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Eating Dandilions

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we got our whippet puppy 6 weeks ago.she is now 8 months old.

she is a lovely girl but we are having some problems with her on walks. she constantly eats the heads off dandilions. is this something she will grow out of?

are they safe to eat? at least it makes a change from the dog poo she always picks up!

she seems intent on looking for things to eat and has no interest in playing at all,even with our other dog which is a shame for both of them.

does anyone have any advise on how to get her to play and stop looking for poo and dandilions?

she does not even really interact with us :(
 
mine are going crazy for them too, ive not noticed it before but our 2 year old carnt pass one by and also noahs going crazy for them too,i think there ok cause mine havent had any reaction to them :sweating:

they are also eating those little willows that have dropped recently too :wacko:
 
Dandelion leaves can be eaten in salads - they have a diuretic action (make you pass more urine) - and the flowers are used for making wine, so I doubt they will do them any harm. A shame she doesn't want to play, I wonder why that is?
 
Suerose said:
Dandelion leaves can be eaten in salads - they have a diuretic action (make you pass more urine) - and the flowers are used for making wine, so I doubt they will do them any harm. A shame she doesn't want to play, I wonder why that is?
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Dandelions known in some areas as ****-A-Bed :D

For wine making it is said that Dandelions picked on St George's day make the best Dandelion wine.
 
ahh I see, so that's why dandelions were always called 'wee the beds' !!
 
No harm to come from eating dandelions but maybe she is lacking something in her diet??

I always find my dogs, horses, cats etc are more prone to eat odd things if they are in need of the vitamins and minerals those things provide :)

May be worth assessing her diet and altering it if needs be :thumbsup:
 
jinnyfizz said:
No harm to come from eating dandelions but maybe she is lacking something in her diet??
I always find my dogs, horses, cats etc are more prone to eat odd things if they are in need of the vitamins and minerals those things provide :)

May be worth assessing her diet and altering it if needs be :thumbsup:
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That's a good thought. I found this about what dandelion contains:

Dandelion(Taraxacum officinale)

Parts Used: leaves and root

Active Compounds (38 in number)

The principal constituents responsible for dandelion's effects are the bitter principles. Previously referred to as taraxacin, these constituents are:

* Sesquiterpene lactones

eudesmanolide, and germacranolide types.

* Triterpenes

taraxol, taraxerol, beta-amyrin

* Phytosterols

taraxasterol,stigmasterol, beta-sitosterol

* Phenolic acids

caffeic and hydroxyphenylacetic acids

* Fatty acids

myristic acid

* Carbohydrates

glucans, mannans, inulin,

* Sugars

fructose, glucose, sucrose

* Carotenoids

lutein, violaxanthin

* Flavonoids

apigenin, luteolin

* Miscellaneous

choline, mucilage, pectin

Dandelion is also a rich source of vitamins and minerals. The leaves have a very high content of vitamin A as well as moderate amounts of vitamin D, vitamin C, various B vitamins, iron, silicon, magnesium, zinc, and manganese.

The leaves are a rich source of potassium, which is interesting since the leaves are used for their diuretic action. This may make dandelion the only naturally occurring potassium-sparing diuretic, although its diuretic action is likely different from that of pharmaceuticals. At very high doses, the leaves have been shown to possess diuretic effects comparable to the prescription diuretic Furosemide (Lasix).

History

Dandelion is commonly used as a food. The leaves are used in salads and teas, while the roots are often used as a coffee substitute. Dandelion leaves and roots have been used for hundreds of years (since the 3rd century) to treat problems of the joints, liver, gallbladder, and kidneys. In some countries, dandelion is considered a blood purifier and is used for ailments such as eczema and cancer. Dandelion has also been used historically to treat poor digestion, water retention, and diseases of the liver, including hepatitis. Dandelion has two particularly important uses: to promote the formation of bile and to remove excess water from the body. The root affects all forms of secretion and excretion from the body. It acts as a tonic and stimulant by removing toxins and poisons from the body, and increases the flow of urine in patients with liver problems. It is slightly laxative.
 
Mine don't eat Dandilions but they go mad for Goosegrass/sticky weed or what ever you want to call it!! They walk along grabbing mouth fulls off the stuff!!! Only on walks though, shame they don't do it in the garden as it would save me a job!!
 
i have her on pro plan food at moment as it was recomended. she was bought as a puppy for a 14 year old boy and i gather she spent most of her time in her cage, getting out for toilet breaks.

this may be why she does not play. she probably does not know how.

i am working on keeping her away from poo but it makes walks hard work and not enjoyable for both of us.

thanks for the info on dandelions, i wont worry about them now :)
 
Blue loves eating flowers :D especially yellow ones ... he wasn't content until he'd had the head of our neighbours last remaining daffodil last year :eek:

If your girl has never experienced interaction with her previous owner she will need to learn how to play ... it might take a little time but I'm sure she'll soon get the hang of it and her life and yours will be richer for it. Blue's favourite thing in the world is a tennis ball - you could try just rolling one along the floor in the house to see if she starts to look interested in the movement, then loads of fuss if she actually goes and picks it up. Teaching her to fetch a ball would be a good way to keep her mind occupied when she's off lead on her walks - she won't be looking for poo or dandelions to eat if she's busy chasing her ball. Also, as she seems food oriented, maybe that's a good way to train her - have lots of tasty treats in your pocket and use them to reward her when she comes back when you call her or fetches her ball etc.

Blue also loves his soft toys - he doesn't destroy them, just carries them around from time to time or takes them to his bed. Sometimes he ends up with half a dozen in there! Maybe she would like a wee furry thing to cuddle up with.

What's her name? It would be lovely to see a photo of her. Good luck and I hope she starts to come out of herself soon :luck:
 
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One of our local fields is a bed of yellow dandelion flowers at the moment, but not for much longer the rate Star is going :eek: :eek:

he eats them all the time when he's free running :b

He also can't resist those little willow things that are all over the ground at the moment :wacko:
 
Hi all

My whippets have always eaten Dandelions. It is the highlight of their Spring walks!

They also love

Elm leaves (young ones)

Sticky weed

Beech nut shells and of course Brambles and raspberries.

They all seem to live to a ripe old age.

ONE WORD OF CAUTION

My vets have advised that Lungworm has now reached Scotland. They are strongly recommending regular treatment with Advocate.

This can be bought online with a vets prescription and treats most worms, fleas, ticks etc except tapeworm.

If your whippet likes to 'dine out' it is probably a wise precaution.

Will put a seperate post about Advocate online as feedback would be interesting.

Regards

eve
 
FifeJillandIan said:
Blue loves eating flowers :D especially yellow ones ... he wasn't content until he'd had the head of our neighbours last remaining daffodil last year :eek:
If your girl has never experienced interaction with her previous owner she will need to learn how to play ... it might take a little time but I'm sure she'll soon get the hang of it and her life and yours will be richer for it. Blue's favourite thing in the world is a tennis ball - you could try just rolling one along the floor in the house to see if she starts to look interested in the movement, then loads of fuss if she actually goes and picks it up. Teaching her to fetch a ball would be a good way to keep her mind occupied when she's off lead on her walks - she won't be looking for poo or dandelions to eat if she's busy chasing her ball. Also, as she seems food oriented, maybe that's a good way to train her - have lots of tasty treats in your pocket and use them to reward her when she comes back when you call her or fetches her ball etc.

Blue also loves his soft toys - he doesn't destroy them, just carries them around from time to time or takes them to his bed. Sometimes he ends up with half a dozen in there! Maybe she would like a wee furry thing to cuddle up with.

What's her name? It would be lovely to see a photo of her. Good luck and I hope she starts to come out of herself soon :luck:
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her name is tia.she was called that when we got her and we really liked it so kept it.we have a 6 year old saluki cross lurcher too and they have a mountain of toys.sometimes she will pick one up and kill it or take it to the sofa but she is not too interested in balls. my lurcher is obsessed with tennis balls so it may rub off on tia :)

at the moment they dont play together and i wish they would as the reason we got another dog was as a playmate for tip.we have our fingers crossed she will come out of her shell soon.... then i will be asking for advise on how to control an unruly dog :D i dont know how to post pics but will ask my son.
 
This is a picture of my dog tip



Testing photos heres one of tia

 
[att

achment=65156:together.JPG]

hope this is bigger :(

together.JPG
 
Awww your dogs are lovely. they look like they are really good friends so I bet it won't take long for Tia to realise that playing is fun. My 2 girls play together all the time.

My friends lurcher eats loads of dandelion flowers, he is mainly white & after a good dandelion feast he turns yellow all round his face & feet :lol:
 
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