Help! There's Grass Sticking Out of My Dog's Butt!
Or String, or Christmas Tinsel --
"They never mentioned this on Lassie," I muttered as I crouched down to see why my 6-year old British mongrel, Pony, was walking in a peculiar stride. She'd just defecated, as she normally does during a walk, but was now bunny-hopping with her rump curved to the ground. Her semi-floppy ears were flattened against her head -- a clear sign that she was unhappy.
After peering under her tail, I saw why she was so unhappy. Several long strands of poop-covered grass blades were partially sticking out of her anus. Although Pony kept on pushing, the grass just would not pass.
At times like this, there is only one thing a caring dog owner can do: Manually remove the grass blades while hoping that no one you know can see you. After six years, I've had plenty of practice. I've pulled out grass, string and parts of stuff I could not identify.
Why Do Dogs Eat This Stuff?
Pony likes to eat grass. It rarely causes her to vomit, so she apparently enjoys the taste. As a puppy, Pony ate anything her mouth came into contact with '" toys, towels, socks, bits of tree branches, cat feces, wild mice, a plastic dog training clicker and (I kid you not) a cigarette lighter. Dogs, ever the opportunistic feeders, gulp down any available object of questionable edibility.
Out in the wild or scavenging garbage dumps, dogs needed to stuff their faces whenever possible because they did not know when food would become available again. Modern pet dogs still retain this instinct, sometimes to dangerous degrees. For example, in 2005 a St. Bernard pup named Elsie swallowed a 13-inch knife. It stayed in her digestive tract for an estimated 4 days before it was detected and surgically removed.
Although I have been able to restrict Pony's diet and make sure bite-sized items are out of her reach, Pony still enjoys grazing on fresh grass. She may need the fiber and nutrients that grass provides. Because of her pony-like habit, I never use fertilizers or insecticides on my lawn. PetMD notes that if any dog, even Pony, begins to eat grass far more often than usual, she may be sick and needs to see a vet.
Removal
So you have to pull grass blades or a piece of string or something small, narrow and smooth from your dog's butt. Touching dog poop not the end of the world. If your dog is not bleeding from the anus and doesn't vocalize when you pull on the object sticking out, you should be able to safely remove the object. But if you are unsure, then please take the dog to a vet.
In this instance, I gently placed my thumb and fingers around the grass blades as close as I could to Pony's anus without pinching her. Then, gently pull. It should immediately slide out. If not, call the vet. The grass, string, or whatever, may be caught up inside of one of twists and turns of the dog's digestive tract.
Immediately after the grass blades were removed, Pony managed another small poop and raised her ears. She wagged her tail and was ready to resume her walk while I dutifully cleaned up after her. And I'll gladly do it again. It's such a small inconvenience when sharing my life with my best friend.
References
Pet MD: "Why Do Dogs Eat Grass?" http://www.petmd.com/dog/wellness/evr_dg_eating_grass
MSNBC. "Puppy swallows 13-inch knife, survives." September 25, 2005. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9460440/ns/health-pet_health/t/puppy-swallows--inch-knife-survives/
Author's personal experience
After peering under her tail, I saw why she was so unhappy. Several long strands of poop-covered grass blades were partially sticking out of her anus. Although Pony kept on pushing, the grass just would not pass.
At times like this, there is only one thing a caring dog owner can do: Manually remove the grass blades while hoping that no one you know can see you. After six years, I've had plenty of practice. I've pulled out grass, string and parts of stuff I could not identify.
Why Do Dogs Eat This Stuff?
Pony likes to eat grass. It rarely causes her to vomit, so she apparently enjoys the taste. As a puppy, Pony ate anything her mouth came into contact with '" toys, towels, socks, bits of tree branches, cat feces, wild mice, a plastic dog training clicker and (I kid you not) a cigarette lighter. Dogs, ever the opportunistic feeders, gulp down any available object of questionable edibility.
Out in the wild or scavenging garbage dumps, dogs needed to stuff their faces whenever possible because they did not know when food would become available again. Modern pet dogs still retain this instinct, sometimes to dangerous degrees. For example, in 2005 a St. Bernard pup named Elsie swallowed a 13-inch knife. It stayed in her digestive tract for an estimated 4 days before it was detected and surgically removed.
Although I have been able to restrict Pony's diet and make sure bite-sized items are out of her reach, Pony still enjoys grazing on fresh grass. She may need the fiber and nutrients that grass provides. Because of her pony-like habit, I never use fertilizers or insecticides on my lawn. PetMD notes that if any dog, even Pony, begins to eat grass far more often than usual, she may be sick and needs to see a vet.
Removal
So you have to pull grass blades or a piece of string or something small, narrow and smooth from your dog's butt. Touching dog poop not the end of the world. If your dog is not bleeding from the anus and doesn't vocalize when you pull on the object sticking out, you should be able to safely remove the object. But if you are unsure, then please take the dog to a vet.
In this instance, I gently placed my thumb and fingers around the grass blades as close as I could to Pony's anus without pinching her. Then, gently pull. It should immediately slide out. If not, call the vet. The grass, string, or whatever, may be caught up inside of one of twists and turns of the dog's digestive tract.
Immediately after the grass blades were removed, Pony managed another small poop and raised her ears. She wagged her tail and was ready to resume her walk while I dutifully cleaned up after her. And I'll gladly do it again. It's such a small inconvenience when sharing my life with my best friend.
References
Pet MD: "Why Do Dogs Eat Grass?" http://www.petmd.com/dog/wellness/evr_dg_eating_grass
MSNBC. "Puppy swallows 13-inch knife, survives." September 25, 2005. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9460440/ns/health-pet_health/t/puppy-swallows--inch-knife-survives/
Author's personal experience
Published by Rena Sherwood - Featured Contributor in Lifestyle
Rena Sherwood is a freelance writer and Peter Gabriel fan who has lived both in America and England. She has studied animals most of her life through a synthesis of direct observation and insatiable reading.... View profile
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