Eating Grass And Dirt

[Pretty Miss Emma]

I know there have been threads on this before, but I can't find them!!! If you know where they are I'm more than happy for you to give me a link to read them.

But wondering what the cause is generally for dogs eating grass and dirt. Both mine love grass, I'm pretty convinced they just eat to fill up their tummies!! But I know that they will eat grass for other reasons, what are they? And also dirt. I know that it may indicate a nutrient deficiency, but which nutrients?

[dotdashdot]

not sure about the dirt, but my girls eat grass every day. It's like a treat for them, and they graze like cows (and being spotted, look like little fresian cows). I believe, being omnivores, it's just a part of their diet?

It rarely makes them throw up, it's more the danglies out the other end that I worry about...EW! :laugh: having to help my dog with a grassy poo dangly is so gross.

My girls are very selective, only fresh new shoots are acceptable, the type that sprouts along walls and fences.

[cavNrott]

I don't mind at all if my dogs eat grass. I do mind if they eat dirt.

[VizslaMomma]

I don't mind at all if my dogs eat grass. I do mind if they eat dirt.

And I hate it when puppy eats poo

[Pretty Miss Emma]

Oh I have no issue with them eating either. And yep my 2 are just like cows also!!! They have their favourite grazing patch which is where they run straight to when we first go outside!! It actually doesn't bother me if they eat dirt. And seeing as though everything about them seems healthy I'm not too concerned about it, just wanting to make sure that I shouldn't be concerned about it!!

[BC Crazy]

I also have 2 grazer's here as well. Both mine love grass as well. They have their favorite patches each day to stop at for a chop. They eat a lot & actually I too wonder why not that it bothers me PME. I'm watching this space :)

Edited July 26, 2014 by BC Crazy

[BC Crazy]

I don't mind at all if my dogs eat grass. I do mind if they eat dirt.

And I hate it when puppy eats poo

Same here VM YUK.... my girl still does it at any oppitunity but I don't give her any LOL

Edited July 26, 2014 by BC Crazy

[Tara8430]

I find dogs always eat grass, my old girl actually ate sand at one point....and ate dirt when she got sick towards the end and you couldnt stop her she seemed to be trying to make herself be sick. My old vert did say once it was cause they thought they are missing nutrients from their diet

[VizslaMomma]

I find dogs always eat grass, my old girl actually ate sand at one point....and ate dirt when she got sick towards the end and you couldnt stop her she seemed to be trying to make herself be sick. My old vert did say once it was cause they thought they are missing nutrients from their diet

Yes, I was told that years ago by my Grandmother.

She used to breed boxers and had great knowledge of animal husbandry.

Been reading recently about their little eating habits so now watch carefully.

Besides it stops my standing in it too.

[sas]

I think when we don't understand why a dog eats something we often come up with the old it's mission something in its diet. In reality, we don't know, we can't know because we can't ask them why they're doing it.

I know of a number of dogs that do it.

You could try a multi-canine vitamin supplement if you think it's that although if it's not doing your dog any harm and your dog is wormed regularly and generally healthy it may not be something to give a second thought to.

[Ivory & Beau]

Ivy has from time to time eaten sand and it makes her poo look sandy and a b**ch to pick up when she does it out in the street. Though only when the weather has been rainy and rain does make the soil leach more nutrients; I think? So maybe the dirt just tastes nice? Doesn't bother me, unless she did it frequently but she does it randomly.

[VizslaMomma]

I think when we don't understand why a dog eats something we often come up with the old it's mission something in its diet. In reality, we don't know, we can't know because we can't ask them why they're doing it.

I know of a number of dogs that do it.

You could try a multi-canine vitamin supplement if you think it's that although if it's not doing your dog any harm and your dog is wormed regularly and generally healthy it may not be something to give a second thought to.

I do get your pov.

This Vizsla is the 1st of all our dogs to do this.

He may well grow out of the habit. Our old boy is incontinent so his behaviour may be affecting that of the puppy.

[Stitch]

I have only ever found my dogs want to eat grass if their gut is upset in some way otherwise they don't touch it.

It seems like the gut only has to be mildly upset for them to want to eat grass.

[Scottsmum]

Scottie grazes. He even has a favourite patch which he lays down in to have a little chew.

[Pretty Miss Emma]

Ivy has from time to time eaten sand and it makes her poo look sandy and a b**ch to pick up when she does it out in the street. Though only when the weather has been rainy and rain does make the soil leach more nutrients; I think? So maybe the dirt just tastes nice? Doesn't bother me, unless she did it frequently but she does it randomly.

Maybe you've hit the nail on the head here. My lawn is somewhat water logged, so maybe it is just the water leaching out nutrients that is making it just taste yum! And yep, can definitely tell when they've eaten it as it comes out pretty similar to how it goes in!!!