two year old bichon frise

Question
When has upset tummy is desperate to eat grass to make herself sick. however, when she cant get to the grass shee pulls the hair out of her own tail and eats it.

Answer
Hi Amy,

Thank you for writing to me about your Bichon Frise's tummy problems.

It is perfectly natural for a dog to eat grass when their tummy is upset.  It is a way for them to throw up.  I have never heard of a dog pulling their own hair out to substitute for grass.

I don't know how often this is happening but if it is often, then you need to look into switching to a different brand of food like fish and potato, or even prepare real food for your dog.  There is a book that will explain all about nutrition and guide you in preparing home cooked meals called Dr. Pitcairn's Natural Health for Dogs and Cats.  You should also give your dog a digestive enzyme prior to eating a meal and mix some live culture yogurt into the food.

If the condition continues, you must discuss this with your vet.  The hair pulling can become a habit that could continue long after the tummy condition is resolved, so please nip this in the bud before that happens.

Best,

Shelley Davis