Why does my yorkie eat grass

In fact, the majority of dogs eat grass without showing symptoms of stomach upset either before or after eating grass. This seems to indicate that it's unlikely that dogs eat grass to induce vomiting.

So, why do they do it? Just like people, dogs require fiber in their diets in order to have an efficiently functioning digestive system. After all, dogs are omnivores. Which means that good health relies on plant foods as well as high quality meat.

Eating grass may be an easy, and seemingly tasty way for dogs to add roughage to their diet, helping to keep things flowing through their gastrointestinal tract GI or digestive tract. That said, if your dog is eating grass but also showing signs of stomach discomfort, there may be a medical problem.

Dogs can suffer from a number of GI issues including gastric reflux, pancreatitis, and inflammatory bowel disease. If your dog is eating grass, and has other symptoms such as lack of appetite, decreased energy, diarrhea, or constipation, it's time to see your vet. If your dog has eaten any of these things you should consult your vet immediately. They will most likely need to do tests and run diagnostic images to see how bad the problem is.

Ok, so this one is definitely the one that causes the biggest gag reflex! Especially when you unknowingly let your pup give you a big fat kiss then get a whiff of that awful nasty poop breath yes this has actually happened to me! If your dog routinely eats feces it is called Coprophagia.

It becomes problematic for your pup when your dog eats poop from another animal that has intestinal parasites or other illnesses. This makes it almost certain that your dog will get them as well. If you notice that your dog has a habit of poop eating then you should be sure to have them on some good worming preventative as well as talk to your vet about any other problems this may have caused.

Other concerns including bees and wasps like the ground digger wasp that stays close to the grass, as well as red ants and other stinging insects. Interference with nutritional intake — If a Yorkie eats grass and it stays down, there are very little nutrients that would actually be absorbed from it since canines cannot digest it. Though, it will fill the stomach, making a dog feel full and thereby interfering with their regular appetite for meals and healthy snacks.

Cuteness break! Brooklyn, at 4 years old, photo courtesy of Geovanna Brown. Why Yorkies Eat Grass The question concerning why dogs eat grass has long been in debate. Several recent studies have shot down what used to be the one of the most common explanations: that dogs eat grass to purposely induce vomiting. But, we now know that this is not the case. So, why do some Yorkshire Terriers gobble up grass? It is due to one or more of the following reasons:. Hunger with or without nutritional deficiency.

The drive behind that hunger may be linked to a nutritional deficiency which itself can be due to a subpar diet but can, in some cases, be due to a health issue. This is because what keeps a dog full and satisfied until the next meal is the amount and type of nutrients from that food that is absorbed by the body. Fillers are inexpensive ingredients with little to no nutritional value meant to add bulk.

Examples of fillers include corn also seen as corn bran, corn gluten, corn cellulose, or corn starch , cereal by-products, soy, hulls cottonseed, soybean, peanut, rice, etc. In essence, while it will appear that your Yorkie is eating, for example, a half cup of food, your little one may only be receiving nutrients from one-forth cup.

Another aspect is that even without the presence of fillers, kibble may be lacking essential nutrients. Canines require a balance of protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats, as well as a wide-range of vitamins and minerals including vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C, D, E, K, beta-carotene, biotin, calcium, folic acid, phosphorous, magnesium, and omegas 3, 6, and 9. If a kibble is lacking this, a dog may look elsewhere to meet their needs. Tapeworms are the most common culprit for this, though this may also be seen to a lesser degree with hookworms and whipworms.

Lola, at 4 years old, photo courtesy of Brenda Pantoja. Compulsive habit. What causes a dog to take their first mouthful of grass can vary. For some, it is simple curiosity. But, no matter what set-off that initial tasting, a Yorkie may find the act of chewing on grass to be soothing or serve as a time-filler. Have you ever taken your dog out for a potty break and turned your back, only to discover them chomping on a large mouthful of grass?

But why do they do it and how do you know when it is actually a problem? Some dog owners and veterinarians assume that grass eating is a form of pica , or eating strange items, sometimes caused by a diet deficiency. Many diet deficiencies are rooted in missing vitamins, nutrients, or minerals that are absent from daily intake. Dogs are omnivores and naturally crave the act of eating grass as part of their genetic makeup, dating back to when they hunted their own prey.

Of course, they might also just enjoy the taste and texture of grass in their mouths, especially when new grass is emerging for the first time during spring. The consumption of grass can be a sign that your dog is attempting to relieve an upset stomach and some pups do vomit soon after eating it.