Dog waking at night to eat grass.

[Triostar]

My very chilled out dog (18 months) has started to wake at night desperate to be let out to eat grass in the garden.

During the day she is fine, eats well, doesn't eat grass and is very playful. However, she has developed this habit at night. She doesn't settle until she goes out, scratches at the door and barks until someone takes her out.

Anyone had anything similar?

My dog will do this early in the morning sometimes, usually when she is feeling sick. I have heard it said it's because they are unwell or lacking some nutrient in their diet. Mine will also try to eat soil sometimes.

My dog doesn't do this exactly but she does eat grass when she needs to poo.

How often does the dog get fed and what is the last feeding time of the day?

My dog is obsessed with grass! It started after her season at 7 months and she's 16 months now. She doesn't bark to go out onto the garden to eat it or anything but she's a right pain on walks.

She will be happily trotting along beside me then as soon as she sees a few blades of long grass she suddenly lunges, pulls one out and eats it and will actually choke herself on it sometimes. I can actually spot the type of grass she's going to lunge it before she does it so I can prevent it most of the time but she does have a preference, it's only the really long blades the council have missed, never short grass. I think she's part goat.

Have you tried giving her a last meal before bed? My beagle used to do this and it was because he was hungry and felt sick.

He now gets a small handful of kibble at bedtime and hasn't done it since.

Yes, this.
I save back a small amount of my dogs last meal to give him at bedtime and he no longer does this

Reviving this because my dog is doing the same. She started last year, but a course of omeprazole plus the introduction of late night snacks seemed to cure it; she only had one episode in seven months. However, this year it started again, and this time several courses of omeprazole plus the late suppers (which she’s been having all along) don’t seem to be working. We’ve been back to the vet several times, and he says she’s perfectly healthy otherwise - she certainly seems to be during the day - so I’d be awfully grateful if anyone here has found another solution?

It was 3am this morning! I never get back to sleep because I worry so much!

My dog did this since she was young - she's 11 now. She also used to wander about during the night and couldn't get comfortable. About a year ago she was diagnosed with pancreatitis. I'm not saying that every dog that eats grass has it but I wish I'd got my dog checked for it earlier. The vet just needs to do a blood test. I feel really guilty that she's probably been in pain for years. She is now on a special low fat diet and doesn't eat grass any more. If your dog eats grass a lot if might be worth getting pancreatitis ruled out.

Wow, thanks so much for answering, and so quickly. It’s really kind of you. I certainly will suggest that to the vet - it would be marvellous if just a(nother) change of diet (I’ve tried one or two) would sort it out.

If it’s not too much trouble, would you mind saying what you are feeding her now?

Thanks again.

Same as @Yourownpersonaljesus
And the same terrible feeling of guilt.

Can only second getting the vet to check for pancreatitis @Terfenheimerama
Have a look for suitable foods but in the meantime I'd try a super low-fat diet such as white fish and a little pumpkin or sweet potato.
If her tummy is gurgling and her stools are loose then a digestive supplement might help - clay, marshmallow root, tree barks... have a look on natural pet sites but definitely go back to the vet and ask for pancreatitis test. Best of luck.

Hi. This was my thread and sorry for not thanking those who responded before.
I read all the responses and we ended up cutting out chicken from her diet (which is raw food). Made a huge difference to her. Can't remember the last time we had late night grass eating.
The only downside is that she is a school dog and comes to school with me and chicken was an easy lunch as I wouldn't take raw food in, so that is a bit difficult.....

Two votes for pancreatitis! Thank you both for being so helpful.

And thanks for the no-chicken suggestion too.

@Terfenheimerama I am currently feeding her this: https://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/hills-prescription-diet-i-d-low-fat-digestive-care-dry-adult-dog-food-chicken-4kg - as recommended by the vet. She is doing fine on it but I am in the process of gradually changing over to this: https://www.fish4dogs.com/superior-salmon-weight-control-senior. The fat content is about the same as the Hills. It works out slightly cheaper, the ingredients look better and I really like the company (been buying treats from them for years). Fish4Dogs also sell some very low fat treats - sea jerky and dried white fish cubes - which my dog loves.

Once again, that’s so kind - I really appreciate your help.

Thank you!