I'm trying to figure out if this is an indicator of something I should be concerned about. One of my beagles recently started eating leaves constantly. Anytime we take her outside she spends her time being fixated on eating every leaf off the ground she can get to. She has even started begging to go out so she can forage for leaves.

This is not something she ever did in the past. One of the issues it creates is she has a hard time pooping and occasionally needs an assist because of the leaves and their stems not fully digesting. I'm also concerned that some of the leaves she is eating are from a Chinese tallow tree, which can be toxic in certain quantities.

We haven't changed anything about her diet or activity and she's been with us for more than 12 years.

my dog is a year old and eats leafy stuff when her stomach is off ...

your situation sounds quite different and at 12 years the root cause could be similar but still of concern given that this is the first time

I'd call my vet and ask ...

Just green leaves, old brown leaves, or both?

If just green- I would suspect an upset stomach. I've had dogs over the years eat grass and stuff when their stomach is upset, often making themselves vomit after. Then they are good to go usually.

Probably worth a call to the vet if it persists.

My wife has a Pomeranian that's been a leaf eater for years. I just assumed he liked eating leaves.

Not a Vet but you might want to add green beans to her diet.

We make Sauerkraut and keep it in the fridge year round. It's legit, live culture, no cooking stuff. Whenever our dogs, or us, get stomach issues, we eat a couple spoonfuls of that and it settles stomachs and helps get things back in order. We've done that with our dogs for years and maybe a vet should chime in, but it seems to clear up most issues that are digestion related with our pups.

Always called it Pica. Can be vitamin deficiency, or just dog being bored. I had to break a pup of it eating poop. But some will eat plastic and things that can obstruct and send them to hospital for surgery!

Better keep her away from your hydroponics patch.

Wearer of the Ring said:

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Better keep her away from your hydroponics patches

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cupofjoe04 said:

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Just green leaves, old brown leaves, or both?

If just green- I would suspect an upset stomach. I've had dogs over the years eat grass and stuff when their stomach is upset, often making themselves vomit after. Then they are good to go usually.

Probably worth a call to the vet if it persists.

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Just old brown leaves.