Dog Community

Licking grass and a MSM deficiency???

Posted : 7/25/2008 5:02:26 PM

Miss Lexie, our shih-tzu has been licking grass when we take her outside recently. She's not eating it just seems to be licking it. Someone told my husband that this means she is deficient in MSM. Does this make sense???? She gets a multi vitamin designed for small breeds, 500 mg of cranberry, and a Lipiderm each day. I feed all home cooked foods to her. Usually chicken or turkey with some brown rice and an assortment of veggies. (Broccoli, Cauliflower, Carrots, Zucchini, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Chick peas etc.)

Has anyone ever heard of such a thing?

Thanks! Wink

jessies_mom

Posted : 7/25/2008 8:42:04 PM

I doubt if it's because of a lack of MSM; never heard that. Maybe this is the reason;

http://www.helium.com/items/65147-why-dogs-eat-grass;

" 2) Grass has scents from other dogs and wild animals that a dog can smell and often they will lick the grass to get a better idea of the scent, and if they "like" it, they will eat it."

jennie_c_d

Posted : 7/26/2008 9:12:05 PM

My dogs get MSM every day, and lick/eat grass. I think they do it because they like to!

calliecritturs

Posted : 7/27/2008 1:35:45 PM

It can't be a deficiency in MSM because it's a man-made product (a biological sulphur).

I would be very cautious -- do you put chemicals of any kind on your lawn? fertilizer, pesticide, etc? And yes -- it could be because another dog or animal was there.

nataliem

Posted : 8/3/2008 12:19:08 PM

My dog eats grass all the time, but only the wide blade grass.