Just wanted to get any thoughts on why my dog might be eating mulch and how I can break her of doing this.

She eats Innova for large breeds and she gets 4 cups a day.

She is 8months old.

Thanks for you help and advice in advance.



ak9training.com

you should be happy if your dog is eating..

[wishbone]

How many times do you feed him a day? Try to break feeding into smaller meals with closer time interval. Exercise is a must, walk, run or hike him for few minutes to an hour everyday so he will burn some fats.

It is good news that your dog likes to eat, surely she enjoys a good health.

Most dogs like to eat strange or yucky stuff they aren't supposed to eat, including mulch and manure. You can teach her the "leave it" command, but chances are pretty good she might still eat it when you aren't looking, if it is within her reach. Basically, the only way you will be able to break her of the habit is to keep a vigil, watching her, and discipline her each and every time you catch her attempting to eat the mulch. There are several different methods for doing this, and everyone has to choose the one they think is most suitable for them and their particular dog (just like raising human children, lol). When my dog was a puppy, she had a habit of pulling up every single plant I put into my garden-- even rose bushes!. I broke her of it by taking a hold of her scruff-- the loose baggy skin on the back of the neck-- and growling while shaking her scruff-- like a mama dog would do. Of course, I had to actually catch her in the act in order for this to work. If I didn't catch her, I did not do anything but try to save the plant. It worked after only a few "mama growls", and my garden is well established now. : )

[rayter]

the amount of what you're feeding seems okay. just make sure that he gets the necessary workout. dogs need to exercise to be healthy.

She's probably eating the stuff curiously, and I wouldn't be too concerned with the fact alone. Be careful though, since there are common plants dogs can't eat. You should establish anything other than her food bowl as off limits to her belly. Otherwise, the rule set could easily get convoluted.

[Yogi]

if you are referring to grass mulch than this is ok and is actually quite normal for dogs to do. It is usually done to help clear blockage or when they have a slight upset stomach. It helps induce vomiting that may be needed or to help with bowel movement. It is similar to humans needing fiber. Unless the grass has been treated with chemicals there should be no reason for concern.

How much of a problem this is depends a great deal on what type of mulch your dog is eating.

Mulches made from wood, like redwood or cedar mulch, can cause splinters to lodge in the dog's digestive tract. This can lead to blockage or perforations of the stomach or bowel, requiring expensive surgery. Some dogs don't survive if the bowel is perforated.

Mulches made from cocoa bean husks are as toxic as chocolate, and can make a dog really sick. Or dead.

Unless the mulch is grass clippings or leaves, I'd try my darndest to stop her. Use hot sauce, Bitter Mist, or cayenne pepper to discourage her.

Give him scheduled meals,ie twice a day,at 8 am and 7 pm. That way,he will be fed enough. If nothing helps,you could put him on a doggy diet,just see your vet about it.

I seriously doubt this has anything to do with hunger or when/how the pup is being fed. Puppies chew and eat lots of strange things. I know of a Bull Terrier pup who ate a light bulb. Whole!

Our puppy was eating mulch and throwing up . We went to the Vet and were told they actually can die from this. She also said they have done an autopsy
on several and the mulch perferated the intestines. There are also toxic dyes in many of them. We picked the mulch up around our trees in the back yard and replaced it with rock. There is something about the smell of the wood chips in mulch that they like.