An enjoyable stroll around the neighborhood with your dog can take a decidedly unpleasant turn when your beloved pet enthusiastically buries his nose in the garbage, rotten food, or something worse. Repulsed, you wonder, why is my dog eating that?

The answer: probably nothing. As off-putting as this behavior is to us humans, it’s normal for dogs, according to Tina Cheng, DVM of the Animal Clinic of Encino, Calif. “Dogs explore their world through their noses,” she says. “They want to check everything out.” That includes all kinds of garbage, waste products of other dogs or animals, rotten food, and dirty water.

Why Does My Dog Eat Poop?

For us, one of the most upsetting behaviors is when a dog eats its poop. But even that, say, experts, is normal and not necessarily harmful. One theory maintains that dogs do this so that predators will not find evidence that they’re in the area, says Dr. Cheng. When dogs eat grass, they may need some fiber, she adds. Eating grass is not harmful to a dog.

Why Does My Dog Eat Dirt?

Another reason why a dog would eat non-food items, such as wood or even rocks (a condition called pica), is that he may have anemia, diabetes, or a digestive disorder. Talk to your vet about getting your dog tested if he or she feels it is necessary.

But even if there is no underlying illness at work, it is best to prevent your dog from eating and drinking outside of the proper diet you provide.

Keep Your Dog Safe

“Your dog could pick up parasites from another dog’s feces, food poisoning from rotten food, and get very sick from drinking dirty water with antifreeze in it,” says Dr. Cheng. “Whenever you’re on a walk, keep a tight grip on the leash.” If you visit dog parks regularly, make sure that your dog keeps up with his vet visits. “Dog parks are like nursery schools for kids,” says Cheng. Your dog will be exposed to many more parasites and could pick up more diseases.

Of course, dogs can find plenty to get into at home, too. They will drink toilet water and eat out of the kitchen garbage can. Dogs can eat all kinds of objects when they’re bored, as well. “I’ve had dogs in this office who’ve swallowed gloves, socks, a bouncy ball, corn on the cob, a mango pit – you name it,” says Dr. Cheng. Dogs will swallow something if they can, but if an object is too big to pass through the intestines, it can cause severe injury or death. Keep all such objects away from your dog.

How Can I Stop My Dog From Eating Everything?

Dr. Cheng suggests the following tips for keeping your pet out of trouble:

• Provide high-quality dog food for meals and offer appropriate-sized chew toys
• Play with your dog often, so he’s not bored
• Keep toilet seats down

• Make sure garbage cans, indoor and outdoor, are latched shut
• Always put your dog on a leash while taking a walk
• Do not let your dog drink from puddles or eat any garbage

Although you cannot keep an eye on your dog all the time, it is essential to take these steps so that your canine’s instincts do not get him into trouble. “It’s perfectly normal for dogs to want to sniff everything, like window shopping,” says Dr. Cheng. “But you always need to watch what they get into and make sure they don’t eat something that could make them sick.”

Article written by Author: Elizabeth Parker

Some dogs see a verdant lawn as an invitation to romp. Others view that swath of grass as a welcome snack. If you count your pup among the dogs that occasionally graze on grass, you’re far from alone. Veterinarians receive many questions about grass grazing. They don’t always have direct answers for their clients, says Dr. Laird Goodman, DVM, a member of the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association board.

“Nobody knows why dogs do it,” says Dr. Goodman. “The short answer is they do it because they like to eat grass. I sometimes say some dogs want to have a salad before they have their meal.”

Why Does My Dog Want To Eat Grass and Weeds?

Several possibilities may explain your dog’s occasional inclination to munch on grass. Dr. Goodman and Dr. Stephen Steep, past president of the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association, explain the theories:

• Why Do Dogs Eat Grass and Vomit?

It’s an unpleasant reality associated with grazing, but many dogs bring up their food after eating grass. However, it’s unclear whether dogs eat grass to stimulate this action and clear their throat or stomach of unwanted matter. “Most clients think that their pets eat grass because they need to vomit,” says Dr. Steep. “This isn’t necessarily so. Many seemingly healthy dogs eat grass and may or may not vomit. Many dogs have gastrointestinal upset but do not show any interest in grass.”

• Nutritional Deficiency in Your Dog’s Diet

Some veterinarians suspect that dogs graze because they’re missing something in their diet, says Dr. Steep. However, science doesn’t yet provide any definitive answers about what those deficiencies may be.

• Canines’ Animal Nature 

Wolves and coyotes often eat the grain- and green-filled entrails of their prey first, says Dr. Goodman. “That’s the salad before the meal part,” he jokes. One of Dr. Steep’s veterinary school professors suggested that eating grass may even be a throwback behavior that provides some evolutionary advantage to dogs.

• Your Dog Enjoys the Taste of Grass

The answer may be as simple as your dog’s enjoyment of the tender green stuff.

Helping Your Canine Grass Grazer

Even though eating grass falls within the realm of normal behavior for dogs, handle your dog’s grazing with caution, say the veterinarians. They advise you to take these three steps:

• Define the Location Your Dog Grazes 

Lawns are often treated with toxic fertilizers or pesticides, which could harm your dog — particularly during the warmer months. Consider providing an alternative like the kitty greens that cat owners grow in a small pot indoors. Fresh, moist shoots, which may be more appealing to your dog, are less likely to irritate their digestive system than harsh, sharp grass blades.

• Limit the Amount of Grazing 

The messy tummy-upset sometimes associated with grass grazing may cause inflammation of your dog’s esophagus. “Dogs are the consummate vomiters, but it is not always beneficial,” says Dr. Steep. Because dogs don’t digest grass well, provide it only as a small, rare treat.

Offer Pet Food Containing Greens 

Feeding your dog a commercial food containing greens, such as spinach, is a safe alternative, says Dr. Goodman. If your dog’s grass grazing is due to nutritional reasons, the food should satisfy that need.

If you take these steps, there’s no reason to worry about your dog’s behavior. “It has been my observation that some dogs just like to eat grass. They may have a preference for certain types of grass,” says Dr. Steep. “I had a wonderful dog named Moose who would wander the backyard until he found just the right type of grass — long, slender strands — and he would graze on those tender shoots.”

Article written by Author: Kim Boatman

Processed granulated sugar is not a healthy option to feed to dogs and should not be part of your dog’s diet. Like humans, dogs who consume a lot of granulated sugar can develop cavities on their teeth, gain weight, and are at increased risk of developing metabolic conditions and diabetes. These health issues can lead to other conditions such as painful oral infections, heart complications, and arthritis.

So can dogs eat sugar? Dogs do need carbohydrates as part of their diet, but not in the form of granulated sugar.

Do Dogs Like Sugar?

Dogs have fewer taste buds than we do, but they still work in much the same way. Even though it is thought that dogs use smell rather than taste buds to choose their food, they invariably seem to have a sweet tooth. This sweet tooth means that, like us, dogs are attracted to sugary foods. Their sweet tooth also means that, like us, sugar can be addictive for dogs, and consumption can lead to a host of health conditions such as cavities, obesity, and diabetes.

Can I Give Sugar Water To My Dog?

Giving your puppy sugar water is one of the ways to treat low blood sugar or Hypoglycemia. As the liver isn’t fully developed, this condition is more common in puppies than adult dogs. Symptoms can include weakness, sleepiness, trembling or wobbly, and seizures. Feeding your puppy sugar water or a sugar syrup such as honey can be an effective treatment.

Dogs can eat sugar in the form of sugar water. A small amount of sugar water may be appropriate to feed your adult dog, helping to keep their blood sugar levels in check if they have been vomiting and are off their food.

Does Sugar Make Dogs Hyper?

Sugar increases blood sugar levels in both humans and dogs. Colleen Paige, author of The Good Behavior Book for Dogs: The Most Annoying Dog Behaviors … Solved! believes that dogs may get a sugar high that “can cause a dog to be hyper and unfocused.” She thinks that, in many cases in which dogs appear to be ill-mannered and uncooperative, their behavior could have been influenced by diet.

What Happens If My Dog Eats Sugar?

Dogs process sugar in a similar way we do. Sugar, in the form of glucose, is carried to all of the body’s cells via the blood. Sugar is found in some commercial dog foods, so while your dog may not directly be ingesting sweets, he will still be getting some form of sugar or glucose. Glucose can come from carbohydrates, which break down quickly in the body and can raise blood sugar levels.

Like what we experience, dogs can suffer a sugar low after the high, causing dogs to become “sleepy, lethargic, moody and irritable,” says Paige. If your dog is not eating high-quality food with the right ingredients, your pet could experience a regular daily cycle of extreme highs and lows. Over time, problems like diabetes could result, given that the body has to work harder to process excess glucose.

Be aware that glucose can be found in packaged dog foods. So if you are concerned about how much sugar your dog is consuming, check the labels to see how much sugar they contain.  

Can Dogs Eat Xylitol?

Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that can be found in diet foods, chewing gum, candies, etc. Xylitol is extremely toxic for dogs and should never be included as part of your dog’s diet. If ingested, xylitol can cause lethargy, lack of coordination, vomiting, and potentially seizures. If you think that your dog has eaten xylitol, take him to the vet immediately. Xylitol reduces blood sugar levels, which can lead to liver failure, so quick action is essential.

So … Can Dogs Eat Sugar?

Similar to humans, dogs can suffer a sugar low after a sugar high, causing dogs to become “sleepy, lethargic, moody and irritable,” says Paige.

If your dog has a diet high in sugar, over time, problems like diabetes could result, given that the body has to work harder to process excess glucose.

Paige urges owners to avoid dog foods with excess sugar and carbs, not to mention preservatives, artificial coloring, artificial flavorings, and other “no-no” ingredients, as she calls them.

Article written by Author: The Dog Daily Expert

Your Christmas tree brings joy during the holidays, but it can also bring danger to your dogs and other pets. Apart from you, your dog may think that your Christmas tree is her friend during the holidays and cannot see the perils that tree can represent. Most dogs are instinctively drawn to its inviting smell, but beware; that natural curiosity can lead to the risk of severe injury or worse. Your dog’s temperament and demeanor will play a role in how much mischief she might find herself in. Even the most well-behaved dog will find it hard to resist the temptation of a Christmas tree and its trimmings. Short of 24/7 supervision, the next best line of defense to ensure her safety is to take precautions that could eliminate or at least minimize risk to your dog’s health. 

Christmas tree needles are not digestible, and if your dog tries to eat them, she’ll likely get sick and vomit, and that is if you’re lucky. They are mildly toxic, and if she manages to ingest them, they can cause damage, obstruct, or even puncture her digestive tract.

Oils from the fir tree can also irritate your dog’s mouth and stomach and cause her to vomit or drool excessively. Daily sweeping and vacuuming are the best ways to keep tree needles out of your dog’s reach. Toddler gates are also an excellent way to keep your dog away.

Be extra careful with artificial trees as the small pieces are plastic and not organic. These little plastic pieces can get lodged in her digestive tract and lead to illness, large veterinary bills, and even death in extreme cases. You can spray an organic dog repellent on your tree to try and minimize the risks.

For more information on Christmas tree safety for you dog, see our article ‘Is Christmas Tree Water Safe for Dogs?‘ 

Article written by Author: The Dog Daily Expert

Back in the old days, Christmas trees were usually sold with just a primary wooden base nailed to the bottom for balance. You’d go down to the hardware store, pay them $30, haul the tree home, and stick it in a corner. After a few days, the needles would start to dry out, and eventually, shortly after Christmas Day, you would put it out onto the sidewalk for removal or recycling.

But, as appetites for larger trees grew (and house and ceiling heights too!), people began spending more money and buying taller trees, which need a more substantial base. They also buy them earlier and leave them up past New Years’. Along with these new preferences came a need for a base that could hold water and give your Christmas tree a little more shelf life. So, those of us with curious pets inevitably discovered that dogs love drinking water straight from the Christmas Tree water holder. It tastes different and smells different, so it is bad for our dog friends? As Charla Dawson, owner of Dapper Dog and Classy Cat, points out, “The water itself is not poisonous, but if a fertilizer was added to the water, it might be poisonous. This fertilizer may cause the dog to suffer from diarrhea and vomiting.” (Tree preservatives may also be added to the water, helping to keep the tree fresh during transport.) Dawson, therefore, advises that you cover the base.

How Do I Stop My Dog Drinking Christmas Tree Water?

A quick and easy remedy is to make sure your dog’s water bowl is full to discourage exploring the pine-scented water under your tree.  But if that won’t work, try covering the tree bowl with some well-secured foil or plastic wrap to prevent your water lapping loved one.

Or, if you’re one to accessorize this kind of thing, you could take on a more decorative approach and make a Christmas themed cover for reuse next year. One impressive

example is a pretty cover made out of burlap, as seen on the DIY Showoff blog. With some imagination, you can probably come up with other innovative solutions.

Even if you just put plain water in the stand, I would advise covering the exposed base. The tree, which may have been sprayed with insecticides or other chemicals, will leach compounds into the water. It’s better to be ultra-safe than sorry when it comes to the holidays and your dog.

For more information on Christmas tree safety for you dog, see our article ‘Are Christmas Tree Needles Bad for Dogs?‘ 

Article written by Author: The Dog Daily Expert