Question:
My golden Lab eats the lumps in the kitty litter, and I am worried it will harm her. It's not a case of her being hungry; she is well-fed twice a day. Each time she gets half a can of meat chunks, about 2 cups of dry food, half a can of vegetables (carrots or green beans) and sometimes table scraps. She is 13 years old, but shows no signs of age! I read that there are studies of Rottweilers who live to be 13 and are immune to cancer. My Lab seems to be in this category. She is obedient, a good watchdog and my dear companion. She tolerates the cat indoors, but I'm afraid to let them both out in the yard at the same time, as the dog chases any creature that moves. She killed a squirrel recently. Any advice?
D.F., Silver Spring, Md Aug 30, 2010
Answer:
Your dog is old for the breed and must have some good genes! Dogs self-medicate by eating grass and soil or dirt. Your dog may be craving certain minerals in her diet. Giving her a daily (human) multimineral/multivitamin tablet or capsule that's broken up and mixed with her regular food may be what she needs. Some dogs eat cat feces they find in the litter box because they are motivated to clean up the mess, as they would with their own pups. Eating the litter itself could mean there is some abdominal discomfort, which may need to be checked, especially if other symptoms develop. Set up a low gate so the cat can jump over and use the box, but the dog cannot. More than one dog has developed acute intestinal blockage after consuming cat litter. Clay-based and especially mineral-based cat litter can also harm cats. Try changing the litter to no-clay, like the corn-based World's Best Cat Litter or Purina's Yesterday's News Paper-Based Cat Litter made from recycled newspaper (primarily harmless cellulose). Avoid all scented cat litters for cat's sake. Clap your hands or blow a whistle to scare squirrels out of the yard before your dog goes out.
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