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.One thing many people have asked me is why dogs eat grass, and some owners have even tried to stop the dog
So why do dogs eat grass?
To be perfectly honest, I don’t know, and it would seem that no one else does. One thing we do know is that grass is mainly water, although it also contains carbohydrates and has low quantities of other nutrients like protein, amino acids, vitamins, etc…….…
Over the years, I have studied various online dog owner groups and spoken to vets. This article provides insight into my understanding of why dogs eat grass.
Dogs like the taste and texture of grass
“Dogs eat grass purely because they like the taste”. Certain grasses taste sweet, and dogs seem to look for specific grasses.
So when you are out and your dog is leisurely sniffing the grass and selecting what shoots to pursue, it probably enjoys the taste and texture.
They do not just eat any old grass; it always seems to be new shoots that they go for. So maybe there is something about the taste or the texture they find enjoyable, and they choose their blade of grass by smell and taste.
It’s a natural supplement for dogs.
“Dogs eat grass as a nutritional supplement”. I’m not convinced about this one, as dogs with a well-balanced diet still eat grass.
It is thought that because the grass is rich in fibre, it may be lacking in the diet.
There is some evidence behind this. In 2007, the Veterinary Medical School revealed, after some research, that a poodle had been eating grass and then vomiting for seven years. The poodle’s owner then switched its diet to a high-fibre diet—the result. After three days on the new diet, the dog stopped eating grass.
This indicates that the poodle was eating grass because he needed more fibre in his diet.
However, as I said, I am not convinced. I have had dogs on a high-quality, well-balanced diet, and they still eat grass.
In any event, when examining your dogs’ diet, I recommend always doing your research to ensure the food you give them is high quality. A good starting point is a website called All About Dog Food.
It’s a tonic when dogs feel under the weather.
Many believe “Dogs eat grass because they have an upset stomach”. #
Certainly, if a dog eats grass without chewing much before swallowing, the dog will almost certainly vomit. If, however, the dog chews the grass well before swallowing, the dog will not vomit. So, if a dog swallows something that makes them feel ill, inducing vomiting would seem like a good thing. Also, if a dog has a mild upset stomach, there would be some logic in providing their stomach with some form of medicine that well-chewed grass might provide.
Roxy enjoys grass every time she goes for a walk, but she is certainly picky about the grass they eat. This makes me think that “dogs eat grass because they feel sick” is a myth, as they can’t possibly have an upset stomach every day.
I have also observed my dogs eating grass and swallowing without chewing, which almost immediately induces vomiting, so I’m convinced they also use grass as a medicine.
Your dog does this out of boredom.
We all know that a bored dog can get up to all sorts of things, including destructive chewing, digging in the garden, and barking. Eating grass can be another way your dog wants to fill its time.
Our dogs can get up to all sorts of mischief when bored. That includes going on destructive rampages by chewing, barking or digging up whatever takes their fancy. But grass eating can also sign your dog lacks stimulation and is looking for ways to fill their time.
Should I worry about my dog eating grass?
The short answer is generally no. If your dog is only occasionally eating grass and appears to enjoy it, then it is nothing to worry about.
In fact, if your dog eats grass daily and shows no signs of illness and enjoys it, then, to be honest, I wouldn’t worry too much. However, please speak to your vet if you have any concerns.
If your dog is immediately sick after eating grass, monitor him for a few hours. As long as your dog is back to its usual self afterwards, the chances are it has gotten rid of whatever was causing it to feel under the weather.
When it is not appropriate to let your dog eat grass
If you know that the lawn has been treated with fertiliser, compost, or pesticide, it is not advisable to let your dog eat the grass.
Fertilisers and pesticides are generally toxic for the dog if eaten. If you are using these types of products, try to make sure they are pet-safe.
If you suffer from a lot of slugs and snails in your garden, preventing your dog from consuming grass is also a good idea; otherwise, they run the risk of lungworm.
Lungworm, if it isn’t treated, can lead to all sorts of heart issues and can lead to possible death.
If you have any theories of your own, please drop me an email or comment below, as I would love to hear them – I may even use the best ones in this article.
If you have enjoyed this article, you may also be interested in the top Summer Dangers for Dogs. Grass seeds are a danger to your dog and poison in the garden
why do dogs like rolling fox poo is another article in our “why do” series