Category Archives: Dog Medical

Tips for Dog Owners this Halloween | Off Leash K9 Training | Halloween Dog Tips

 

Over the years, Halloween has been a fun tradition highlighted with candies, trick-or-treats, themed parties and fun costumes. 

Indeed, Halloween is a fun time not only for kids and adults alike – but also for pets. But before you get carried away with fun and excitement, here are important things that dog owners should remember to ensure that you and your dog will have a fun and safe Halloween.

Keeping Halloween Fun and Safe – 17 Tips for Dog Owners

  1. Keep your dog comfy. While its fun to dress them up for the Halloween, make sure that your dog is comfortable wearing the costume. The costume they wear should not interfere with your pet’s movements, block their sight or limit their ability to hear and cause them trouble breathing.
  2. Avoid those costumes that contain tiny, dangling pieces or parts that can be easily chewed off or swallowed by your pet. You should also regularly monitor your pet when he or she is in costume.
  3. Have your dogs wear their costumes for rehearsals before the actual Halloween to see to it that the costume they wear fit them properly and get them desensitized to it.
  4. See to it that your pets wear a reflective collar for enhanced visibility. Having them wear dog tags with microchip, your name and contact information can also come in handy in case they get lost from the Halloween crowd. 
  5. As always, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Have the list of important numbers saved through your contacts including your local veterinarian and animal poison control hotline.
  6. Prioritize visibility and choose the color of your pet’s costume wisely.
  7. Do away from complex and overly embellished costumes. Choose simple yet creative costumes to avoid stressing your pets.
  8. If your pet is wary of wearing fancy costumes, a festive bandana can do the trick to dress them up.
  9. While we are in for sweet treats, candy bars and chocolates are dangerous for dogs.
  10. Be careful with cellophane wrappers and tin foils which can be harmful when ingested by your pets.
  11. Keep your Halloween decorations out of your pet’s reach, specifically those powered by electricity and lighted candles.
  12. When greeting trick-or-treaters see to it that your dogs won’t break out  the door by keeping them leashed or putting them in a closed room.
  13. If your pet is not particularly sociable or may have the tendency to bite, have him or her stay in a safe hiding place during the hours of trick-or-treating.
  14. Watch out for those popular Halloween plants including pumpkins and corn used for decorations as they can cause stomach discomforts to your pets.
  15. For safety, ensure that your pets are housed safely indoors and avoid leaving them out in your yard during the Halloween.
  16. Glow sticks can add drama for the Halloween spooky night, however they contain liquid which may not really be toxic but may cause your pet to vomit or act strange once they accidentally chew on them.
  17. Reduce noises as much as possible. Doorbells and the screaming kids can easily stress out and even terrify your dog. Using a sound machine or TV can help drown off the noise or you can keep your dog in a quiet and safe room at the moment.

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Natural Remedies for Dog Diarrhea | Off Leash K9 Training | Natural Dog Remedies

 

source: petmd.com

Let’s face it: as a pet parent you are going to have to deal with more than a few messes in your time. When it comes to diarrhea nobody wants it smeared over their carpet or even in their kennel. It’s one mess that we would all rather live without! Fortunately for those of us who’s pets hate the V-E-T there are a few natural remedies for doggy diarrhea available that can help soothe the distress.

Finding out the cause:

The first step in any diarrhea cure is to find out what is causing it and avoid that thing at all costs. If you can prevent the problem happening then you won’t need a natural remedy at all! Obviously if your dog has a severe bout of diarrhea at any time in its life you should visit the vet. It will make them lose vital enzymes, salts and waters from their body that can leave them severely dehydrated if you don’t act.

Steps:

1. Remove all food for 12 hours.

2. Make sure the dog has access to plenty of clean water. If needed, add chicken/beef broth or Pedialyte in addition to the water to help motivate them to drink.

3. Offer the dog a small portion of boiled white meat chicken (no bones or skin) and white rice. This can be the dog’s food until their stool consistency returns to normal.

4. If the diarrhea continues for more than 24 hours or your dog’s condition worsens at any time, call your vet immediately.

Natural Yogurt:

Giving your dog a little dose of the natural probiotics found in plain yogurt will help to replace some of the vital stomach bacteria they have lost. Probiotics should be used in harmony for best results.

Boiled Eggs:

Eggs can give your dog a natural protein boost that makes sure they are getting the nutrients they need in spite of the diarrhea. Be warned that this one is a hit or a miss. Sometimes an egg will just run straight through them. 

Pumpkin:

Plain canned pumpkin is a great choice to sometimes help with diarrhea! It contains fiber, prebiotics, and vitamins/minerals! You can 1-to-4 tablespoons of pumpkin to your dog’s food. Start out with smaller quantities to avoid adding too much fiber to your dog’s diet, if you are unsure, consult your veterinarian. 

Reminder:

Remember that if the symptoms persist you need to go to the vet. Also, if your dog has a pre-existing medical condition that causes the diarrhea then consult your vet about the best dietary changes to make. This problem is sometimes caused by a food allergy, so the solution should usually focus on diet first… it just never hurts to get a check up and make sure there is nothing else going wrong.

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Signs of Heat Stroke in Dogs and How to Prevent It | Off Leash K9 Training

 

Videos of dogs trapped in vehicles on hot summer days have gone viral around the world.  The harrowing images have tugged at our heartstrings and deepened our public commitments to preventing these tragedies and helping our furry friends when they are in danger.  But it’s important to know that dogs can also get heat stroke outside of hot cars.  Whether they are lying outside on the lawn, doing obedience training, playing fetch at the park, or in a house without air conditioning, it is important for us to know the signs of heat stroke, so we can recognize the symptoms and prevent them from happening again.  

Heat stroke is also referred to as hyperthermia, and it happens when the body’s heat-dissipating mechanisms fail.  It often occurs in high external temperatures and causes the body’s internal temperature to exceed 103° F.  Consequently, the internal organs stop functioning properly.  In dog breeds, it most often occurs in dogs with long hair or dogs with short noses and flat faces (brachycephalic breeds).  

When heat stroke strikes, it often happens when a dog is excessively exercised or unable to escape a persistent, high temperature. During the summer months, it is especially important to keep an eye on your dog and ensure they always have access to water.  If you notice the following symptoms in your dog, they might have heat stroke: dehydration, panting,  increased body temperature, excessive drooling, reddened gums, vomiting, uncoordinated gait, seizures, or difficulty breathing.  Consult a veterinarian or animal hospital immediately.

Recognizing and treating these symptoms is essential for your dog’s survival.  Some suggested cooling methods include spraying your dog with cool water, wrapping your dog in cool, wet towels, fanning your dog, giving them water, or using evaporative cooling practices.  It is also very important to use cool water, not cold water when treating your dog for heat stroke because cold water can shrink blood vessels which can prevent further heat dissipation.  In less serious cases, a veterinarian will perform an exam after the incident.  In most cases, however, dogs have to be hospitalized.  Once they’re stabilized, tests for brain and organ damage are usually conducted. 

Old dogs and brachycephalic breeds are more likely to experience heat stroke, though it can happen to any dog.  To prevent this serious condition from occurring, avoid excessively exercising your dog on hot days, avoid keeping them in rooms with low ventilation, take them out of the sun if it’s too hot outside, and have water available at all times.  It may seem obvious to most people, but never leave your dog in a parked car.  Cars have low ventilation and become hot very quickly.  Additionally, you can learn dog CPR to save a dog should the need arise.  In short, know the symptoms, and work to prevent heat stroke from happening in the first place.

Dogs are an integral part of our families, and our love for them manifests in how we care for them.  We can all take steps to prevent and recognize heat stroke to help save our beloved furry friends.

Daffodil Poisoning in Dogs | Dangerous Things For Your Dog | Off Leash K9 Training

 Daffodils (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) may be beautiful and cheerful but they could cause serious harm to your dog, as well as cats or horses.  The majority of daffodil species, part of the Narcissus group of flowers, such as jonquils, paperwhites, and narcissus, all contain substances that can poison your dog if eaten.  Occasionally, simple contact with these flowers is enough to cause external irritation, so great care must be taken when your dog is around daffodils.

The substances that can cause your dog to become ill are alkaloid components of the flower’s chemistry.  Lycorine specifically causes dogs to become ill if ingested.  The alkaloids are most concentrated in the bulb, or root, of the flower, but there is enough in the leaves and flowers to induce vomiting in dogs.  Lycorine can also cause arrhythmia, increased salivation, breathing troubles, convulsions, low blood pressure and excessive drooling.  The bulbs and flowers also contain teeny needle-like crystals of calcium oxalates, which will cause a dog intense pain of the lips, mouth, lounge, and throat, as well as stomach pain and vomiting.

In addition to causing illness when ingested, the dust from daffodil bulbs can be harmful to your dog if inhaled.  This could potentially cause damage to your dog’s mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract, and we all know a dog’s nose is its most important organ!

Your dog could come into contact with daffodil bulbs in several ways.  Your dog could dig the bulbs up and eat them, eat them as you plant, transplant or remove daffodils, or simply come into contact with the part of the plant that is above ground.

If you suspect your dog has suffering from daffodil poisoning, call animal poison control or your veterinarian’s office immediately; they may advise you to bring your dog to the office.  If your dog’s condition seems severe, you may just want to bring them to the vet’s office or emergency facility directly.

Once you arrive at the veterinarian with your dog, let the staff know you believe your dog has daffodil poisoning.  The staff will begin by doing a quick physical examination of your dog.  They may then monitor your dog’s heart and breathing, do blood work, start intravenous fluids, or put them on oxygen.

Depending on the severity of the poisoning, they may perform several more tests and procedures to ensure your dog’s health.  They may need to perform a gastric lavage (stomach pump), but don’t worry, your dog will be asleep for the procedure.  The vet may also want to take x-rays or even a CT scan or MRI to check kidney and other organ function.

Unfortunately, if your dog falls victim to daffodil poisoning a trip to the veterinarians could cost you anywhere from $300 to $3,000, with the average treatment costing about $1,000.  So, if you are planting, transplanting, or removing daffodils in your yard, or visit a public space with a lot of the flower, keep a close eye on your dog for their safety.

If you have questions about your dog or safety, contact us!

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Correlation Between White Dogs and Deafness | Training A Deaf Dog | Off Leash K9 Training

We always get asked, “Can you train a deaf dog?”  The great news is, the answer is, “Yes!”  We have trained many deaf dogs, and it’s really not much more different nor difficult!

Why are dogs deaf ?

Deafness can affect dogs of any breed, age or colored coats but there have been many studies into the fact that white coated dogs are more likely to have problems with their hearing.  Hearing loss is caused by sounds being intercepted on the way to the brain so that they are not heard. Usually when sounds enter your ear they hit your eardrum which then vibrates causing waves which cause a change in pressure. When this pressure occurs the hair cells in the cochlea move which causing the hearing nerves to send a message to the brain.

The reason dogs with white coats are affected more than other fur colors is because of a gene they carry called piebald. This is the gene that gives them their white coat and in many cases blue eyes. It is also responsible for a lower amount of melanocytes which are the cells that make color pigmentation. The ability for the dog to hear is because of cell layers that are present in the inner ear. The cells are created from the same source of stem cells that pre-determine fur color which means that as well as a dog lacking color they can also have hearing problems.

There are also around 85 different breeds that are more likely to have problems with their hearing due to their genetics but the most likely cause of a dog being unable to hear well or at all is because of the piebald gene. Other genes that are more likely to indicate a possibility of hearing problems include the merle gene; this gene is also responsible for blue eyes but a merle coat too. Blue eyes are not actually classed as a color; they are instead seen as a lack of pigmentation that depicts the eye’s color.

The only way to be sure that your dog’s hearing is as good as it should be is to have a BAER test which a veterinarian professional will be able to provide. The test involves attaching electrodes to the dog’s skull which will allow the professional to check for the activity when certain noises are made. When your dog hears a noise and is not affected the brain activity will correlate, however if the electrical activity is lacking it will show that the dog has auditory problems. The waves that appear as part of the test will be able to tell you whether your dog can hear and if not the severity of hearing problems.

Most dog owners whose dogs are affected by the piebald gene will find that hearing problems will be prevalent in the first 6 months of life. If you do think that your dog has hearing problems you should consult a vet for further testing to help you to take further steps to help your dog to lead a normal life and improve communication in other ways so that they can follow simple commands even if they are visual rather than auditory.

 

-Nick White

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The Connection Between Thyroid Dysfunction and Aggressive Behavior | Off Leash K9 Training

Dog-thyroid-Gland1

We handle aggression in dogs in Northern Virginia on a daily basis!  Most people do not realize that it can also be medical related.

Thyroid glands regulate the body’s metabolism, any decrease in the thyroid’s work can cause various complications that are similar to other conditions.

Pet owners and dog breeders don’t know how to identify symptoms of initial canine thyroid disease. This can lead to owners and breeders misunderstanding, misdiagnosing, and mistreating any thyroid disorders with their canines. The genetic nature of thyroid disorders causes complications for dog breeds; having a correct diagnosis is very important for coming up with the remedies needed to treat canine thyroid disease.

The main reason for euthanizing dogs isn’t because of the disease, but because of the abnormal behavior that can come from it. Abnormal behavior has many reasons, but also reflects many psychological problems. The connection between behavioral/psychological changes and thyroid dysfunction in humans was first identified in humans in the 19th century.

The association between abnormal behavior and thyroid dysfunction in dogs (and in cats) was recently recognized. Typical symptoms include:

  • Gratuitous aggression towards other animals and/or people
  • Sudden onset of seizures
  • Combination of disorientation, moodiness, and irregular temper
  • Stretches of hyperactivity and hypo-attentiveness
  • Depression, various phobias, anxiety, submissive/passive and compulsive behavior, and irritation

Most animals and humans that had these symptoms have been seen to be in a state of hypnosis and, when finished, were unaware of their behavior.

In fact, a study done by Drs Dodson and Denapoli, they tested 634 dogs, 62% of the aggressive dogs had low thyroids and 77% of seizing dogs had low thyroids.  There is a significant relationship between low thyroid and human aggression in dogs.  So, if you see this as a problem, it would not hurt to have a thyroid panel conducted on your dog.  Once these were identified, 83/95 dogs showed very quick improvement with treatment.

Studies have seen the sudden change in behavior in dogs and young adults. Dogs that belong to a specific group of breeds (golden retriever, Rottweiler, Akitas, for example) are at risk various health complications such as allergies and any immune system dysfunction. In their case, symptoms include seasonal allergies and itching of their skin. These can be symptoms directly related to thyroid dysfunction.

Puppies and young dogs start out as well-mannered and outgoing before the sudden changes in their personality are seen through nonstop whining, sudden nervousness and phobias, abnormal sweating, and inattention. From there, it can become sudden, unprovoked aggression with other animals and people, or a case of seizures (as explained above). In terms of treatment, a study at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine has shown dogs response to thyroid replacement therapy. Their study showed positive reviews in the first week of treatment and a change in their past behavior.

The human-dog connection in personality and in health has been crucial for a long time and their relation to thyroid disorders and aggression being identified adds to the correlation. The physical and psychological complex is continuously being studied to improve on what can be done to cut down on the condition’s expansion affecting humans and dogs alike. This subject is more broad and complicated than on paper because of the wide variations of the condition; diagnosis and treatment is currently the goal to find.

If you are experiencing issues with your dog or aggression, contact us:

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Everything you need to Know about your Dog and Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Dogs

At our board and train facility in Northern Virginia, we always get a lot of questions around Thanksgiving. You may not naturally consider your family pet to be a major part of Thanksgiving as a holiday, but your dog can be a source of stress or setbacks if you don’t know how to take care of them during a busy holiday time. After all, there are a lot of things going on around this time, whether you are traveling away for the holidays or planning to host the dinner. Taking care of your dog in these situations is important.

Traveling Away
First off is the most obvious aspect of this situation: is your dog coming with you or staying at home? Regardless of the answer to that question, it’s important to make sure that their vaccinations and ID tags are up to date. You should also pack their food in clearly labeled and measured bags, have the vet records on your person, and ensure that your dog has access to a few of its favorite toys whether they are staying home or coming with you.

If your dog is coming with you, these are the specific things you should concern yourself with: make sure the arrangements you’ve made for your destination allows dogs, have a backup plan if they don’t, and make sure you pack bowls and a simple mat for your dog. Just in case, you should also learn the location of a few local vets in the place you’ll be flying to.

If your dog will be staying home during the holidays, especially if you’ll be boarding them, you’ll want to keep these things in mind. You need to make your reservations early, and drop your dog off at the boarding house several hours before closing time so they can acclimate to the environment. There could also be a pretty long check-in time, so you’ll want to get it handled with plenty of time available. A launder mat for your dog to use will probably be a good idea too.
If you’ll be using a pet sitter instead, check your references first, and try to go for an insured or bonded sitter. Make sure you book them early, and make sure they have contingency plans even as you do.

Hosting
If you’ll be hosting a Thanksgiving dinner instead, there are some things you should keep in mind for that situation as well. You’ll need to prepare your dog for guests, including other dogs that may be brought to the party. Clearly, you’ll need to brush up one your dog’s manners, including obeying commands. You may also want to keep your dog on a leash if you know they are rowdy, and ask some safety questions. Is your dog comfortable with everyone who is coming, including their dogs if they come too? Always be on the lookout for stress signs during the gathering, and have a plan in case that happens. Of course, you should let your guests know that your dog will be there in the first place.

If you have guests that will be bringing a dog, let them know what rules you expect that dog to follow beforehand. Introduce the dogs outside of the home first, and keep in mind the potential for hostilities between two dogs, which are often triggered by infringement on food, toys, personal space and especially uneven affection.

The Holiday Feast
We all know that a big part of Thanksgiving is the food. But keep in mind that your dog wants it just as much as you do, if not more. You may need to consider your dog’s behavior during mealtime, and whether or not food should be shared with them.

As far as behavior is concerned, it’s all about the commands your dog knows how to obey. Whether you have them sit at your side during dinner or to some other out of the way spot within the house, both are good options. At Off Leash K9 Training, this is what we use the “place” command for. You may also want to consider teaching your dog to refrain from immediately eating anything dropped from the table, though that’s a whole different lesson in willpower. As you will see on our YouTube channel, we do food refusal training.

As for sharing food, remember that what is good for you is not necessarily good for your dog, even if your dog acts like it would be. Fatty foods, grapes, onions, sage, and many other Thanksgiving foods are very dangerous for your dog to consume, and of course, bones are an entirely bad idea. Even if you have a small dog and the bones seem big enough for them, don’t do it. Bones like that aren’t the same as the ones you might buy from Petco, and the dinner table bones are extremely vulnerable to cracking and splintering, which could lead to choking or other health hazards. If you are going to feed your dog, don’t let them see you procure the food itself: if they notice that it came from the table, they are likely to stick around or worse. If you want to feed them something healthy, stick to ice cubes and carrots at most, and when all is said and done, secure your trash cans so your dog doesn’t have a field day with your garbage. As long as you keep these things in mind, your family, including your dog, can have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

If you want your dog to be well trained for all of your holiday guests, contact us at Off Leash K9 Training!

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Should I Spay or Neuter My Dog? Dog Trainers in Virginia

There has been a debate as to whether or not you should spay or neuter your dog. Many different groups have a variety of different feelings on this heavily debated topic, each for their own reasons. This can be a very personal decision and one of the most important ones that you can make as a dog owner. By seeing all of the arguments for and against this decision, you are able to make an informed decision that you feel comfortable with.

Breeders and people who show their dogs do not believe that people should wait until the dog is 1.5 years of age before getting this medical procedure. This is for appearance purposes. The breeders believe that the dogs need to keep these reproductive organs until they have developed fully. This is important if you want to show your dogs because they need to have developed and be filled out according to the standard. Obviously breeders do not spay or neuter their dogs so that they can breed and earn their living.

Pet rescue groups, shelters, and pet advocate groups are some of the biggest proponents of spaying and neutering your dogs. This is to help prevent unwanted litters as well as a way to promote responsible dog ownership. Shelters have an influx of dogs that they cannot even help and dogs are often put to sleep because they cannot be adopted. This is something is completely preventable. Some trainers are also for spaying and neutering dogs because they believe that this can help with small issues like the dogs’ ability to better socialize, especially at places like dog parks.

There are also groups that seem to be pretty equally divided on the topic. Veterinarians seem to go either way on the topic. Vets are for this because of it promoting responsible dog ownership. They also recommend against it for reasons such as future breeding and because of health risks associated with the procedures. Dog owners are also pretty equally divided on the topics. In addition to these other reasons, they sometimes do not agree with these procedures because they feel guilty about mutilating their dog in a way that takes away their reproductive organs. Some dog owners prefer not to handle their dogs when they are in heat, adding just another reason to do this.

As you can see, this topic is one that has caused a lot of debate. Whether you decide to spay or neuter your pet is a personal decision. This is one that will take a lot of consideration before you can make an informed decision. The decision to spay or neuter is a personal one. Your veterinarian can help provide you with all of the information to help you make the best decision possible. Remember that there seems to be no right or wrong answer officially and you really just need to consider the individual needs of your family. Dog owners just want their dogs to be happy and healthy and this is just one of many important decisions that you need to make.

If you have more questions about your dog or behavior issues, contact Off Leash K9 Training!

-Nick White
Owner/Founder

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Preventing A Heat Stroke in Dogs | Dog Training Virginia | Off Leash K9

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Summer is fast approaching, and it’s the perfect time to learn about dogs having a heatstroke. Humans often believe that dogs are fully capable of cooling themselves off by panting. This is not true. Dogs aren’t able to control their body temperature as well as humans. If a dog has a heatstroke, they can easily die. All it takes is for their body temperature to rise above 106.

Signs of a Heatstroke
All dog owners need to be able to recognize the signs of heatstroke.
-Diarrhea
-Weakness
-Rapid panting
-Red or pale gums
-Vomiting (with or without blood)
-Thick saliva
-Dizziness
-Shock
-Coma

Dogs can have a heatstroke at any time. Owners often believe it can only happen in dogs that are in hot cars. This isn’t true. A heatstroke can happen at any time such as hiking, jogging, playing ball, or just being outside in hot temperatures.

What to Do During a Heatstroke

If you think that your dog may be having a heatstroke, you need to get them out of the heat and sun immediately. Here is a list of things to do to help your dog.

-Lower their body temperature by wetting him in cold water. Never use ice cold water because it can cause a very serious reaction.

-Apply alcohol to the dog’s paw pads, ears, and groin areas. These areas respond quickly to cooling techniques.

-Allow access to water and Pedialyte, but don’t force them to drink. Dogs can choke on water during a heatstroke.

When to go to the Vet

Never hesitate to take your dog to the vet during a heatstroke. You can take your dog’s temperature with a rectal thermometer. Once it reaches 103 degrees, you must get your dog to the vet immediately.

The vet will use oxygen and fluids to get your dog’s temperature to normal. He might want to observe your dog overnight for any shock or organ failure. While a mild heatstroke will generally not leave any lasting effects, a severe heatstroke can cause organ damage. If this occurs, your dog will be at an increased risk for future heatstrokes.

Preventing a Heatstroke

There are a few things that you can do to help lessen the chance of a heatstroke.

-Never leave your dog in a hot car.
-Provide open access to water at all times.
-On hot days, wet your dog or let your dog swim.
-Provide access to shade. Avoid areas, such as a beach, that don’t have any shade.
-Don’t use a muzzle; this stops panting and the dog is unable to regulate their temperature.
-Don’t exercise with your dog outside on hot days.
-Buy a cooling pad for indoors. Dogs can lie on the pad to cool down.

If your dog ever has a heatstroke, follow the suggested tips and get your dog to a vet immediately. Despite the small risk of lasting effects, it’s best to be safe and let a professional check your dog.

If you have anymore questions on dog training, please contact Off Leash K9 Training.

-Nick White
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Off Leash K9 Training

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Why Does My Dog Eat Grass? Dog Expert in Northern Virginia!

Why Do Dogs Eat Grass

If you are a dog owner, chances are that you have noticed your dog munching on grass a number of times. This is generally nothing to be concerned over. Our dogs’ wild ancestors were scavengers; they would get vegetation if they couldn’t find any meat.

Owners often forget that our dogs are omnivores, and they can crave a variety of food choices. Even if their dog food is high quality, dogs can still have a desire to eat greens. It’s also possible for your dog to crave other green vegetables such as spinach and broccoli. Here are some other common reasons why dogs may eat grass.

Upset Stomachs
Many dog owners have noted that their dogs will vomit after eating grass. So, they assume the grass made them sick. Vets generally will disagree with this. They believe dogs eat grass when their stomach is upset.

Researchers believe that when dogs have an upset stomach, they eat grass quickly. The grass tickles the dog’s stomach and causes them to quickly vomit. So, it is believed that dogs instinctually gobble down grass in order to make themselves vomit to relieve their stomach.

When your dog eats grass slowly, it is generally just a sign that your dog enjoys the taste of grass. Healthy dogs know to eat grass differently so they won’t vomit it back up.

Lack of Fiber
Although researchers aren’t positive yet, it’s believed that dogs will eat grass if their diet is lacking in enough fiber. If your dog frequently eats grass, it may be a sign that they need a higher quality dog food. If your budget can’t stretch, try adding raw and cooked greens to their diet. Cook the veggies in chicken stock to make them more appealing to your dog.

Unless your lawn has recently been treated with chemical fertilizers or herbicides, there is little reason to be concerned. Eating grass is a totally normal activity for your dog.

If you have any dog questions, contact us at info@offleashk9training.com.

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