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Why Does My Corgi Eat Grass?

Why Does My Corgi Eat Grass?

You will surely encounter many unusual habits your dog picks up during his lifetime. From the way they play with toys and sleeping positions to what they consume. It may not be all clear to you at first, but most of these habits are temporary and not dangerous.

One of the habits is munching on some grass from time to time. It might not catch your attention the first time, but if this turns into a habit, you might start to wonder – why does my corgi eat grass? Is this something I should be worried about? Most of the dogs you know love to munch on some extra treats, but grass? 

If you are feeling concerned about your dog’s health and well-being and trying to figure out if this habit is dangerous and how to stop your dog from doing this in the future, continue reading this article. We will explain why your corgi likes to spend some extra time in your backyard picking grass.

Why Grass?

Okay, it’s official. Your corgi is spending quite some time in your backyard, and every time you take a quick look, he is munching on some grass. This surely makes you wonder, is everything okay with my dog?

Everything is fine with your corgi, and there are a couple of reasonable explanations for why he is choosing this green “dish” instead of some tasty dog treats.

The first reason has to do with the environment. Remember, these are herding dogs we are talking about, and they used to be domestic animals like cows and sheep all the time, and what do these animals do? Graze grass.

Spending an awful lot of time around animals whose primary meal is going to the meadow might have influenced your corgi more than enough. It wouldn’t be strange at all that he started thinking he is one of them, and therefore should eat the same “food”.

The second reason is that he has not been adequately trained while he was still a puppy. This means that either the breeder or you haven’t cleared the theme of what is food and what is not food. And we all know that this is tricky, especially with stubborn dogs like this. They will chew on anything they lay their eyes on, even grass.

The third and last reason why your corgi is eating on grass is that he has some health issues, and grass helps him cope with the sickly feeling. The grass actually contains “relieving properties” and causes your corgi to barf. After a few times, he might register this as negative and stop consuming it. 

Anyways, grass-eating is more common for young corgis rather than adults. So, by the age of one, your corgi should grow out of this phase. If not, then it’s up to you to make sure he does.

NOTE: No matter if your corgi is a frequent grass eater or not, a quick visit to the vet’s office won’t hurt. Besides, the grass is home to other animals as well – and not the good ones your dog should be near to.

Make This Habit Go Away

Are there any proven and reliable methods that can make a habit of eating grass gone completely? Sure, there are a couple of ways you can prevent your dog from unnecessarily grazing grass.

The most reliable way of teaching your corgi that grass is not the food for him is by turning to commands like “leave it” or “no”. You need to put emphasis on the negative tone in your voice when you catch them in the act of eating. But don’t be too harsh on them. 

This is something that should be learned and practiced from the very moment they come through your house door. If you are living in a house with a backyard, there is a high probability that your dog will try to nibble on some plants. 

Another way of handling this habit is tightening the leash a bit when you go to the park. This is not advisable because the dog will feel extremely uncomfortable, and it is simply not the right thing to do. However, if your dog really can’t seem to control himself, you will have to practice this. Drastic times call for drastic measures.

About 25% of corgis will throw up the grass they eat, but what about the other 75%? It would be best if you took your corgi to the vet to get examined. Like we said before, maybe this is just a sign of an inadequate diet (lack of vitamins and nutrients), and you don’t have to tighten the leash, just be a bit more attentive. 

Small Tips For Training

If you want to avoid your corgi getting caught up in some bad habits like eating grass, you need to pay close attention to your training methods. The key to a well-behaved corgi is starting your training on time and sticking to the rules

Corgis are natural herding dogs, and they are used to a lot of activity, but it is your job to manage it so that you don’t end up with a hyperactive and ill-behaved dog.

Here are some tips for when you start training your corgi:

  • Start the training while they are still puppies
  • Get them used to regular grooming and bathing
  • Reward them with treats for good behavior
  • Remain consistent while teaching them tricks

On the other hand, here are some things you should avoid at all costs:

  • Leaving them alone for an entire day
  • Raising your voice at them during training
  • Skipping vaccination and vet appointments
  • Overfeeding them

The Side-Effects

Although a small amount of grass won’t hurt your corgi, if he starts eating it on a more profound level – like he eats his treats – then we have a problem. An excessive amount of grass in your corgi’s organism can cause some unpleasant side-effects.

The red flags should go up when you come across the following:

  • Grass in your corgi’s stool
  • Change in behavior
  • Constant vomiting

Your corgi might start having troubles with their stool, and if you take a closer look and spot some grass, then there is definitely something wrong. They have been eating the grass so often that it now poses a health threat. 

Take your corgi to the vet immediately. Your corgi might be suffering from a serious disease. 

Some owners claim that they have noticed some changes in their corgi’s behavior after they have been eating grass for a longer period of time. Although there is no scientific evidence that grass influences the mental state of a dog, it is possible.

What about the constant vomiting? Earlier, we have mentioned that corgis tend to eat grass because they find it “relieving” but still throw up afterward. What’s that all about?

It can be anything – pesticides, bugs, or just the strong substances you have been using to spray your grass with. There are many more miniature threats than you can imagine. If this is the case, then take it as a sign to do something about your corgi’s diet.

Start including more vitamins or making more nutritious meals. This is a dog that loves to eat.

Play-Time On The Grass

Watching your corgi eat grass should not be the only outdoor activity. You can throw in some games in your backyard and enjoy a sunny day with your dog. Besides the well-known Tug Of War, there are other ideas to keep your dog interactive:

  • Hide & Seek: Just like you used to play hide and seek with your friends when you were young, you can do it with your dog now, but there is one minor catch. In order for this game to go according to plan, your dog must master the command “STAY”. You get the point. 
  • Scavenger hunt: Your dog would absolutely love this! It’s like an upgraded version of hide and seek, alongside with the benefits of improving your dog’s problem-solving skills. All you need to do is grab a handful of your dog’s favorite items (including treats and toys) and hide them all over your backyard. After all of them are hidden away, say “let’s find” and start the scavenger hunt with your dog. But be careful not to hype him up too much. You might end up losing some of your garden plants. 
  • Flirt pole: Flirt pole is just another name for chase stick, and this is one of the classics. Still, it helps you improve your dog’s obedience and attention. All you need is a wooden stick and a big backyard. When you throw the stick, say “GET”, and when he brings it to you, he should learn to hand it over without nibbling on it – so you say “DROP”.
  • Puzzle toys: Another fun game you can play with your pup includes “puzzle toys”. For this, you will actually have to purchase a puzzle toy at the pet shop. There are different puzzle toys for different breeds, and don’t worry about the price – they are affordable. Once you get them, fill them up with some of your dog’s favorite things, let the toy roll and watch your dog go.

Going hiking, jogging, camping or taking part in some sporting events is the right choice for those who like to enjoy a sunny day in a wider green area. 

Corgis are dogs that need a lot of exercise on a daily basis. You will need to set aside at least an hour to two for physical activity with your corgi.

Your corgi can go a long distance, so there should be no problem in bringing him with you on a hiking adventure this weekend. This breed can walk between 6 and 8 miles daily, but the paste can’t be too fast – take it slow and enjoy nature.

Another great way of spending time with your corgi out in the green is by going on a morning jog together. This doesn’t include fast running, and he will gladly follow you.

What about sporting events? A majority of them are organized during summer, and this is a great way to include your corgi in some extra-sporting activities. This will undoubtedly contribute to his training, and he might end up learning some new things.

Although the emphasis here is on the physical, we shouldn’t neglect the importance of good mental exercise

Corgis are very intelligent dogs, and you should challenge them mentally from time to time. This means buying some smart dog toys, teaching him new tricks, or just going on exploration walks – no matter what you choose, he will gladly take part in it.

Tidy Up The Garden

The way you take care of the garden can actually explain a lot of your pup’s behavior. If you are a pet owner, then it should be your responsibility to provide a healthy and clean environment for your dog to play in. 

For people who live in houses, this means mowing the lawn and regularly watering it. Your backyard should be a safe space for your corgi.

Different rules apply for different seasons. Let’s take a quick look:

  • During Winter, there is actually not much you can do about this. Although your corgi might not be able to munch on some grass, he will love to spend some rolling around in the snow, and who can blame him? However, although there is not much greenery surrounding you now, watch out for icicles hanging on trees and gutters.
  • Ah, Spring! The most beautiful time of the year – everything is coming back to life, and your corgi ready to take full advantage of the spacious outdoors. While they are thinking about running around all day, you need to figure out a smart way to make your backyard look nice again. You can do this by mowing it and using some high-quality fertilizer. During spring, time is of the essence, and you don’t want your backyard to look like a mess.
  • Summer calls for sprinklers. The Sun is certainly not backing down, and the grass in your backyard needs to stay fresh. Try turning on the sprinklers: once in the morning and once in the evening. Maybe even let your corgi run around while they are working.
  • Last but not least, Fall. Falling leaves may look nice, but they are not so good for your grass. That’s why you should gather them into a pile and cross the lawn with a lawnmower once. But be careful, when your corgi sees this pile – he might run right into it.

Conclusion

If you are a corgi owner living in a house, there might be instances where you see your corgi munching on some grass in the backyard. At first, it might not seem like a big deal, but if this continues, you start to feel worried if everything is okay with my corgi?

Everything is fine with your dog. Grass eating is not such a strange habit after all, and there are a couple of reasons why pets do this. For example, they can start eating it out of pure curiosity, get bored and stop. As for the corgi breed, in particular, they are known as herding dogs. Being around so many domestic animals who graze grass daily, your corgi could have developed this habit by just being in their company. 

On a more serious note, dogs can eat grass when they are feeling sick. Some dogs just throw up the grass after some time, but others develop symptoms like grass in their stool or constant vomiting. If you notice this, go straight to the vet.

Eating grass should stop after your corgi has passed one year of age. If it doesn’t, then it’s up to you to make this habit go away. Most owners do it by including commands like “leave it” or “no”.

If you don’t want your corgi to get used to habits like this one, you should consider starting training early – while they are still a puppy. Some of the worst habits develop during the first year of your dog’s life, and after that, you can have trouble getting rid of them. Be consistent and patient with your corgi, reward him for good behavior, and don’t skip any vet appointments.

Besides eating it, you can do a lot of fun activities with your corgi on the grass. You can play hide and seek, scavenger hunt, or flirt pole. Your corgi will also enjoy hiking, jogging, camping or participating in some sporting events. 

Taking care of your garden also means taking care of your dog’s environment. So, if you have a house with a spacious backyard, you should learn to take care of it during all four seasons. This means regular watering, mowing, using goof fertilizer, and turning on the sprinklers from time to time.