Excessive grass eating

by Nancy
(Nova Scotia)

I have a female Pyr who eats a lot of grass (just of 1 type though). I gave her quality food, and she doesn't eat the grass so she can vomit. On walks, she will stop and actively search for her favorite blades of grass and "graze". Should I be concerned?

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Jul 09, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		Because they like!
by: Tressie

My foster Pyr also regularly munches on grass. The old wives tale/notion that is firmly ingrained in our culture is that they do it because of tummy upset and it makes them throw up. Turns out that is not the case. To date, there is only one scientifically conducted study that tested this hypothesis. The research was conducted at the University of California, Davis, by Karen Sueda, Benjamin Hart and Kelly Cliff and published in the journal Applied Animal Behavior Science* (2008). They had a huge sample, over 1500 dogs.

The researchers concluded that grass eating is a common behavior that usually occurs in normal dogs and is generally not associated with illness or dietary needs. They suggest that grass eating may reflect an innate predisposition inherited from dogs' wild ancestors. This is supported by research on droppings left by wolves. Such research finds evidence of grass in 11 to 47% of the stool samples studied. The thinking is that grass eating in these wild canines can help to purge intestinal parasites. The plant material passes through the intestinal tract and the fibrous matter increases the intestinal contractions and wraps around the worms. In this way the grass helps to purge the system of these potentially harmful parasites. Although most pet dogs are free of such worms the behaviour is a genetic throw back to the wolves they evolved from. Or - they simply like to munch on grass like some of us like to munch on lettuce ; )
Jul 09, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		Grass Eater
by: Donna

In my opinion, no concern is required.

I feed my Pyr raw diet and she still eats grass. My foster dogs and my own dogs have always eaten grass.

Here is some great information on dogs eating grass.

http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/going-green-chlorophyll-for-dogs/
Jul 09, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		same thing
by: Ed A from NJ

My female Buttercup has been doing the same thing for 13 years. She is healthy and happy. She seems to like the wide blade type only. I feed her a high rated no grain or corn kibble and 13 ounces of white meat chicken. My vet says she is in great shape and has no idea. She don't eat a lot of it but also stops on walks when she finds those wide long blades of grass. I will be watching you post to see of anyone has an idea.
Jul 09, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		eating grass
by: Nancy

My 6 yr old male has always eat grass. Never vomits it up. Just every once in a while he "grazes". But, every dog I've ever had has done the same thing. I wouldn't worry. I think people used to think it was either because the dog was sick or needed something to aid in digestion. I really don't know. My vet isn't concerned so I decided not to be concerned either. Hope this helps.
Jul 11, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		Thank you so much!
by: Nancy

Thank you so much for all your great comments. I adopted my Pyr when she was already 4yo and never had a Pyr before. I had her for about 8 months now. Since I never had dogs that were eating that much grass before, I was a bit concerned. I was even wondering at one point if she could be doing this out of habit since apparently, she was raised on a farm with sheep. I was wondering if it was a behavior she developed to "fit" in with the sheep while guarding them, LOL. Thanks all. I just discovered this forum and as I'm discovering the joy of having a Pyr, I might have more questions down the line!
Jul 11, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		Thanks a lot!
by: Nancy

Thanks a lot for your nice comments! I'm a 1st time owner of a Pyr and adopted her when she was already 4 yo. I never had dogs before that were eating so much grass so I was a bit concern! Thanks again!
Jul 11, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		Grass eating
by: Rochelle

I was getting very concerned that my male Malachi kept eating grass, also the thick blades, but thanks to all of your replies I am no longer concerned so thank you!
This site is very helpful!
Jul 17, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		digestion
by: Anonymous

It's kinda like humans and lettuce. Roughage
Sep 12, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		Pyr puppy eats flowers too
by: marcie

We adopted Snowy six months ago. He's nine months now. I have a huge flower garden ad he loves to sit between perennials and eat the flowers right off the plants. He especially loves black eyed susans. Loves grass too.

I put all the poisonous plants where he can't get to them so he is safe. He never gets sick. I thought it must be from when they left them out for weeks or months at a time when they were watching sheep in the mountains. I doubt they left dog food out there, so they must have relied on grass and flowers for food.

I had a Newfoundland before but never a Pyr. Love this dog. He is the best.

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