[Lesley Silvester]

Can anybody suggest a way of stopping my OH's retired guide dog (labrador) from eating the compost in my pots? The vet doesn't seem to see it as a problem - just said maybe he likes the taste - but I can't see that it can be good for him and it certainly isn't good for my plants. I lost nearly a trough of lamb's lettuce and now he has discovered that there is more in the patio greenhouse. It's only plastic covered and had a tiny hole in the seam which he has enlarged a lot. I sealed it and he has now opened the zip, splitting the plastic at the same time.


I'm at a loss to know what to do. I can't always be there when he's let outside and OH doesn't know he's doing it, of course.

[doganjo]

It's the taste - I now have a lawn with 24 holes in it    - puppy started it and the others are all digging now - they eat the grass roots and earth.

Can't you build a run for him?

[Lesley Silvester]

The dogs have a run of sorts as they only get to use the patio as that is fenced. It's also a useful place to keep plants in pots but I'm obviously going to have to rethink that for next year. It's strange because he's only started doing it this year and I've always had tomatoes in pots on the patio.

[doganjo]

Obvious question is have you changed his food but i'm sure you know that.

[pgkevet]

How about watering with some hot pepper sauce for a few days? I can't see it doing the plants any harm.

[SophieLeeds]

Our dogs are the same - third year running they've eaten my sunflowers  Got a real taste for peas too this year, picked every damn one - and now making an attack on the plum trees!

Any remedy you can find I'd be interested to know!

[Mammyshaz]

MGoM, not to worry you but iif it has just started in an old dog and is out of character it may be worth asking your vet to run some routine blood tests. Pica ( eating inedible matter) can be a sign of some underlying medical problems in the older dog. May also just be taking a sudden interest in why you are interested in your compost and plants so much 

[Lesley Silvester]

dognjo, he's on Eukanuba light which is what GDBA supply for him and hasn't been changed in years.


SophieLeeds, I wouldn;t be so bothered if he took the odd plant but he's not interested in what's growing, just what it's growing in.


Mammyshaz, we took him to the vet who said that it probably wasn't anything much. He did find something in his abdomen which concerned him a bit so he had him in for a day of tests and xrays but that found nothing. However, there was a concern that his urine is too dilute so they have tested it since and still not worried but they are keeping an eye on him as it could be due to something with a long name that I can't remember now.


I have now barricaded the greenhouse so he can't get in there. Of course, it makes it a pain when I want to water the pots. I'm planning on having a lean-to greenhouse fitted for next year and that will have glass doors which should stop him.

[devonlady]

My dogs eat much worse than that! I've given up looking

[Backinwellies]

Just checking ... the compost doesn't contain cocoa mulch does it (used as an alternative to peat sometimes) .....  dogs have died from eating this .......... surprised the vet didn't mention it.

[Mammyshaz]

Is the condition mentioned hyperadrenocorticism (cushings)? The symptoms, thinning hair,  dilute urine and hunger often with pica are signs. Sometimes enlarged abdomen (potbelly appearance).
Glad the vet is keeping watch.   

[farmvet]

I agree with backinwellies, there's something in your compost such as cocoa or citrus pulp making it tasty. maybe try speaking to the manufacturers? would a thin layer of bark , mulch or stone over the compost work?

[doganjo]

Just to make you all peuk - my 9 month old pup will make a grand Mum when she's older - she 'tidies up' after the others sometimes.  Thankfully not all the time or at least I don't think so - I just don't watch any more.
(where's the 'disgusted' button, Dan?  )

[SallyintNorth]

Annie, I had a big black Bitzer bitch whose nickname was 'John'.  :yeuk:

[Lesley Silvester]

The compost is the stuff that councils make from what they collect in green bins so I think it's unlikely to contain cocoa. It's called New Horizons and I have googled it but can only find suppliers and no information on it.


Mammyshaz, it is cushings that the vet is keeping and eye on him for. He is due for his six month check up soon so he will be looked at again. He is moulting a lot but no sign of the hair thinning. In fact, he looks very well.