Eating grass

HugosMom · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 8:34 am Post subject: Eating grass

Hello everyone, new person here. Smile

Last night my weim started eating grass like it was going out of style. He threw up about 5-6 times. The first few times, I could see it was his dinner that wasn't chewed. I know they do this when they aren't feeling well, but it still worried me. I know there is a risk of bloat in this breed. Is there anything I can do to keep him from not scarfing down his food in all of two seconds? Should I be feeding him twice/day instead of once?

Currently I feed him dry food (Organix) with fresh cooked shredded chicken breast, and a few pieces of sweet potatoes.

Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

LunaBrown · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 8:46 am Post subject:

I would recommend feeding twice a day - I feed at 6am right when I get up, so there is plenty of time to digest before hubby leaves for work, and again at 6pm after everyone has calmed down a little bit when I get home from work.

There are a couple ways you can slow eating down - put something large in the bowl - a can, or a ball, etc. or get a bowl like the brake-fast bowl (http://www.brake-fast.net). I have that bowl and it does wonders for slowing her down.

peppernaei · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 10:25 am Post subject:

Welcome!

My guys are grass eaters. Marvin always brings it back up while Zaphod never does. Needless to say I keep it in check.

I would feed twice a day and we put the toys in the bowl to slow him down when he was a fast eater. For some reason he's slowed down and even leaves a few kibbles behind now Smile

Wrench · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 2:45 pm Post subject:

Sudden unusual grass eating isn't good...people always think " oh Wrench has a stomach ache" when they see him eat grass but he loves it and has since day one...he has NEVER thrown up from it ( in fact he's only throw up twice since we've had him since Easter) ...he just really loves playing with it, chewing on it...pulling those pieces that are more like vines/weeds and go on forever.....I always say I got me a horse=) hehe

mjacobs · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 9:53 pm Post subject:

Wiley likes grass to. Also, we don't have any dandelions in our yard either cause he eats those flowers and all.

Weimwayz · Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 2:23 pm Post subject:

Grass is a natural purgative (makes them vomit) if they have an upset tummy they will eat it. Most throw it back up because it is not digested. I know ours have guts of steel and they usually poop it out. When we go running in the bush they will eat the tall green grasses to absorb the water from it until we reach the river.

There is no harm in them eating but but it can be a mess when it comes back up!!!

We too feed 2 times daily 6am and 6pm. Our guys do wonderful on kibble so we haven't changed them to anything else. Until there is a problem we wills tick with what seems to be working!

versatilek9s · Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 3:32 pm Post subject:

Mine also enjoy eating an occasional grass meal. I used to get freaked out by it, but now that they all do it I'm over it. Occasional puking is kind of a weim thing.

Definitely feed twice a day...most dogs seem to get more nauseous (IMO) when they go long periods without eating.

anne · Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 4:03 pm Post subject:

Mine especially like spring/summer grass to much on.

Welches · Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 4:20 pm Post subject:

Yeah, all mine eat grass all the time. Even my yorkie. They're like goats. Fresh grass to them is like us getting summer vegetables - sometimes they just like the taste and it doesn't always mean they get sick. If I had a few more dogs my husband wouldn't have to mow the grass! Smile

Definitely feed 2 meals a day. It's good for their metabolism to have their food spread out throughout the day.

We feed California Natural kibble in the morning with yogurt. In the afternoon the pet sitter gives them snacks of usually vegetables or frozen broth or peanut butter. Then they either get kibble with green beans in the evening, or we will not feed kibble and give them chicken breast and brown rice, along with any other "dog approved" leftovers we have (veggie mash, etc.)