grass anyone???

[thornbirdskkk]

What is up with eating grass?? My 12 year old yellow lab Scrappy was outside the other day eating tons of grass!! I would not let him the house until he threw up which he did within a matter of minutes. I have never seen so much grass come out of a dog's digestive tract. Why do that do that?

[Crystal]

I've heard they do it when there stomach is upset, but I'm not sure. Toby tends to nibble on it often. He prefers dandelions though.

[xavierandrea]

I heard it to make them through up.

[leahluvsherpups]

I have been part of many topics regarding dogs and cats eating grass. The upset stomach, throw up thing is a myth.
Dogs, as do humans, need ruffage. My dogs adore grass and have always eaten it. They have never gotten ill as a result. Heck, even pet stores sell grass for cats and dogs.

Here they are grazing on fresh cut from a week ago.

[thornbirdskkk]

My dogs throw up everytime they ingest grass. My husband keeps telling me that he saw on a dog show that they feed on grass because they have an upset stomach, it's normal. I just can't believe that. It almost chokes him when he throws it up.

[DogPaddle]

There are times when I feel like I am walking a cow. They eat the grass as they walk along sometimes - its a constant grazing walk. Mine usually don't throw it up though. I have to be very careful about pesticided lawns.

[Guest Anonymous]

Well maybe it's a pesticide or fertilizer that makes them throw up. But if it weren't, it would help.
My cats have always done it without a problem.
Kiani on the other hand would rather dig it up.

[DogPaddle]

Ah yes the cats, now my cats go out, eat grass, wait 3 1/2 minutes, puke twice, then roll in the dirt somewhere else, lounge in the sun for an hour and then come in off their leash - regular as clockwork. Weird - especially the always puking twice thing.

[behle]

My boys both like a good salad bar! They don't throw up, just gack a little up once in a while. I think it tickles their throat when it doesn't go all the way down. :roll:

[Sharpeigirl]

Sassy is a grazer! She loves to munch on the veggie garden.. :roll:

[Canis erectus]

Zoey's a grazer too, she puts goats to shame.

I have a funny little story from when we first got Zoey. We'd only had her for a couple weeks when Hannah and I made a trip out to Pope Valley to visit her aunt of the weekend. At the time her aunt had an old blind horse and a nasty little black pony who were both allowed to roam during the day. After we got there and Zoey greeted everyone she started getting comfortable with her surroundings and began to wander away from my side. She eventually found her way over to the pony (can't seem to remember it's name, Shamrock maybe?), and they both stood there side by side grazing away at the fresh greens. It was quite funny to see, and I even got a pretty good photo of it. As soon as I find the photo I'll post it.

[thornbirdskkk]

I guess it's normal then, so I will let him continue. I will just make sure he throws it up before I let him in the house. It only takes him about 5 minutes before it comes back up! My chocolate lab, Chubbs is starting to do it also, he doesn't eat as much, and doesn't throw it up. I don't have fertilizer on it, so I hoping its safe for them. Thanks everyone!

[imported_Kat]

Actually the reason why they throw it up is because they can't digest the cellulose. They lack a cellulase or symbiotic (helping) bacteria to break down the grass therefore the gut says that its foreign and causes the stomach to contract and the dog to boke it up.

[DogPaddle]

Interesting, question though, why don't my boys throw it up?

[ESSlover]

Mocha never threw up after eating grass either. *shrugs*

[Guest Anonymous]

Dogs eat grass to replace nutrients they dont get from regular dog foods. If your dog throws up it is most likely only because it is not a regular part of thier diet. Try starting to add some cabbage to your dogs meal.

[thornbirdskkk]

Cabbage??? Really??? Will that give them gas??

[Guest Anonymous]

lol, it can but once they get used to it being in their system youll be okay.

[thornbirdskkk]

Thanks, I will do that tonight. Will lettuce work as well?

[Guest Anonymous]

Im sure lettuce would be okay. Ive just always used cabbage. My dogs get cabbage and carrots (as well as garlic) in every meal.

[thornbirdskkk]

I give my dogs brewers yeast and garlic pills everyday. I know a police officer and he told me that is what they give their dogs to prevent fleas and ticks, and I must say it works very well for me. Is there a secret to getting them to eat the cabbage?

[Guest Anonymous]

I use brewers yeast as well. I am a firm believer in garlic. It the cheapest and most effective way for me to keep the fleas away. (That and the Guineas.)
I mix the cabbage in with so much other stuff they really dont have a choice. I really dont think youll have a problem but if you do... maybe try mixing it with tuna, or the oil or water from a can of tuna.

[thornbirdskkk]

Thanks so much for all you info.. I will let you know how it works!!

[Horsefeathers!]

Hmmm... you have Guinea hens?? I would really love to have them once we live somewhere else. I've known them to be a better watch dog than a... watch dog. You can't sneak into a yard that has Guinea hens without them letting someone know. :o

Anyway, they help control fleas? :o

[Guest Anonymous]

Those little things will eat any kind of bug the come in contact with. I used to use 7 dust but started to worry about it blowing into the dogs water/food. I lost a couple of em, because of their own stupidity but for the most part they are easy to take care of! (a few of em got a little too close to the dogs.)

edited to add: Sure TB! Hope it works for you!