Grass!!!!!!

[queenie521]

Seems like I have a new problem/question every day........

My husband takes his grass clippings after moxing the lawn and uses it as fertilizer in our vegetable garden. Brinley loves to rung through the garden, which is no problem. However, she likes to eat thos grass clippings, even the ones that have already started to decay. I have tried, but can't get her to stop, when I pull her away she starts thinking it is a game and runs back. I wouldnt mind her eating it, if it didnt cause further problems. But as you would assume, it makes her poop more (more getting up in the middle of the night) and her poop is runny and green (sorry for the graphic). She actually pooped in her Kennel for the 2nd night in a row last night. She doesnt seem to be able to control her bowels as well when she eats the grass.

Does anyone have any suggestions......PLEASE!

If it makes a difference, she is an 11 week old pug/beagle.

 

[stand_watie]

FWIW, I've never had a dog that didn't eat grass. Usually followed by vomiting and loose stools. I had always assumed it was the natural way that they were programmed with to clean out their systems. I guess I don't have any advice accept to perhaps ease your mind that it's not unusual behavior.

p.s; unlike your dog though, mine have never been interested in grass clippings, but in the tallest, greenest bunch of grass in the yard.

p.p.s; imagine you sat down and ate a whole head of lettuce in sitting. Would it hurt you? No, it probably would be good for you. Would it make you uncomfortable for a few hours and affect your digestive tract? Most likely it would substantially.

 

[queenie521]

I know its not going to hurt Brinley. That is not what I am worried about. I just dont like the mess it makes and the fact that she is losing control in her crate at night even when her crate is right next to me and I take her out about twice at night.

 

[bubbatd]

Mine never ate clippings either . Can't he put them in a bin until they're mulch ?? I hope you don't use weed control or chemicals on your lawn.

 

[queenie521]

i dont think he does, but thats a good point....ill double check

 

[queenie521]

So I asked my husband and no he hasnt put anything on the lawn since a few weeks before getting the pup.

 

[bubbatd]

Whew !!

 

[Bailey+Ralph]

As Grammy said, can't they be put into a bin.....or in a sectioned off part of the Garden?

 

[queenie521]

Well If It Were Me, They Would, But He Likes To Use It In The Garden As An Organic Way To Prevent Weeds And Fertilize.

I Think When We Take Her Outside To Go Potty We Are Going To Start Putting Her On A Leash So She Cant Run Around And Play And We Can Keep An Eye On Her.

 

[ihartgonzo]

Could you put up temporary wire fencing around the garden to block it off? I can completely understand that you don't want her getting into the habit of making messes in her crate!

Honestly, my pup loves munching on grasses here and there, but he has never vomited since we've had him, or had diahrrea. Grass that is causing frequent, unneccessary stress on her digestive system should definitely be avoided. In case the habit or the affect of the grass could be based on her diet, is she eating a premium kibble and how is her poops/coat/eyes/health/appetite?

 

[Sheka]

maybe a cute lil fence around ur flower garden?

 

[queenie521]

Yesterday when I got home from work I decided to keep her on the retractable leash while in the back so she couldnt go in the garden. This helped. I told my husband to do the same but he seems to have a similar problem as the puppy and will not listen to me. We just today started mixing a new kibble into her diet. When we got her, she was eating Science Diet and we are slowly switching her to Iams Puppy. She seems pretty healthy otherwise, speaking for her poop/coat/eyes/appetite. We think she has a minor case of Kennel Cough. I called the vet and he said it was normal for pups to get a small case of it after the Bordatella shot......if it doesnt go away in a few more days, I will bring her back to see him.

As far as a fence around the garden. We have a mini picket fence around it (one of those that is about 1.5 feet tall. The problem is that she is so tiny she can fit through the pickets. If this continues, hubby might need to put some chicken wire around it as well.