Suddenly Eating Grass

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

Last night, we took Hudson and Fifa to the dog park. While there, he ate part of, or the whole plant weed. When I saw him doing it, I ran over and got him to stop, but I'm pretty confident he ate at least part of it.

Almost immediately after that, he started trying to throw up, gagging, choking, and was visibly uncomfortable. He threw up white bile, but continued to act strange. I was starting to think we were going to have to take him to the emergency vet, but he was breathing fine and within a few minutes was basically back to normal running around.

When we got home, he was a little off, but still acting pretty normal. He sounded like he had the hiccups, but those soon went away too.

He also kept ringing the bell to go outside, and every time we took him, he would eat grass. Not just casually, but literally gobbled it! He occasionally eats grass, but never like this. He keeps ringing the bell to go outside, but all he does is eat grass. I've read that dogs will do this if they have an upset stomach to get themselves to vomit. He has not vomited since the white bile at the dog park.

He slept through the night, without asking to go out. This morning, he just wanted to eat grass, and did not eat his breakfast (which is rare!).

Do I have any reasons to be nervous or will this just run its course?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I wouldn't panic, but it sounds like he may be nauseated. Is it possible he got a hold of anything he shouldn't have, prior to the dog park visit?

If he continues to refuse his meals and try to make himself vomit, I'd consult the vet.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It does sound to me like he is feeling nauseated and trying to bring something up. Maybe the original weed caused it, but the inappetance coupled with the excessive grass eating and vomiting makes me think something is definitely going on with his digestive system. I sucks that it's Sunday and the vets aren't open. I'm not sure what I would do about the grass eating. I'm thinking you could give him some hydrogen peroxide to help him get whatever it is up, but that's not always a good idea when you aren't sure what he may have ingested, if anything. Is he drinking water?

[F, Calla & Luca]

Dogs may eat grass to vomit but mine like to munch on it daily. I would just watch for now and see if everything doesn't return to normal. I let my two eat grass in the yard since I know it's not treated but I wouldn't let them eat grass elsewhere. I hope Hudson feels better soon.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

This sounds like Hudson is eating more grass than normal, though, in an attempt to make himself vomit.

[L.M.]

I would maybe at least call the vet...it's possible the plant he ate is toxic to dogs and that's why he is so nauseated. That would be my concern, especially if he isn't eating his food.  Good luck and hope he feels better!

[Joni & Parker]

Hello, My name is Joni and I just purchased Parker from a breeder in Western Maryland.  Yesterday, he was eating and running around like a normal puppy.  Today, he is throwing up yellow bile and not eating or playing. He has been throwing up since this morning.  I'm worried about him since is not drinking or eating.  He has his first puppy visit with the vet tomorrow.  Is there anything I should be doing?  He was eating a lot of grass as well. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Joni, Parker needs to get to a vet NOW. In a puppy this young, it's urgent.

[Louise Cyr]

My lab Barnaby often ate grass. But I noticed it was always quack grass that he would eat. Never any other kind. It's used as a diuretic, but he never seemed to have difficulty with that, so I never figured out why he ate only that kind.

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

We took Luna to the vet for an upset tummy and she recommended buying some pepcid AC from the drugstore (10 mg - it's an antacid) and give her 1 pill a day (she is ~35 pounds) until she feels better.  Worked like a charm, she ate her next meal!

[Bob Johnston]

We have used everything from tums for a little tummy ache to prevacid. the tums had the calcium that calm the stomach and prevacid coats it to shut off some of the acid producing glands which in turn settles the stomach. I only know the dosing for a 100 lb dogs which was 20 mg per day of prevacid and 2 tums. I think 10 mg per 50 lbs and 1 tum per 50 lbs. all of this was for an adult dog though with directions from our vet. I would call the vet first thing in the morning and see what they say. Im sure they will want you to bring him in. If you can bring a fecal sample as well as maybe some urine and anything he brings up so they can test it. best be over prepared then have to bring it back later. Is he drinking water like normal. If not try some ice cubes or frozen no sodium chicken broth in cubes to keep him hydrated.