bottle of vitamins when you open it. Anyone who has horses or cows knows that they will get into a fresh patch of grass or hay before they are used to it they founder on it. The large dose of nitrogen and protein tastes good but they can't handle all of it.
Dogs eat enough of it to puke but they get some of the minerals they want. You never see it cause them harm but if they toss their salad in the house no one asks "Would you please pass the croutons?' Then mama ain't happy.

Posted by Bluedogman on 05-01-2010 01:58 PM:

Mine do throw up after eating grass. If they didn't aready have a sore throat I'm sure they do after that. I guess the only ones that know why is the dog and they ain't telling!

__________________
Johnny Williams

Posted by Dale Young on 05-01-2010 03:34 PM:

I think dogs just eat things, maybe it does some good and maybe it don't. Doesn't seem to hurt them but they do throw it up usually or even poop it out in some cases. Often wondered if eating to much of it caused them to throw up or if they get to much long stringy stuff in thier throat and gag on it. Either way it's one of the few things thats free anymore.

Posted by Cleo on 05-01-2010 07:40 PM:

Never looked at it like that!

Some people wonder why I like collards too.....oh well.

Posted by TicksAlwaysSlik on 05-01-2010 09:01 PM:

my dogs ate grass since she ws a pup, never threw it up or nuthin. idk why she does it, she must like it cuz shell eat it year round when ever i let her out to run in the yard its what she does. ive always fed her good food too so like i said they must just like grass.

__________________
Dusk Till Dawn Walkers

Posted by Virgil on 05-01-2010 11:00 PM:

I have heard that they eat the grass as a way of replacing beneficial bacteria in their stomachs and intestines.

__________________
Golden Woods Bo
Golden Woods Fancy B

Posted by cartwright on 05-01-2010 11:55 PM:

From the mouth of a vet....

Examiner Bio Pet Care 101- Why does my dog eat grass?
July 15, 2:29 AMPet Care ExaminerPatrick MahaneyPrevious

Cardiff hides in, but does not eat, the "mondo" grassWhy does my dog eat grass? This is a common question I face in my clinical practice. It is normal for a dog to eat grass and they may do so for a variety of reasons. Each possibility must be considered when a dog has developed a fondness for forage consumption on a particular occasion. Here are several possibilities.

Induction of Emesis- Some dogs eat grass because they seek a substrate to mechanically irritate their stomach lining leading to induction of emesis (vomiting). Plant material is highly composed of insoluble fiber and is not readily digestible. Grass, along with other non-digestible material, tends to accumulate in the stomach instead of following the peristaltic movement from the stomach into the small intestine. When a particular degree of inflammation is achieved post-grass consumption, a dog will then vomit. Underlying illness, such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), gastrointestinal parasite infestation, metabolic disease (kidney, liver, pancreas, etc), or Pica (see below) can stimulate the physiologic urge to vomit, therefore grass may be consumed to facilitate vomiting.??

Dietary Deficiency- Veterinary behaviorists and nutritionists speculate that dogs may eat grass to compensate a nutritional deficiency. Some owners achieve success in deterring their dog�s grass grazing by adding fresh, green, and/or fibrous vegetables or fruits to the diets. I have seen good responses when owners add pineapple, spinach, broccoli, or parsley. Vegetables are most palatable and digestible when steamed and pureed or finely chopped before being added to the dog�s diet.??

Biological/ancestral Influence- Grass eating is a behavior manifested by both wolves and the domesticated dog (Canis familiaris). An article from the Journal of Veterinary Behavior in March 2009 suggests that a nursing mother�s grass eating traits can influence similar behavior in her puppies.

Behavioral Correlation- Some dogs eat grass due to lack stimulation while being confined to a particular environment, such as a back yard. Consequently, the dog seeks stimulation by eating various objects in the environment. This condition, termed Pica, is an abnormal desire to consume non-nutritive material. Pica can lead to more severe secondary consequences, such as vomiting, diarrhea, and intestinal obstruction or perforation. This behavior can potentially be reduced by providing the dog with appropriate chew toys, companionship, or a cage-style muzzle.??

As a dog owner, I dissuade my dog from consuming grass. The occasions where he has eaten grass are very rare. I theorize that it is because his diet is partially composed of fresh, steamed, green vegetables. Additionally, he gets plenty of stimulating activity and is not confined in an area where boredom may lead to foraging. As a veterinarian, I have seen many dogs exhibit significant gastrointestinal upset after consuming grass. Grass eating can also lead to inadvertent ingestion of toxins or other unhealthy environmental debris, therefore, I recommend owners take appropriate measures to prevent grass consumption.

For other articles on pet health care topics see Patrick's Examiner Homepage

Thank you for reading my article. If you would like an email with a link to future articles sent to you, please press the "subscribe" button to the right of my photo. Dr. PM

__________________
"PROUD SPONSOR OF BREAST CANCER AWEARNESS"

"Tell the truth the first time and you won't have to remember what you said!!!"

"25 years and still breeding coonhound to coonhound. Our goal is to bred yesteryears hound back into today's hounds"

"Remember the next time you go hunting take a child"

HOME OF THE RED WHITE AND BLUES

Please visit our website at the following link..

http://plainenglishkennel.weebly.com/ [/url]

E-mail us...
plainenglishjr@yahoo.com

PLAIN ENGLISH KENNEL EST. 1989

Join us on Facebook click on link below

https://m.facebook.com/plainenglish.kennel

HOME OF OUR VERY OWN

UKC 'PR' PLAIN ENGLISH'S MADDY GEES OL' BLU

UKC 'PR' PLAIN ENGLISH'S MADDY GEES SUE

Our Co-Owned Hounds

UKC 'PR' Given's Plain English Lil' Blue w/Chad Given

AND REMEMBER "KEEP'EM ENGLISH"

*Proud Member of UEB&FA, SEA, BRAXTON CO.CHA, Mud River Coon Club Inc. Pocahontas Nicholas CHA*
Junior Cartwright (304) 575-4495 cell

We Use And Recommend BLAZER & TRI-TRONICS NIGHT RAZOR LIGHTS, TRI-TRONICS, OLT SQUALLERS, INNOTEK & GARMIN 320 TRACKING SYSTEMS & PURINA DOG FEED, MUCK BOOTS DAN CHAPS

OUR RED FERN GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN CHAMPIONS ARE AS FOLLOWS...

R.I.P. UKC NITECH PKC 'PR' PLAIN ENGLISH'S HARDTIME HANK 5/10/04 - 6/23/14

R.I.P. UKC GRCH NITECH & AKC CGCH RANSOM'S BAM 7/23/05 - 01/06/14

R.I.P.2011-2013 PERFORMANCE SIRE
UKC NITECH GRCH PKC,AKC 'PR' MADDY GEES ROOFUS W/1-win towards GRAND!!! 8/21/2006-12/31/2012

R.I.P. UKC NKC AKC (TRIPLE) NITE CH CH 'PR' HAFA ADAI GIN "GINGER"

R.I.P. UKC CH 'PR' HALL'S BIG WHEEL

R.I.P. UKC NITE CH 'PR' DARK MTN CRANKIN' ROCK

R.I.P. UKC NITECH AKC 'PR' HARD WOOD PEPPER

R.I.P. CH 'PR' DARK HOLLOW TREE SLAMIN' BETTY

R.I.P. UKC GRCH PKC,AKC 'PR' WELL KEPT SECRET

R.I.P. UKC CH 'PR' MAGNIFICENT MAGGIE

R.I.P UKC GRNITECH 'PR' BROWNS GAULEY RIVER DAN

"THEY ARE IN OUR THOUGHT'S AT EVERY TREE"

Posted by john nannemann on 05-02-2010 01:51 AM:

bifidous regularus. just like in that yogurt jamie lee curtis is hawking on t.v.

or maybe their just hungry for grass.

Posted by akso235 on 05-02-2010 02:51 AM:

give them a can of green beans from grocery and they will stop eating grass.

All times are GMT. The time now is 01:33 AM.

Show all 23 posts from this thread on one page