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My dog eats sticks & berries outside

19 9:25:45

Question
My 1 1/2 yr old Maltese 9lb rescue dog is a very healthy happy dog eating a good quality food that she loves (Blue Buffalo for small dogs). The problem is that when she goes out in our fenced yard she eats a lot of sticks and berries (non-poisonous)in the yard. We live in a forest and have a natural pine straw yard with a small grass patch. She loves to go out and play with the cat but the eating of non-food objects is a concern. Otherwise she's very healthy and happy. Should we be concerned about this?

Answer
I grit my teeth a lot over what all our puppies find to eat out in the yard.  Sticks, berries, acorns, what the squirrels leave of walnuts, and the buffet that becomes available in the fall when I open the fence between the yard and garden.  I am careful to keep the fenced area clear of lumber scraps more likely to splinter than sticks and plastic that might cause a blockage.  I just don't think you can keep a yard clear of everything a dogs shouldn't eat.  Some of them eat rocks.  Do what you can and hope for the best.