Grass

Basenji Feeding

  • Mine don't usually eat grass that is still in the ground, but they LOVE to eat what is left behind the lawn mower, esp. after it's dried out a bit.
    I have no idea what the fascination is there.


  • I have read that eating grass may be something of an "instinct" to dogs. When they used to kill and eat rabbits, birds, and such… they would eat the contents inside of their prey also. This gave the meat a wild, grassy taste and maybe that is what is lacking from the modern-day dog diet. NOT something easily replaced!!!

    Have you noticed, (because I am wondering) do they take their time and chew it thoroughly when eating grass as a snack? I bet they do... that is why they don't throw up!

    Most dogs (like Bella) will scarf grass down in a mad, hurried pace without hardly even chewing when they are sick. I don't know if the intention is to cause vomiting to occur, but think about all that grass (blades intact) tickling the insides of their esophagus and stomach!!! That would be enough to make me vomit!:p


  • All of my dogs, including the new puppy, have eaten grass regularly, but not the lawn usually. They chew on the long grass (that I should have trimmed) along the edge of the fence and the ornamental grass in the garden. To me it looks more like something just to chew rather than something they are really eating for food. They just eat small quantities and spit out most of it. Sometimes that is the first thing they'll do is go to the edge of the fence and chew on grass. It's weird.


  • When my 2 aren't eating grass to vomit (usually ETS) they are eating, IMO, to supplement their diet with what their body says it needs. Greens.

    When this happens I cook a large pot of broccoli and add it to their diet over a 3-4 day period. This stops the grass plug eating (sometimes a slice of cheese on the broccoli encourages them to eat "their greens")

    Are they eating the dirt? That's a different problem.


  • Cory and Jayden seem to eat the grass just because they like the grass. They also nibble on my border grass. On the few occasions that they have vomited, it hasn't been from eating grass. I guess they just like a little salad. Maybe I should plant parsley around my trees and see how it helps their breath. :D Maybe I'll add some regular vegetables to their diet and see if they give up grass eating. Doe the broccoli make them gassy?? I sure don't need that!

    Pat


  • Yes, broccoli will make them gassy depending how much you give them…. BUT mine has always loved it... that and Cauliflower too

    Mine would pick out a particular "weed" that was growing to use as a "barfing" tool.... we used to have one bush (I have no idea what it was) that my Mickii used all the time.. we called it the "barfing bush"....

    And when Kristii had a blockage... she was trying to eat grass like there was no tomorrow.... and would immediately barf it up....


  • I am confused, I thought broccoli was not good for dogs to eat…:confused:


  • @bellabasenji:

    I am confused, I thought broccoli was not good for dogs to eat…:confused:

    It is fine for dogs to eat… mine eat it from as early that they are eating solid food.... not sure where you might have heard that. It does give them gas... depending on the amount but it is really good for them... mine have always loved it... raw or steamed

    But I have never found that it prevents them from eating grass... because with mine it didn't... but usually mine will only eat grass if they are wanting/needing to barf.... that said, all of mine have had access to the backyard lawns... mostly 24/7 unless crated....


  • I read somewhere online that broccoli is thought to be bad for dogs only if it exceeds 10% of their diet and might be fatal if it exceeds 25% of their diet. But that would be a lot of broccoli.
    Pat


  • @BasenjiDiva:

    I read somewhere online that broccoli is thought to be bad for dogs only if it exceeds 10% of their diet and might be fatal if it exceeds 25% of their diet. But that would be a lot of broccoli.
    Pat

    I have never heard/read that.. but your right… that would be a lot of broccoli.....


  • Our guy does that we call it "salad". As for killing the weeds 1part Vinegar 1 part water, spray on the weeds all over and they will die. I use it for everything, general cleaning, cleaning up after accidents, etc. The B's can lick it and nothing bad happens except a bad taste.


  • I live by the Vinegar and Water for cleaning…gggg ... and it is cheap... and for removing "pee" smell it is the best and certainly the cheapest..... the smell of the vinegar does not hang around... even in your carpet

    I have never tried it on weeks... thanks for that tip


  • I've used a lot of the water and vinegar mixture to clean up pee accidents over the years but I've never tried it as a weed killer. I will give it a try. It sure would be a lot safer and a lot cheaper than the weed killer.

    Pat

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