Why Schnauzers Eat Dirt, Grass, and Weeds: A Complete Guide

Sometimes Schnauzers eat weird things. During the spring and summers months, you might notice your furry friend sniffing and even eating seemingly odd things like dirt, grass, and weeds. While ingesting “natural” things from the great outdoors might seem okay and even normal, there are actually some serious causes for concern. Because there may be something to worry about, this comprehensive guide will give you the facts, causes, and solutions you need to know.

Why do Schnauzers eat dirt, grass, and weeds? Schnauzers may eat dirt due to Pica, a disease that urges animals to eat non-food items, or it may be due to anemia or a serious mineral deficiency. They may eat grass or weeds due to a nutritional deficiency, boredom, or because they like the taste. Pesticides on dirt or grass are toxic, and some weeds are poisonous to Schnauzers.

Even though dirt, grass, and weeds are all found outdoors and it seems like they should be combined into a similar list of reasons your Schnauzer might be interested, they are actually somewhat different.

A case could be made that grass and weeds might fall into the “food” category and that eating them could offer some ancestral canine nutritional value. Maybe. We’ll dive into that later in the article.

The reasons behind why your Schnauzer is eating dirt falls into a different category than why she may be eating grass or weeds, so let’s cover dirt first.

Why Do Schnauzers Eat Dirt?

All dogs, including Schnauzers, are always subject to their immense, highly developed sense of smell. It helps them navigate and learn about the world around them. (You might be interested in my article What are Schnauzer Senses Like (Compare to Humans)? for some fascinating facts.)

Sometimes, their sense of smell along with a healthy dose of curiosity gets them into trouble. For example, scent can be the motivating force behind foraging through garbage, licking dirt, and eating things they shouldn’t.

However, eating dirt isn’t necessarily normal. In fact, it is probably a strong signal that your Schnauzer is experiencing some underlying issues that need to be addressed.

If your Schnauzer is consistently eating dirt, it may be due to pica, an obsessive behavior that is either due to psychological issues or medical issues.

Let’s talk about what pica is and then take a look at the psychological and medical reasons behind it.

What is Pica in Animals?

When animals (or even humans) compulsively eat unusual non-food items, it is considered to be a psychological/behavioral or medical issue called pica.

Pica stems either from behaviors that can be modified or from medical issues that can be addressed with your veterinarian, so let’s take a look at each cause at more depth.

Medical Causes of Pica

If your Schnauzer is showing signs of pica and is obsessively trying to eat non-food items, including dirt, you will want to connect with your veterinarian for a check-up.

Pica can be a sign of serious medical issues like anemia or severe mineral deficiency. Begin with this list of medical issues and a visit to your veterinarian to either confirm or eliminate a serious health concern.

Here are several medical, non-psychological reasons Schnauzers might eat non-food items:

• Anemia (see more information below about this serious condition)
• Diabetes
• Exposure to corticosteroids or anti-seizure medication
• Hyperthyroidism
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Malnutrition or malabsorption
• Mineral deficiency
• Neurological diseases
• Parasitic infection
• Stomach tumor
• Teething (in puppies)
• Unbalanced diet
• Vitamin deficiency

Medical Solutions for Pica

If your Schnauzer is exhibiting signs of pica and you believe it’s due to an underlying medical problem, working with your veterinarian is the first thing to check off your list.

Here is a list of actions you should take:

Schedule a visit with your veterinarian. If there are any signs that your Schnauzer is suffering from pica due to an underlying medical condition, call your veterinarian immediately. Pica can be due to anemia or rare iron or mineral deficiencies. It can, on rare occasions, also be due to severe, life-threatening anemia secondary to immune-mediated hemolytic anemia.

Keep an eye on your Schnauzer’s gums. Pale or yellow gums are a distinct sign of anemia as well as additional serious problems, and she will need immediate medical attention.

Double-check your Schnauzer’s diet. If you are offering your Schnauzer either a homemade diet or a raw food diet, be sure to have it assessed for critical trace minerals and vitamins. While both diets are popular and have many merits, they can also be deficient in some of the essential nutrients your Schnauzer needs.

In fact, Schnauzer’s nutritional needs are different enough from human’s needs that you will absolutely want to offer an AAFCO balanced diet. These requirements ensure that all canine nutritional needs are met. In addition to cooking for your Schnauzer, there are many nutritional prepared meal options available.

Stay alert for additional symptoms. Pica can develop out of several medical issues. Whether it stems directly from a severe nutritional deficiency or from a secondary stress or anxiety reaction, multiple symptoms are never a good sign. See your veterinarian if your Schnauzer seems to have pica along with a decreased appetite, weight loss, and lethargy.

Behavioral Causes of Pica

If an underlying medical condition has been ruled out as the cause of your Schnauzer’s pica, you can breathe a sigh of relief.

Most cases of pica are actually caused by psychological problems that can be addressed through training and other methods of behavior modification.

Here are several psychological reasons why your Schnauzer might suffer from pica:

• Anxiety, particularly separation anxiety
• Attention-seeking
• Agitation or frustration
• A need for mental or physical stimulation
• Depression
• Incomplete socialization
• Stress

Behavioral Solutions for Pica

Schnauzers should be trained and socialized early in their lives, preferably as puppies. They are highly intelligent, and they and will “learn” whether they are trained or not. This means that without solid, consistent training and socialization, your Schnauzer will develop behaviors and habits that are not in her best interest.

An untrained, unsocialized Schnauzer can become very stressed, and will often look for outlets that may be destructive…either to herself or to her surroundings, one of which might be a disorder like pica.

Here are some solutions for behavioral reasons behind pica:

Work with a trained canine behaviorist. You will want to talk with your veterinarian about your Schnauzer’s pica symptoms. However, if the underlying problem is essentially psychological you will want to work directly with a canine behaviorist to address the issues. While the behaviorist field is currently unregulated, this article from The American Kennel Club has some solid ideas and resources for finding one that is right for you.

Consider doggy daycare or organized play dates. Doggy daycare may help with socialization and further prevent boredom or anxiety if no one is home during the day. Again, The American Kennel Club provides an article detailing how to find the right daycare for your Schnauzer.

Increase physical and mental stimulation. Schnauzers are high-energy, intelligent dogs. This combination of traits requires attention, engagement, and physical exercise. Read my articles Are Schnauzers Smart? (How to Tell and 5 At-Home Tests) and What are the Best Sports for Schnauzers? for ideas and facts that will help.

In addition, you may want to check out the resources I use to keep our Livi mentally and physically busy. We have a strong collection of Nina Ottoson’s treat puzzles (Livi has progressed from beginner to advanced levels and loves them), interactive toys (Livi’s current favorite is the Bob-A-Lot), and snuffle mats (Livi’s current go-to mat is the Wooly Snuffle Mat. In fact, she loves to forage for her kibble from the mat more than she is interested in eating from her bowl). We also love agility sets and going on long walks to burn off Livi’s excess energy and redirect it positively.

Offer durable chew toys. You can keep your Schnauzer occupied with a safe alternative to eating dangerous non-food items. All Schnauzers can be chewers, but Standard and Giant Schnauzers can be especially destructive to themselves and their surroundings if they are looking for a chewing outlet. Pica can become a problem if their urge is not safely channeled. These heavy-duty chew toys may help.

Use a bitter spray deterrent. There are many effective sprays available on the market, and you can also make your own deterrent with two parts apple cider vinegar mixed with one part white vinegar.

Consider additional stress reducers. There are plenty of safe herbal remedies you could consider (we even use this calming dry shampoo for Livi while I give her a massage), as well as weighted blankets or vests that can provide your Schnauzer with comfort and help to reduce anxiety. As strange as it may sound, pheromone diffusers can release safe approximations of the pheromones your Schnauzer’s mother released and can be effectively soothing. All of the resources above are available on Amazon, and you may also want to read my article  Is My Schnauzer Stressed? How to Tell and What to Do for additional stress-reducing strategies.

Now that we’ve addressed the psychological and medical reasons behind pica, which can explain why your Schnauzer might be eating dirt, let’s consider reasons why she might be eating grass and weeds.

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Why Do Schnauzers Eat Grass and Weeds?

First, the tendency to eat grass or weeds is not technically in the same category as pica. Grass and weeds could be considered to be food, so they are outside of the “non-food” category.

So, Why the Interest in Grass and Weeds?

A Schnauzer might be interested in eating grass or weeds for various reasons.

For example, similar to the medical and nutritional reasons behind pica, it can be due to a nutritional deficiency. In addition, believe it or not, your Schnauzer may simply like the taste of grass or weeds. And, of course, sheer boredom or curiosity are always possibilities. It’s not yet clear whether they eat grass or weeds to make themselves vomit or to soothe their stomachs.

Although eating weeds and grass is often not a serious problem, some weeds and grasses are poisonous to pets and might also contain pesticides or other toxic agents used at home to maintain lawns. We’ll cover that in just a minute.

Causes of an Interest in Grass and Weeds

The underlying cause of your Schnauzer’s interest in grass, weeds, or even outdoor herbs or other plants may be a nutritional deficiency. More often than not, however, it’s probably due to psychological issues that result in the behavior.

While the specific reasons that canines eat grass and weeds vary from one situation to another, here are some of the common possibilities:

Nutritional deficiency. Schnauzers may eat grass and weeds as a way to shore up possible nutritional deficiencies. Again, the best way to ensure that your Schnauzer is getting the right nutrition she requires is to feed her an AAFCO balanced diet along with supplements she might need. Contact your veterinarian before making any drastic diet changes or including new supplements.

Gastrointestinal upsets. Schnauzers might eat grass and weeds as a way of relieving stomach upsets like bloating, canine nausea, and gas, or as a natural technique to enhance digestion. To avoid stomach upsets feed her a high-fiber diet and make sure she drinks plenty of water. If your Schnauzer vomits regularly or has other symptoms such as lethargy or a fever, see your veterinarian. You may also want to read my articles Why Does My Schnauzer Have a Fever (And What to Do) and How Do I Take My Schnauzer’s Temperature (Basic Steps) for essential details.

Boredom. Sometimes Schnauzers eat grass and weeds out of sheer boredom. This behavior is usually common in young Schnauzers and puppies with high energy requirements like the entire Schnauzer breed. To alleviate the boredom, offer toys that match her play style and ensure that she gets enough exercise every day. All of the resources listed above in our discussion of pica are all great options.

Curiosity. Schnauzers are an intelligent, curious breed. Their nose is one of their primary windows to the world and sometimes the scent of anything outdoors will pique their curiosity. Again, puppies are probably the most susceptible to the type of curiosity that would lead to eating grass and weeds.

She likes the taste. Various types of grasses and “weeds” are edible and even palatable to humans. Many of us like (or at least tolerate) the slightly earthy, bitter taste of several plants. Just like you, perhaps your Schnauzer has actually developed a taste for grass or certain weeds. Just be sure they aren’t poisonous or sprayed with pesticides (see the list below).

Canine History. The ancestors of the modern dog, and current wild canines as well, are believed to have consumed their prey completely, including the stomach contents of plant-eating animals. They are also known to eat berries, fruits, and many other plants. Therefore, eating grass and weeds is possibly a genetically a normal thing. This theory has not been necessarily proven, but it makes logical sense. There could very well be a long-standing genetic reason your Schnauzer has a taste for grass and weeds.

Solutions for Grass- and Weed-Eating

While eating grass is most likely harmless, it may have pesticides that are definitely toxic. In addition, some weeds are fine while others are poisonous.

In an effort to play it safe, it seems wise to generally keep your Schnauzer from eating grass and weeds.

These suggestions are similar to those regarding pica above, with a few additions:

Visit your veterinarian. If your Schnauzer seems overly obsessed with eating weeds, grass, and other plants or herbs, it could be time for a visit with your veterinarian. She can follow up with an examination and additional tests that may help to diagnose the problem.

Increase physical and mental stimulation. Keep your intelligent, active Schnauzer busy with exercise and mental games.

Offer durable chew toys. Give her other things to chew on, eat, and be entertained by besides outdoor options.

Consider additional stress reducers. If the interest in leafy, grassy, weedy things seems to be an outlet for anxiety or stress, consider the product stress-busters listed above and, again, read my article Is My Schnauzer Stressed? How to Tell and What to Do.

Keep an eye on her during walks and hikes. Our Livi loves to sniff and nibble on many types of plants, vegetation, and weeds during her daily walks. Because we can’t identify most of them, we simply gently use the leash to keep her from eating anything.

Know which weeds, plants, and outdoor products are poisonous. While you may not need to memorize everything on the list, you should definitely at least know the danger level of plants, herbs, and weeds at your home and around your neighborhood or walking/hiking trails. You should also know which common household garden products are poisonous.

I’ve provided a list below, and you will also want to read These Household Products and Plants Will Kill Your Schnauzer. At the risk of seeming overly dramatic, these items are truly dangerous for your Schnauzer.

What Are the Dangerous Pesticides and Toxins?

We all go to great lengths to ensure the best life for our Schnauzers, but there are health hazards all around us. Common products are often the most dangerous because we forget about the effect they can have on our pets.

The following is a list of the common and potentially toxic agents you might be using:

Lawn fertilizers. Even if you do not utilize chemical-based fertilizers on your lawn, your neighbors may. Canines are more vulnerable to lawn chemicals, especially those that eat grass occasionally. When consumed, lawn-care fertilizers can cause stomach upsets and poisoning to your Schnauzer.

Garden insecticides and herbicides. Insects, herbicides, granules, and sprays are normally used in gardens and lawns without considering the effects these types of chemicals might have on pets. These chemicals are toxic and might be lethal to Schnauzers if ingested.

Rat Poisons. The toxins in rodent poisons are just as fatal to Schnauzers are they are to rats. In addition, of your Schnauzer gives in to her hunting urges and kills a rat or even simply finds a dead one, she is also also at risk for ingesting some of the poison.

De-icing salts. These products are used to melt ice and snow in homes, but they usually pose a risk to pets. When your Schnauzer licks or eats grass from places treated with these de-icing salts, she can become very ill.

Antifreeze. Many anti-freeze formulations used nowadays comprise ethylene glycol, which is the primary ingredient. Ethylene glycol has a sweet smell that attracts animals, but it’s deadly even when ingested in small amounts.

Which Grasses and Weeds are Poisonous?

There are more than 700 plants that have been identified as being poisonous to canines according to statistics, which means that these plants produce high amounts of toxic elements that cause harmful effects in Schnauzers.

Here is a comprehensive list of some of the most common plants that have already been documented to cause severe reactions in Schnauzers:

• Aloe
• Asparagus fern
• Amaryllis
• Azalea
• Boston ivy
• Chrysanthemum
• Caladium
• Daffodil
• Dieffenbachias
• Dumbcane
• Delphinium
• English holly
• Elephant’s ear
• Foxglove
• Ivy
• Jasmine
• Jade plant
• Jerusalem cherry
• Japanese plum
• Lilies
• Larkspur
• Morning glory
• Mistletoe
• Oleander
• Philodendrons
• Periwinkle
• Privet
• Poinsettia
• Sago palm
• Wisteria
• Tulips

How to Tell If Your Schnauzer Has Been Poisoned

Even if you keep a good eye on your Schnauzer, she may get into something when you are not looking. It’s entirely possible for her to polish off a weed or plant in secrecy.

There is a wide array of symptoms and signs that can alert you to poisoning.

Because poisoning symptoms are known to progress quickly, and ultimately cause death, you should contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your Schnauzer has been poisoned.

Common poisoning symptoms include:

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Drooling
• Neurological symptoms like seizures
• Tremors
• Lethargy
• Twitching
• Irregular heartbeats
• Loss of blood like nose bleeding and bloody stool

Steps to Take if Your Schnauzer Has Been Poisoned

If your Schnauzer eats or is exposed to something poisonous, her symptoms may escalate quickly and you will need to know what to do.

Learning these steps, or keeping them handy, may even save your Schnauzer’s life.

Here are the simple, but critical steps you should follow:

1. Forget everything you know	If your Schnauzer has ingested a toxic substance, you should forget everything you know about what you should do in such a scenario. Avoid any DIY dog first aid, unless you have talked your veterinarian and have been asked to take action. What works for one type of poison can cause severe damage to your Schnauzer if he has been exposed to another type of poison.
2. Take your Schnauzer away from the toxic substance	If you see your Schnauzer ingesting something potentially poisonous, you should immediately either get the toxic substance away from your Schnauzer or move him away from the poison.
3. Call your veterinarian	Call your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your Schnauzer has taken something poisonous. Again, if you know what he ingested, the vet should be able to tell you whether it’s toxic or not, and the next step you should take.
4. Take a sample to your veterinarian	It’s most likely that your veterinarian will ask you to bring your Schnauzer to their emergency room. You should carry the packaging or a sample of the substance that your Schnauzer has ingested. If you are not sure what your pet has eaten, but they’ve vomited, you can carry a sample of their vomit because it might be beneficial in diagnosing the pet and help in the treatment plan as well.

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Treatments for Poisoning

If you know what your Schnauzer has ingested, take a sample of it to your veterinarian, as mentioned in the steps above.

Your veterinarian will assess the condition of your Schnauzer before settling on a suitable treatment plan. The priority of your vet will be to stabilize your Schnauzer before carrying out any procedures or diagnostic tests.

The treatment of poisoning can be range from remove and endoscopy, inducing sickness, or surgical procedures in severe cases.

There are some antidotes available for some poisons, including antifreeze and some rat poisons. In most cases, your Schnauzer’s symptoms will be treated to make sure their organs are not adversely affected.

Should I Contact the Veterinarian if My Schnauzer Continues Eating Grass and Weeds?

Unless your Schnauzer has actually ingested a toxic substance on your grass or has eaten a poisonous weed, herb, or plant, she should be okay.

However, even though healthy, clean grass doesn’t harm her, you should immediately contact your veterinarian if you realize that:

• Your Schnauzer’s interest in grass or weeds has become excessive
• Your Schnauzer is eating grass and appears unwell or doesn’t seem to be herself
• Your Schnauzer is eating grass and weeds, but avoiding her usual food
• Your Schnauzer is repeatedly eating weeds and grass and then vomiting after a couple of hours

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While eating grass is not inherently unhealthy or uncommon for your Schnauzer, most grass nowadays does not exactly offer a clean, safe meal. Most lawns are either directly treated using chemical sprays or pesticides, or come into contact with some toxic treatments, which can be quite damaging to your Schnauzer’s health.

Furthermore, the grass is a common breeding area for intestinal parasites, which can endanger the health of your Schnauzer. Parasites are popularly found in the grasses and can eventually cause digestive distress, which drives many Schnauzers to eat grass and weeds in the first place.

While most plants contain healing and medicinal properties, others might induce some life-threatening symptoms in Schnauzers when ingested in large or even small quantities.

Ultimately, you should keep your Schnauzer safe by ensuring that the nature they encounter doesn’t harm them but will heal them.

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