Eating Grass

[rossfox]

I'm sure this topic has been posted before, but I will post it new. OK, so my noodle nose is a very healthy and happy hound. He, however, has taken to eating grass. Not sure exactly how much, as each time we have caught him doing it, he had already started. We have not changed his food, and he has the same energy and personality as always. His poop is the same as before, so not seeing anything about him that looks worrisome. ???????????????????

[Hubcitypam]

Sometimes dogs will eat grass then throw up...but if he's showing no ill effects this time of year some dogs like a bit of fresh salad just like people.

[Time4ANap]

Keep a listen for stomach gurgles just in case he is having an issue, but if this is brand new grass chutes sprouting up, Rocket always thought those were like a salad. It's the only time he would nibble on grass, when the new spring chutes came up.

[greysmom]

When we still had grass, I often felt like I had a herd of sheep in the spring! They even found a way to graze with muzzles and stool guards on!

 

So it's probably ok - unless! - it's accompanied by loud stomach gurgles, vomiting, soft stools, not wanting to eat, or other signs of nausea. Then it's time for a vet visit as it could be a sign of something that needs figuring out and treating like parasites or digestive issues.

Edited March 19, 2019 by greysmom

[GreyTzu]

Some dogs like grass. Not a problem in my home.

[HeyRunDog]

Mine like grass too but she's very selective. It has to be new-ish shoots and over 4 inches long. She also has to sniff every blade of newly cut grass which makes walks a slow process in the grass cutting season

[rossfox]

Thanks for the advice. Yes the grass he is eating is fresh young grass that is just now growing. I see no signs of illness in any form. I wonder if he would like some ranch dressing to be sprinkled on?

[ramonaghan]

Sweep eats grass all year long, but the new spring growth is definitely her favorite. When her stomach is upset she is much more frantic about it and will pull the grass out in clumps rather than casually grazing.

[greysmom]

I wanted to add the following caveat - there are parasites that they can ingest from eating grass. A friend's dog was diagnosed with lung worms from eating grass that had small snails on it, and my own dog has a mite/nematode that comes from ingesting earthworms. So there are issues with grass eating.

[palmettobug]

Rich Skipworth calls it "Greyzing"

[HeyRunDog]

Rich Skipworth calls it "Greyzing"

 

Often accompanied by Sniffari (A short walk turned into a gruelling, interminable trek by a Greyhound intent on sniffing absolutely EVERYTHING)

 

If you haven't come across Rich Skipworth have a look at his Redbubble page https://www.redbubble.com/people/richskipworth

[krissy]

My dogs all love grass. They'll go outside and just graze in the spring/summer. They're so happy when the new grass starts growing after a long winter.

[Banjoman]

Mine will sometimes eat a lot of grass and later throw up the lot along with yellow bile but at the moment they are both just grazing as we walk along.