Why Does My Dog Eat Grass?
Does your dog like to race outside every morning, eat some grass, and then vomit? What if they just like to graze from time to time? Is this a problem and should you be worried as a pet owner.
There are no easy answers when it comes to just about anything in veterinary medicine and this seemingly simple topic is yet another example. Make sure you talk to your vet if your dog eats grass regularly as only they will truly be able to tell you if it's a potential problem or not.
Let's start by looking at the 3 major reasons why dogs will eat grass:
- They Eat Everything
- They Like The Taste
- Their Stomach Is Bothering Them
They Eat Everything
Some dogs will literally put anything and everything into their mouth. If your dog is ingesting things constantly, then it could be a condition called pica.
Pica is a medication condition in which an animal (or person) will eat things that have absolutely no nutritional value. Think rocks, dirt, plastic toys, etc.
How can you distinguish if this is the case with your dog? You likely already know because you're constantly pulling things out of their mouths. That's how it is with my golden retriever. She's always putting things in her mouth that I have to remove. When she eats grass, I don't worry that it's an actual medical issue.
They Like The Taste
When spring comes along and the grass is lush and green, some dogs love to graze in the backyard. That can be totally normal. Dogs are omnivores, meaning they eat both meat and plant products, and they like the taste of grass at times.
If it's spring or early summer grass covered with the morning dew, it can be quite tasty to some dogs. Some wolves have even been observed in the wild eating grass.
Not every dog will eat grass and vomit. I'd estimate that it's a smaller percentage than you actually think. However, it's when your dog runs directly outside in the morning, eats grass like they are on a mission, and then vomits up a pile of bile and fluid along with that grass that may signal there's an issue.
Their Stomach Is Bothering Them
Now we are down to the nitty gritty of why you're likely reading this post. You think that your dog is actually telling you there's a problem by eating grass and then vomiting.
What are some other ways that you can tell if their stomach is actually bothering them?
- They also don't eat breakfast like they normally do
- They act lethargic or just "off"
- They may vomit more than once
- They also have diarrhea
At this point, if you see that your dog is actually exhibiting the above behaviors more than a few days a week, contact your vet and go in for a thorough evaluation. There are so many possible reasons for this behavior.
- Bacterial imbalance in the stomach
- Their diet is causing irritation and inflammation
- They ate a foreign object and it's sitting in their stomach
- Liver disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease...
- We're stopping here because we don't want to scare you. Go see your vet.
Ways To Keep The Stomach Healthy
If you're trying to keep your dog in tip-top shape and they don't have any current issues with their stomach, there are definitely some things that you can do to keep the stomach healthy and functioning perfectly.
Probiotics
The gastrointestinal tract of a dog is filled with a multitide of different kinds of bacteria. Most of them are good and are there to help your system digest, absorb, and transport food through the body. Some of them, however, are bad.
When that balance between good and bad bacteria gets thrown off, problems like vomiting and diarrhea can develop. This can happen in any dog at any time. Dogs like to walk around the yard and lick things on the ground. Who knows what they're actually putting into their bodies at this time?
Probiotics are the good bacteria in a concentrated form. The usage of probiotics is intended to maintain the optimal bacterial environment to keep a dog healthy.
Some of our favorite probiotics found on Amazon are Fortiflora (which we have carried in our practice for the past few years and Zesty Paws Probiotic.
Look At Their Diet
The more recent trend towards high-protein dog food diets were rooted in a marketing campaign to equate dog food diets with their ancient wolf ancestors. However, dogs have evolved over centuries and have developed a digestive tract far different from their wolf counterparts.
It's not uncommon to look at a lot of the "boutique" dog food diets and find protein contents of 40% or more. There are some dogs that simply can't handle that level of protein. How do I know? I've treated several dogs over the past 3-4 years with chronic GI symptoms of intermittent anorexia and vomiting. The first few times I ran a multitude of tests to determine the cause.
Now I simply ask what food the otherwise seemingly healthy dog is one and make diet change one of my first treatment recommendations. Those dogs that had intermittent GI issues with their high-proteins diets have their issue resolve on a new diet with a more reasonable level of protein.
How much protein does a common domesticated dog really need? No more than about 33% protein. Anything more and you're likely going to run into situations where the dog isn't really absorbing all that extra protein. Instead your dog is going to expel some super stinky gas and may even have abnormal stools.
Other Considerations
Some of the other ways that you can keep your dog's stomach healthy and working well include not giving it treats that are high in fat or calories, keeping your pet at an optimal weight, and exercising them often.
Conclusion
Your dog eating grass may or may not be an issue. If you're seeing it on a more chronic basis and it's associated with other symptoms, call your veterinarian to schedule an exam.
Parker Animal Hospital - 303-841-2120
How Can I Tell My Cat Is In Pain?
One of the biggest fears that any cat owner has is that their beloved pet is in pain and they can't tell. It's a common question we get at our practice.
How can you tell if your cat is in pain? The bottom line is in identifying new behaviors that your cat is showing that may signal he/she is hurting.
Cats Show Pain Different From Dogs
Most cats, by nature, can be somewhat reserved and not always open with their feelings. It can be difficult to tell the difference between a cat that is in pain and one that is simply upset or stressed. It can be especially difficult to tell if an older cat, who tends to sleep frequently, is in any type of pain.
Dogs, on the other hand, are fairly obvious with their pain. They cry, won't eat, come to you for comfort, and won't want to do many of their normal activities.
Common Signs Of Pain In Cats
Let's start by looking at some of the most common signs that a cat is in pain:
- Limping
- Not Eating
- Hiding
- Not using the litter box
- Sleeping more
Limping
A limping cat is sure to be brought into an animal hospital fairly quickly. Cats tend to not want to show when they're in pain so if they're actually limping there's almost always something to blame for it.
Some of the most common reasons for limping can include pad or foot injuries, overgrown nails, arthritis, soft tissue injuries like strains or tears, abscesses in the limbs, and broken bones.
If you can safely look at your cat's feet at home (because we all know that sometimes they just don't want anyone to check them out), look for any sign that there's something stuck in a pad or between the toes. Are the nails so long that they've grown into the pad?
Is your cat one that ventures outside from time to time? Does the leg that is limping seem hot and swollen? An abscess may be to blame. Abscesses can start from something as innocuous as a thorn prick or as severe as a bite from another animal.
Frequently these wounds will happen without the knowledge of the owner. They like to seal over and start festering in the tissues deep in the leg. Once the infection really gets going, an abscess will appear and a visit to the vet will be needed to empty and flush the abscess and start your cat on antibiotics.
Can a cat tear an ACL (anterior crucial ligament)? Yes, it can! It's almost always related to some type of trauma, though. We've seen cats that have gotten their legs tied up in garage doors and caught up on the top of bookcases prior to jumping down.
Not Eating (Anorexia)
A cat that doesn't eat is always very worrying to any cat owner. Some cats can be finicky by nature, but usually those cats' owners know that and don't immediately jump to their worst fears when their cat decides not to eat a meal or two.
There are so many reasons for why a cat won't eat food, but having pain somewhere in the body is definitely one of the most concerning causes.
Hiding
Cats that are in pain may sometimes hide in the house and not want to interact with their families. They may find a spot in a closet or under a bed, and they typically won't want to come out even when called.
Not Using The Litterbox
When cats stop using the litter box to do their business, whether it's one type or both, pain can be a cause for this. It can be anything from not wanting to use a covered, small litter box that may be physically difficult for them to enter because they hurt to not using the litter box because they've associated the box with the pain they feel when urinating or defecating.
Sleeping More
This may be the most overlooked symptom in a cat that has pain. If your cat is elderly or just older you may not consider them sleeping all the time a problem. After all, don't cats sleep all the time?
This is a reason why cats can be so difficult to diagnose at times. As a veterinarian, sleeping more can signal to us a cat that doesn't feel well enough to get up and move around the house. They may not want to interact with their people. Instead of hiding, they just sleep all the time.
How A Physical Exam Reveals Pain
The physical exam can be the primary way a veterinarian detects pain in your cat. When I'm putting my hands on a cat, these are the things I look for when I'm trying tell if a cat is in pain:
- Overall stance - is the cat crouched and hunched up, not wanting me to touch him/her? That could be basic fear or anxiety, but it can also be pain.
- Are the eyes open and clear or are they partially closed? A cat in pain will sometimes want to keep its eyes closed.
- Is there any obvious pain when I touch the neck or run my fingers along the spine? Pain in the lower spine can be detected this way. That could signal arthritis.
- Is the heart rate elevated? While that can be a sign of anxiety or fear, pain (especially in the abdomen) can result in a higher than normal heart rate.
- Tense or painful abdomen? When I feel the abdomen, I want to feel a soft, pliable area that allows me to touch the kidneys, intestines, and anything else that may be palpable. A cat that has a tense, hard abdomen is telling me something hurts.
- Swelling in a limb? How about increased joint fluid in the knees or elbows? That can be palpated in an exam and may help us to focus on an area in a limping cat.
When A Symptom Of Pain Isn't Pain
This may sound contrary, but there are times when cats won't present their symptoms in a way that always makes sense in the beginning.
It can be difficult to tell if that cat who has terrible teeth and isn't eating is really not eating because of its mouth. I know that sounds crazy, but that's why we will do bloodwork prior to any dental work on a cat.
Cats quite commonly can eat even with pain (they usually tend to eat dry kibble whole and don't chew much), so when they don't eat we blame their teeth when we've ruled out other causes of anorexia like kidney disease.
Likewise a cat with heart disease can present with many of the symptoms of a painful cat (hiding, not eating) but they're not in pain because of their heart issue - they just don't feel good enough to eat and act normal.
Cats And Pain Medication
Cats are very, very different in how they process medication compared to dogs or even people. The simple explanation is that they don't have the same type of enzymatic processes in their livers that help break down a medication into something that is safe and usable to them.
NEVER EVER give your cat acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen, Rimadyl, or any of your or your dog's pain medications. One dose could literally kill them.
Please call us if you think your cat is in pain. Don't attempt to give them anything at home without consulting a veterinarian first!
Conclusion
One of our biggest challenges as veterinarians is determining if and why a cat is in pain versus they just don't feel good. A good physical exam coupled with the history provided by an observant cat owner can help us narrow in on the problem. Ultimately the goal is to eliminate or manage pain in your cat as quickly and effectively as possible.
Parker Animal Hospital 10225 S. Parker Rd. Parker, Colorado - 303-841-2120
We Now Carry Hemp-Based CBD Oil For Dogs and Cats
We have partnered with PetReleaf, a CBD company based locally out of Littleton, Colorado to begin carrying CBD oils for our patients.
These are OTC (over the counter) products so you don't need a prescription and anyone can come in and pick up the product. Below you will find dosing guides so you can select the right product for your pet!
Currently we are only carrying the extract oils as they are the easiest product to titrate doses. However, we are more than willing to order you any product from their line that you want to try out.
**Note that the Liposomal oil products are currently backordered and won't be back on the market until later this year.
Dosing Guide For Your Pet - every CBD product is going to be a bit different when it comes to dosing. Pet Releaf has their own dosing guide below:
There will be more info on CBD and what it can do for your pet in the coming days...keep an eye on the website!!
Parker Animal Hospital
10225 S. Parker Rd. in Parker, Colorado
Barker Days Is The Best Day Of The Year To Be A Dog
We had a great time yesterday at Barker Days in Parker, Colorado. Held every year at O'Brien Park, Barker Days is the best day of the year to be a dog in Parker.
With dogs of all shapes and sizes swimming around in the pool and running all over the ballfield, it was a dog lovers paradise.
It was great to run into some of my favorite clients and their dogs there as well! Parker is really a small community no matter how much it grows!
Thanks to the Town of Parker and all the vendors who helped to make the day safe and so much fun!!!
Blue-Green Algae And Your Dog
Dog owners in Colorado have recently been concerned by news reports of blue-green algae in local lakes and are worried. Should they not take their dogs to these lakes? How can they protect their dogs? How worried should they be?
Let's dig into what we know about blue-green algae and find out what you can do to keep yourself and your dog safe!
Speaking of safe, do you have a Pet First Aid Kit in your car for small emergencies? Check this one out on Amazon. Vet recommended!
What is Blue-Green Algae?
Actually, it's not algae at all. It's a particular type of bacteria called cyanobacteria. This bacteria is normally found in lakes all over the country, especially when the water is rich in nutrients it needs to grow. It's most common in the late-summer months when it's still warm and the water levels in slow-moving water (like lakes and ponds) are shallow.
Blue-green algae can be described as looking like "pea soup" and can cover a large area or just a small little pocket of standing water. Sometimes it can also be associated with a funky smell.
However, blue-green algae can also be hidden more under the water and in small spots so you never really know if you're exposed to it or not in many cases.
Why Has It Suddenly Seemed To Be A Problem?
There's a couple different reasons why blue-green algae is on everyone's minds:
- Dog Deaths
Reports from Georgia and North Carolina over the past few weeks have described the sudden deaths of several dogs after swimming and playing in ponds and lakes containing blue-green algae.
- Media Coverage
Because of the dog deaths described above, this situation has sparked a large amount of media coverage. It's crossed into the general news feed of a lot of people and is now on everyone's minds.
- It's Late Summer
Late summer is the typical time for blue-green algae to bloom in many locations across the country.
Why Is It Dangerous?
Let's first point out that in the vast majority of blue-green algae are NOT dangerous!
However, because you can't tell if the blue-green algae blooming in front of you is toxic or not, it's best just to steer clear.
Some types of blue-green algae actually produce harmful toxins like microcystins or anatoxins (more info below). Symptoms of a toxic exposure will vary depending on what type of toxin was ingested.
It's also important to note that even just a few mouthfuls of toxin-infested water can cause potentially fatal issues so again...steer clear of anything that looks like blue-green algae!!
What Symptoms Appear If My Dog Gets Sick?
The two major types of toxins and the clinical signs that they cause are as follows:
- Microcystins - This nasty toxin goes after the liver and can cause massive damage or even liver failure. Clinical signs include vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stool, weakness, pale gums, seizures, shock, and coma.
- Anatoxins - This one goes after the nervous system. Clinical signs include excessive salivation and lacrimation (runny eyes), muscle tremors, muscle rigidity, and paralysis. Because this spreads to the respiratory muscles quickly, the breathing is greatly impaired. Imminent signs of respiratory failure include difficulty breathing and a bluish discoloration to the gums and skin.
My Dog Is Showing The Clinical Signs - What Do I Do?
Head to the nearest animal emergency hospital immediately. The rate at which these clinical signs progress is very rapid and very frightening. In the case of liver damage done by microcystins, aggressive treatment needs to be started as soon as possible.
If your dog has ingested anatoxins, you may not even have enough time to get to the emergency clinic. That's been the situation with the dog deaths described above. If you are able to get to an emergency clinic, aggressive immediate treatment is your dog's only chance. Even then, death is very likely.
For more information, check out the Pet Poison Helpline.
For more information about this issue in people, check out the CDC's section on Harmful Algal Bloom-Associated Illness.
Where In Colorado Has Blue-Green Algae Been Reported In 2019?
To be perfectly honest, blue-green algae is very common this time of year. It's been reported from Boulder down to Colorado Springs in several reservoirs and lakes.
So far no cases linked to ingestion of the toxins that can be produced by blue-green algae have been reported in Colorado in 2019.
How To Prevent Algae Blooms
- Pick up after your dog!!! Not only is this just common courtesy and better for human health, but dog excrement around lakes can contribute to the nitrogen levels that create algae blooms.
- Use Phosphate-free fertilizer! Phosphate-containing fertilizer are another source of nutrients for blue-green algae.
Take Home Point
If you spot what looks like blue-green algae in your local pond or lake, just stay away.
CDC, FDA Want You To Toss The Pig Ear Treats
I've never been a fan of pig ears as chew treats for dogs, but now it appears that the CDC and FDA are also coming out against the popular dog treat. However, it's not because of an issue with dogs but rather a serious health threat to their owners.
There have been 127 cases of Salmonella in humans that have a suspected link to pig ear treats. Most of these pig ears seem to have originated from Argentina and Brazil, but the CDC wants you to toss all the pig ears that you may have at home.
They are also telling all retailers that sell pig ears to take them off the shelves until further notice.
“The FDA takes seriously our responsibility to protect both human and animal health,” said Steven M. Solomon, D.V.M., M.P.H., director of the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine. “Multiple products have tested positive for numerous types of Salmonella resulting in two company recalls to date. Given this and the links to human illness, we believe the most effective way to protect public health at this time is to warn consumers to avoid purchasing or feeding their pets all pig ear treats and for retailers not to sell these products. We also continue to advise those who may have come into contact with potentially contaminated products to practice safe hygiene, including thoroughly washing hands and disinfecting any surfaces that have touched pig ear pet treats. The FDA will provide additional updates as our investigation further progresses.”
This hasn't been the only situation involving pig ears and salmonella as of late. Pet Supplies Plus initiated a recall of bulk pig ears recently after samples tested positive for Salmonella.
Want a better chew toy idea? Try This WishBone Chew Toy, or this peanut butter-flavored dog chew from Smart Sticks.
For more information regarding this investigation, as well as information about what to do if you suspect that you may have been affected, check out this article: "FDA Investigates Contaminated Pig Ear Pet Treats Connected to Human Salmonella Infections."
Barker Days - 5 Tips To Make Your Dog's Day Great
Every September the town of Parker, Colorado shuts down the pool to humans at O'Brien Park downtown on the weekend after Labor Day and opens it to all the local dogs and their families!
There's also areas for agility contests and plenty of vendors on-hand to represent the variety of pet services available in Parker!
Worried about your dog in the water? Dog life vests can help make it easy for your dog to stay afloat as well as give you a handle to help him/her out of the water easier!
For 2019, the event is on September 7. Click here to check it out!
Pre-registration will guarantee your spot on the day, but if you show up at 11 a.m. without a registration, you might still be able to get in based on the current capacity.
It's a fun-filled day, but if you've never gone you might wonder what it's like and whether your dog would like it. As not only a local veterinarian but also a local resident, I can give you the lowdown on what to expect.
Here's 5 Tips To Make Barker Days Great!
1. Make Sure Your Dog Is Sociable
How well does your dog (or dogs) get along with other dogs? Do they visit any local dog parks? Go to doggy daycare?
If they are a good canine citizen with lots of experience making friends, then they will be happy and comfortable in the crazy, hectic setting of Barker Days.
On the other hand, if your dog gets nervous even when on a walk in the neighborhood and doesn't have much outside dog experience, then you're better off not going.
Conversely, if your dog is always trying to boss other dogs around and dominate them, they will likely not be welcome at Barker Days.
In the end, what's most important is that the dogs are happy and safe while they're at the event.
2. Register Ahead And Know The Rules
Pre-registration is found here. All dogs must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older! Your dog must have a collar on with an I.D. tag and a current rabies tag.
Abide by any visibly posted rules during the event! There is a Dog First Aid station in the vendor area if your dog gets injured playing.
3. Don't Bring Any Extra Treats Or Food
There are a multitude of vendors that will be present during the event on the ball field. They have plenty of treats for your dog to try as well as lots of information about pet-related services found around Parker!
You also don't want to attract a crowd around you if you do decide to bring your own treats. The dogs are always very excitable and eager to meet and greet everyone (and everything they can).
4. Don't Try And Control Your Dog Constantly
Barker Days is an off-leash event. You should not plan on keeping your dog on a leash once you're inside the blocked-off area. Dogs who need to be kept on leashes to keep under control should just not attend.
What I've witnessed at past Barker Days (and I've gone for many years) is that a dog on a leash will attract other dogs. That dog who is on a leash will feel confined and trapped because they can't move very much. Give your dog the freedom to have all the fun he/she wants.
5. Leave When He/She Is Tired
For some dogs, they can only last for many an hour or two before they become exhausted. The excitement of the morning combined with some vigorous swimming can easily exhaust most dogs.
While some dogs make it very evident that they are tired by lying down and not wanting to interact anymore, other dogs might have to be monitored if they're the kind to play until they drop.
Keep an eye on your dog while it is in the pool. The event does have plenty of human lifeguards on hand to prevent any water accidents, but nothing replaces keeping an eye on your own dog.
If they start to struggle while swimming and are having a hard time, it's time to get out of the pool for sure!
At The End Of The Day...
You should have had a fun experience and your dog should look something like this...
