Why Do Dogs Eat Grass?

[JardinPrayer]

My little old MinPin had an upset stomach a few days ago. Since then, he's been voraciously eating grass when I walk him. I mean, he goes for it like it's an emergency or something. He hasn't vomited afterward, like I expected.

Then today, something odd was added to this behavior. The new puppy plays with a sisal cat scratch toy I have. It looks like this (http://www.petsalley.com/fish-shaped.asp). It's got a rope for hanging on a door, but I leave it on the floor. Benjamin loves it because he can grab the rope and drag it around in circles and hear the beads rattle inside. Buddy (the MinPin) hasn't showed a lick of interest in it...until tonight.

I was preparing dinner and I heard this weird noise coming from Buddy in the living room. I found he had bitten the hanging rope in 3 pieces and was chewing on one end and gagging at the same time. I pulled it out of his mouth and, thankfully, it didn't seem to have been far down his throat. I did see a tiny bit of blood tinging on the end, though. He immediately started hacking and I took him outside where he went for the grass like he usually does. I didn't think this would help the situation, so I shooed him back inside where he immediately coughed up the grass and a 2-inch piece of sisal.

What the heck is up with this? Is it jealousy over the pup or is he sick?

I'm especially looking for Crow's input here.

Thanks!

[Nicholas]

I think it has something to do with a craving for nutrients and chemicals that they're not getting in their diet.

Also, dogs tend to be omnivorous, for examle, our dogs absolutely love carrots and rice.

[Crow]

There are about 50 dozen reasons a dog will eat grass.

If it's stomach is upset, a dog will eat grass to vomit out whatever is disturbing it's stomach.

If a dog is constipated, it will eat grass to increase the roughage which moves things along.

If a dog has worms, it will sometimes eat grass to rid it of some of the worms.

Dogs are omnivores, as Nicholas pointed out. I had a hound that could tear up some sweet corn, peaches, strawberries, cherry tomatoes, and watermelon. He loved when there was salad left over.

Some dogs like to eat grass, it must taste good to them. Most cats are the same way.

If the dog is eating a rope, he might have pica. That's a disorder where dogs eat really bizarre things because they are nuts. Or he might be a really energetic chewer, and want to get rid of some tension.

In short, there is no short answer to why a dog eats grass. If there is a little blood when he vomited, it's probably from the abrasiveness of chewing the sissal, which leads us to yet another reason dogs eat grass. It cleans their teeth and gums.

The cheapest and best fix to try here would probably be to give Little Buddy something good to chew when he's in the house and let him eat grass (within reason) when he's outside. Eating rope suggests that he wants to get his teeth clean or needs an outlet for his energy, and a cheapie rawhide bone should tell you if that's the problem or not. Wouldn't hurt to get the pup one too. They love to chew and it's good to give them something that is OK so that they don't set in on the shoes or furniture.

[JardinPrayer]

He showed no interest in chewing until the pup showed up . We got Benj a Kong...the smallest one they make...and filled it with peanut butter. Benj could not have cared less about it, but Little Buddy was happy to swipe it out of his crate, eat the peanut butter and then adopt it as a chew toy. Now, they share it (ewwww!). I got some of those rawhide chew bones, but Buddy only wanted his to have something to possess and deprive Benj of.

So, I'm guessing his stomach is upset since he vomited last week and that's when the grass eating started. And, I'm further guessing his stomach is upset because there is a new kid on the block.

[Crow]

Could be.

If it's jealousy, it should settle down after a bit. And it sure doesn't sound like something to worry much about unless he tears up stuff you don't want ruined.

[Nicholas]

He showed no interest in chewing until the pup showed up . We got Benj a Kong...the smallest one they make...and filled it with peanut butter. Benj could not have cared less about it, but Little Buddy was happy to swipe it out of his crate, eat the peanut butter and then adopt it as a chew toy. Now, they share it (ewwww!). I got some of those rawhide chew bones, but Buddy only wanted his to have something to possess and deprive Benj of.

So, I'm guessing his stomach is upset since he vomited last week and that's when the grass eating started. And, I'm further guessing his stomach is upset because there is a new kid on the block.

As to the possessive aspect, I think that's probably normal. I'm guessing that it's a combination of needing to feel secure and wanting to show what's his. Our dogs do similar things as well, our big (and very anxious) dog will sometimes hog the food dishes, even if there are multiple ones set out for all of them to eat from. Just based on my experience, I'd say that you should try to include both of them in activities at the same time whenever possible, that way they'll get used to having to share attention.

Also, I would v ery much recomend going to your library and trying to find a general book on dogs and their health, just as a reference.

[JardinPrayer]

Thanks, Nicholas. Buddy sits right beside Benj when we do training and comes out on all walks. I've got a couple of books on hand...and there is always the INTERNET (whoa!). I just like tossing ideas around here, too.

Benjamin has decided his favorite toy is a stack of newspapers and magazines under my coffee table. They were relegated there because they were out of date, but not quite old enough to throw away, so that's fine with me. Of course, it makes a mess of the family room on a daily basis. I don't let him eat the paper and immediately police up the little pieces. But, he can have 3 or 4 rubber chew toys right next to him and choose the paper instead. Our previous Lab loved to rip paper, as well. Where in nature does that come from, I wonder?! I'll have a great pic for you in a minute (have to resize it), but in the meantime, here's what I'm talking about. Note the presence of rubber chew toys between his front paws.

Kids.

[JardinPrayer]

Here's the awesome pic...awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!

Now, check this forum for my wacky, totally non-serious thread (coming soon...)