Let him eat grass?
by Chris
ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
I've recently opened up my home to the most adorable Maltese puppy. I've named him Sidney and find this site invaluable in my quest to raise him properly. I have a problem, at least I think it's a problem, when I take Sidney outside to relieve himself. The area I take him to has a lawn and Sidney loves to graze on the grass while I wait for him to do his business. I've heard several people say that dogs cannot digest grass and advised me not to let him eat it. Another person told me grass settles a dogs stomach and said I should let him graze freely. What should I do?
DISCUSSION:
Normally dogs eat grass when they have an upset stomach. It makes them throw up and then they feel better. I also heard that they do that when they are missing vitamins in their diet, but I am not sure about this one.
Janine
I disagree. Puppies remind me so much of human babies. They put everything in their mouths. I would not let your puppy eat grass or anything else. Mine used to pick up rocks, acorns, pine bark, you name it. The grass will make them throw up as will some of these other things. Plus, some of the things are downright dangerous for them to eat. I don't know how many times I have had to pry open Noah's little jaws to remove something he should not eat. As your puppy matures, he will probably outgrow this . However, Noah still has a fetish for kleenex and paper napkins.
April B
hi chris - congrats on your puppy - i thought mine was the only one who did this. I have total of 4 malts distributed amongst the family and this Diesel is the ONLY one who LOVES grass. Since his first adventures outdoors - he loves to jump onto the grass, lay down and chew on it. It got so that he's jump from one patch of grass to the next - but would never do his business because he was too busy nibbling. It's hard to control - esp. when you're walking more than one at a time. I used to tug on the leash whenever he nuzzled into the grass - and eventually he got it - and advanced to running alongside me - but still managed to take a nip here and there (esp. the long grass that hangs over onto the sidewalk) He's now 1 year and 8 months and has pretty much outgrown this fetish. He still likes to nip at the grass but it's not an obsession for him anymore and yes, he does do his business as well (talk about creature of habit - he pees in the exact same spot everyday). In answer to the question about throwing up? I was told that as well by several sources, but he never threw up (at least not from the grass habit). He literally LOVED it and it made him so happy that it didn't bother me as long as he didn't make himself sick.
btd
My Maggie also eats grass. I have been told not to worry about it. I find she eats grass more, when I have forgotten to feed her a salad. She loves Salads. I will feel her one, and she won't eat grass for a while. I don't know if that has anything to do with it, but it works for me.
Jennifer & Maggie
I have a six year old dog that occasionally eats grass when he goes outside to potty and it makes him throw up, sometimes he gets dry heaves and nearly passes out while trying to upchuck, usually nothing is vomited except clear liquid and the grass pieces he ate. It sure makes him sick for a few minutes though. Why a dog would want to "toss cookies" on purpose, I'll never know.
sue
I was watching Animal Planet today and one of the Vet's that has a show on there got the same question from a viewer. He said that dogs eat grass because they like the taste, its sweet. He also said it wont make them sick and if you take a dog for a long walk in a park without access to water, they may eat the grass for the moisture it provides. Hope this helps :)
Sandy and Puff
Yes, puppies and dogs do like to put strange things in their mouths; however, grass is okay providing it hasn't been sprayed with herbicides, pesticides or fertilizers...or other harmful things. It actually is nature's way of helping their digestive problems. I 've always called it their "salads" as it offers lots of fiber.
anneh
We have two 9-year old Maltese babies and both have the wanting desire to eat grass. They usually "graze" when something's upset their "lifestyles" like moving, change in weather, you name it. There's a sense of relief and "peppiness" in their attitudes after eating grass and throwing up. Congratulations on your new "family member." You've chosen the most precious of breeds.
| Please bear in mind when reading topics pertaining to health issues, that most of these questions were answered by helpful Maltese owners with no formal education in veterinary medicine. When in doubt seek a professionals advise. |
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