HELP!!! Grass Eating OBSESSION... - YorkieTalk.com Forums

MinMuf1 · 05-04-2008, 09:03 AM

YorkieTalk Family...

I REALLY need some suggestions... My furbabies are house trained to use a doggie door during the day and a washable potty pad at night - Which remains untouched most nights. The problem that I am having is that one of my furry butts is OBSESSED with eating grass. So much so that I have spent a small fortune at the Veterinarian within the last two months trying to regulate her digestion tract and solidify her potty output(s). She has eaten so much at one point that she spent and entire day at the Veterinarian's office throwing up nothing but blood, stomach bile and grass. I am at wits end...I feed them all a fairly descent graded dog food, Dick Van Patten's Ultra Premium Dry Dog Food Small Bites with a spritz of salmon oil and Dick Van Patten's Turkey Formal Dog Food Rolls as a snack/treats. They also get a quarter tablet of Pet Tab vitamin mixed with cottage cheese every other day. I also make certain that the grass is cut extremely low to allow for their short legs to easily breeze around my back yard for both play and potty. And, I don't put down any type of weed deterrents or fertilizer either.

My question is does any one have any ideas, preferably holistic that won't harm my furbabies or kill off the grass entirely, on what I can do to deter this life threatening habit? I've already tried to force her to be a totally inside furbaby, but when she sees her Siblings bouncing around outside, she cried and howls. And, she won't put out any thing during walking on a leash. Also, in trying to keep them all as inside furbabies, during the day they hold their output(s) and sit by the doggie door for hours.

ALL suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!

MinMuf1 · 05-04-2008, 05:47 PM

No one has any suggestions...

KathyinCali · 05-04-2008, 06:05 PM

Wow, that's a tough one. Lucy would eat a yard if I let her so I watch her like a hawk...I hope others some on with some suggestions!

Mom to Hot Rod · 05-04-2008, 08:48 PM

I don't have an answer for you. Hot Rod just ate a bunch of grass today and threw up big time! So I am curious to find out too.

hotpod · 05-04-2008, 08:57 PM

you know when you find the answer to eating grass let me know, my puppy is doing it. 3 times she has vomited on me... and every time huge clumps of grass is all that comes out. anyway the reason why i REALLY posted was....you said your babies would sit by the door all day and not go inside??????? ok....did you feel that hell just froze over!!!!!!! i didnt know yorkies could be such little angels....you have to tell me your secret. ill get over the grass eating if he would just go outside only. lol but mine is still young and still training...but he is doing awesome with tinkle bells!!! but whats your secret??? hmmmmmmm? tell me tell me tell me!

MinMuf1 · 05-05-2008, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotpod

you know when you find the answer to eating grass let me know, my puppy is doing it. 3 times she has vomited on me... and every time huge clumps of grass is all that comes out. anyway the reason why i REALLY posted was....you said your babies would sit by the door all day and not go inside??????? ok....did you feel that hell just froze over!!!!!!! i didnt know yorkies could be such little angels....you have to tell me your secret. ill get over the grass eating if he would just go outside only. lol but mine is still young and still training...but he is doing awesome with tinkle bells!!! but whats your secret??? hmmmmmmm? tell me tell me tell me!

I really don't have a secret....BELIEVE me!!! I have had my share of accidents for sure. They sorta all just grew out of it. And, my doggie door is on the sunny side of my house. So, they kinda sun bathe while anxiously waiting to get out.

But, this one little furry butt of mine is driving me INSANE with her grass eating habit. I've even gone outside with her independently and the first thing she tries to do is snatch a mouth full of grass BEFORE relieving herself. I am about at the end of my ropes on this one... HELP!?!?!

mainegirl · 05-05-2008, 08:43 AM

I wish I could help. Mine eats grass, dead bugs, deer poop, sand, rocks...I swear I'm going to need to muzzle him. He also pooped 2 plastic red holly berries that has fallen off my wreath this winter.

Luckily he seems to have a cast iron stomach and hasn't gotten sick from it...yet. I have to constantly watch him and pry his mouth open, it's so frustrating. I wish I had an answer

MinMuf1 · 05-05-2008, 08:49 AM

Muzzle...

Hadn't thought about that one. But, I just may have to consider it. Do they even make them for such small mouths/faces???

mainegirl · 05-05-2008, 08:54 AM

They have soft fabric cat ones that I bet would fit if you feel you have to try that route.

RoxyJosMom · 05-06-2008, 07:14 AM

I've had that problem, too. Roxy is so bad, her poop will be green and STINKY(worse than normal). Mine don't throw up, tho. Maybe it's because they eat the roots and dirt, too. Remi eats everything he can get into his mouth. They are constantly dining out at the Cafe Litter Box. They are both Poop Conniseurs. I did ask the vet about it and he said some dogs will just plain graze like a cow. He said it was ok, but I guess it depends on how delicate their tummies are. Maybe keeping the grass cut as short as possible. I hope you find a solution.

MinMuf1 · 05-06-2008, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoxyJosMom

I've had that problem, too. Roxy is so bad, her poop will be green and STINKY(worse than normal). Mine don't throw up, tho. Maybe it's because they eat the roots and dirt, too. Remi eats everything he can get into his mouth. They are constantly dining out at the Cafe Litter Box. They are both Poop Conniseurs. I did ask the vet about it and he said some dogs will just plain graze like a cow. He said it was ok, but I guess it depends on how delicate their tummies are. Maybe keeping the grass cut as short as possible. I hope you find a solution.

"Poop Conniseurs"

OH MY GOODNESS... I haven't laughed so hard in quite a while!!!

Well, I'm SERIOUSLY considering the soft muzzle suggestion. But, only after consulting with both my Veterinarian and Obedience Trainers. Something has got to give...

RMKC · 05-06-2008, 08:22 AM

no help here either

mine eat grass then they throw it up

last time Rosi fell over she was Throwing up so hard, scared the daylight out of me !

peggato · 05-07-2008, 11:12 AM

Hi,

was reading your post and I am having the same trouble with my four month old Barclay. I don't have a fenced yard that he can run around in, so we go for walks three to four times a day. These walks are more races, he runs, pulls on the leash to get to the grass, dandelions, rocks, paper . . .anything that is within a spit second of his reach!!

I had him to the vet last week because he had so much pollen in his sytem he vomitted his complete breakfast and more. No parasites in his poop, just a bunch of pollen and a few sticks. . .devil I tell you, he's quicker than than the eye!!! Anyways, my vet suggested I get a muzzle as well. She said they have them at PetSmart and they will assist you in getting the right size for your baby! I currently found a temporary solution. . .I found a soft ball, just big enough for him to hold in his mouth. . .he only get's it when we go outside. So now he sits by the door when I say outside and waits for me to put the leash on and won't move until he sees the red ball and I put it in his mouth. From there we are off, it's a quick walk, enough to do his duties and see some neighbors, but not enough for him to get bored with the ball and get interested in the grass and other paraphenilia available to him. Once he drops it. . .we're back in the house playing with toys. Hope this helps, good luck. . .

MinMuf1 · 05-07-2008, 11:57 AM

Well, I received the word of approval from the Veterinarian today. And, tonight we're off to see the Obedience Trainer to show me how to properly enforce the no grass eating habit with the muzzle as a time out.

Hopefully, this will work...

05-04-2008, 09:03 AM	#1
MinMuf1 Peanut Gallery Mom Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 929	HELP!!! Grass Eating OBSESSION... YorkieTalk Family... I REALLY need some suggestions... My furbabies are house trained to use a doggie door during the day and a washable potty pad at night - Which remains untouched most nights. The problem that I am having is that one of my furry butts is OBSESSED with eating grass. So much so that I have spent a small fortune at the Veterinarian within the last two months trying to regulate her digestion tract and solidify her potty output(s). She has eaten so much at one point that she spent and entire day at the Veterinarian's office throwing up nothing but blood, stomach bile and grass. I am at wits end...I feed them all a fairly descent graded dog food, Dick Van Patten's Ultra Premium Dry Dog Food Small Bites with a spritz of salmon oil and Dick Van Patten's Turkey Formal Dog Food Rolls as a snack/treats. They also get a quarter tablet of Pet Tab vitamin mixed with cottage cheese every other day. I also make certain that the grass is cut extremely low to allow for their short legs to easily breeze around my back yard for both play and potty. And, I don't put down any type of weed deterrents or fertilizer either. My question is does any one have any ideas, preferably holistic that won't harm my furbabies or kill off the grass entirely, on what I can do to deter this life threatening habit? I've already tried to force her to be a totally inside furbaby, but when she sees her Siblings bouncing around outside, she cried and howls. And, she won't put out any thing during walking on a leash. Also, in trying to keep them all as inside furbabies, during the day they hold their output(s) and sit by the doggie door for hours. ALL suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!! __________________ Proud Mom to Muffin Cupcake Cocoa and Skittles

05-04-2008, 05:47 PM	#2
MinMuf1 Peanut Gallery Mom Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 929	No one has any suggestions... __________________ Proud Mom to Muffin Cupcake Cocoa and Skittles

05-04-2008, 06:05 PM	#3
KathyinCali Love My Li'l Lucy Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,564	Wow, that's a tough one. Lucy would eat a yard if I let her so I watch her like a hawk...I hope others some on with some suggestions! __________________ Kathy and Lil' Lucy Buster and Jammies Member of the Spoiled Rotten Club

05-04-2008, 08:48 PM	#4
Mom to Hot Rod Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: MD Posts: 1,859	I don't have an answer for you. Hot Rod just ate a bunch of grass today and threw up big time! So I am curious to find out too. __________________ Hot Rod Always in my Zoe Proud member of the CrAzYcLuB ......"The Little Gentlemen's Club"

05-05-2008, 08:43 AM	#7
mainegirl Donating YT Addict Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Maine Posts: 454 Blog Entries: 1	I wish I could help. Mine eats grass, dead bugs, deer poop, sand, rocks...I swear I'm going to need to muzzle him. He also pooped 2 plastic red holly berries that has fallen off my wreath this winter. Luckily he seems to have a cast iron stomach and hasn't gotten sick from it...yet. I have to constantly watch him and pry his mouth open, it's so frustrating. I wish I had an answer __________________ Member of the Little Gentleman's Club

05-04-2008, 08:57 PM	#5
hotpod Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Norman Posts: 154	you know when you find the answer to eating grass let me know, my puppy is doing it. 3 times she has vomited on me... and every time huge clumps of grass is all that comes out. anyway the reason why i REALLY posted was....you said your babies would sit by the door all day and not go inside??????? ok....did you feel that hell just froze over!!!!!!! i didnt know yorkies could be such little angels....you have to tell me your secret. ill get over the grass eating if he would just go outside only. lol but mine is still young and still training...but he is doing awesome with tinkle bells!!! but whats your secret??? hmmmmmmm? tell me tell me tell me!

05-05-2008, 08:49 AM	#8
MinMuf1 Peanut Gallery Mom Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 929	Muzzle... Hadn't thought about that one. But, I just may have to consider it. Do they even make them for such small mouths/faces??? __________________ Proud Mom to Muffin Cupcake Cocoa and Skittles

05-05-2008, 08:54 AM	#9
mainegirl Donating YT Addict Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Maine Posts: 454 Blog Entries: 1	They have soft fabric cat ones that I bet would fit if you feel you have to try that route. __________________ Member of the Little Gentleman's Club

05-06-2008, 07:14 AM	#10
RoxyJosMom Love The Verminator! Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: PA Posts: 3,770	I've had that problem, too. Roxy is so bad, her poop will be green and STINKY(worse than normal). Mine don't throw up, tho. Maybe it's because they eat the roots and dirt, too. Remi eats everything he can get into his mouth. They are constantly dining out at the Cafe Litter Box. They are both Poop Conniseurs. I did ask the vet about it and he said some dogs will just plain graze like a cow. He said it was ok, but I guess it depends on how delicate their tummies are. Maybe keeping the grass cut as short as possible. I hope you find a solution. __________________ Roxy loves Alphy Remi loves Millie ORDER YOUR YT COOKBOOK TODAY

05-06-2008, 08:22 AM	#12
RMKC Rosi & Poli's Mom Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Washington State Posts: 4,811	no help here either mine eat grass then they throw it up last time Rosi fell over she was Throwing up so hard, scared the daylight out of me ! __________________ ROSI & POLI Love my Babies

05-07-2008, 11:12 AM	#13
peggato Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Boston Posts: 32	Grass eating devils!! Hi, was reading your post and I am having the same trouble with my four month old Barclay. I don't have a fenced yard that he can run around in, so we go for walks three to four times a day. These walks are more races, he runs, pulls on the leash to get to the grass, dandelions, rocks, paper . . .anything that is within a spit second of his reach!! I had him to the vet last week because he had so much pollen in his sytem he vomitted his complete breakfast and more. No parasites in his poop, just a bunch of pollen and a few sticks. . .devil I tell you, he's quicker than than the eye!!! Anyways, my vet suggested I get a muzzle as well. She said they have them at PetSmart and they will assist you in getting the right size for your baby! I currently found a temporary solution. . .I found a soft ball, just big enough for him to hold in his mouth. . .he only get's it when we go outside. So now he sits by the door when I say outside and waits for me to put the leash on and won't move until he sees the red ball and I put it in his mouth. From there we are off, it's a quick walk, enough to do his duties and see some neighbors, but not enough for him to get bored with the ball and get interested in the grass and other paraphenilia available to him. Once he drops it. . .we're back in the house playing with toys. Hope this helps, good luck. . .

05-07-2008, 11:57 AM	#14
MinMuf1 Peanut Gallery Mom Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 929	Well, I received the word of approval from the Veterinarian today. And, tonight we're off to see the Obedience Trainer to show me how to properly enforce the no grass eating habit with the muzzle as a time out. Hopefully, this will work... __________________ Proud Mom to Muffin Cupcake Cocoa and Skittles