So, you bought the best dry dog food your budget allows. If your dog chooses not to eat it, you put all the effort into cooking a delicious meal for your dog, who, like you, has discerning taste buds. So, why do dogs eat grass if they are finicky eaters?
Urban legend says dogs eat grass because of a nutritional deficit. Another assumption is that they do this to eject the contents out of their weak stomach. Is there evidence that dogs do these because it is a physical need? Read on to find out!
Is My Dog Vegetarian?
One thing is for sure — your dog did not descend from cows and bulls even if he is a hulking Pit Bull. Dogs are not vegetarian, but rather omnivorous — enjoying both meat and vegetable components. But there is a catch! Our canine companions are not garden-variety omnivores, either.
The modern-day dog evolved from prehistoric wolves. For thousands of years, these wild canines would devour anything they could to ensure they have fulfilled their dietary requirements — berries, fruits, vegetables, and their entire prey. Since wolves would include the stomach contents of plant-eating animals, experts suggest, they have eventually developed a taste for it.
Therefore, the modern-day dog would instinctively include plants into its diet as well. That happens to be the tender green shoots of grass in your backyard since that is what is available.
Dogs Eating Grass is a Common Occurrence
In 2006, Dr. Benjamin L. Hart and his team of vets designed surveys to question owners about their dogs’ grass-eating habits. Initially, they surveyed a group of dog owners at their hospital. Seventy-nine percent of the participants involved in this small-scale study said that their dogs had eaten grass. Furthermore, the team conducted an extensive Internet-based survey. Of this group, 68% of 3 000 online participants reported that their dogs eat grass on a daily or weekly basis. Thus, the veterinarians concluded that grass-eating is a behavior all too common in dogs.
Why Do Dogs Eat Grass When Sick?
Some suggest that dogs eat grass to regurgitate. Many dispute this idea, saying dogs aren’t intelligent enough to decide that consuming herbs can remedy a stomach ache or haul up the gastric contents that made them ill.
According to Dr. Benjamin Hart, dogs eat grass regardless of whether they are sick or not. Evidence revealed that a majority of the grass-eating dog population are young, healthy dogs that were less likely to vomit afterward. It is possible that gastrointestinal upset triggers a dog to eat grass frantically, which may facilitate vomiting. However, only 22% reported that their dogs vomit after ingesting grass.
The bottom line is that grass-eating is a shared behavior in dogs, and vomiting only seems to be incidental, rather than intentional. Also, PetMD points out that grass blades tickle a dog’s throat and stomach lining when ingested. Thus, it causes some dogs to vomit.
Is Eating Grass Harmful to Dogs?
Dogs eating grass could be normal, but you need to look into the sort of grass your dog is grazing on. Most veterinarians would say that it is okay for dogs to nibble a little foliage on your meanderings throughout the neighborhood, as well as the newly sprouted grass you come across in hiking trails.
What you should worry about is that beautiful green lawn of yours. It can be as dangerous as a nightshade plant if it has been chemically treated. So, double-check your lawn-care products and make sure they are non-toxic and pet-friendly. You should also check the Animal Poison Control Center and learn which plants are considered dangerous for your pet.
Lastly, always keep an eye on a teething puppy and never let it loose. Ingesting too many grasses, leaves, or stems can lead to obstruction in puppies. Buying a small tray of herbs for your pooch to nibble on would be better. This way, you can monitor your pup.
Does My Dog Benefit from Eating Grass?
Grass brims with fiber. It also contains phytonutrients, particularly chlorophyll — the pigment that gives plants and algae their vibrant green color. Studies show that the benefits of chlorophyll for dogs are similar as they are for people:
• Promotes hemoglobin production
• Detoxifies the bloodstream
• Cleanses the liver and the digestive tract
• Aids in elimination
• Promotes wound healing
• Improves nutrient absorption
• Strengthens immunity to infectious organisms
• Absorbs bad breath
There are many ways chlorophyll in grass benefits our canine companions. Whether your dog knows it or not, grass can serve as a nutritional supplement or as a nutraceutical to promote wellness. Since our furry pals can’t open the fridge and grab some asparagus, broccoli, or kale, they choose grass as a last resort.
5 Reasons Why Your Dog is Eating Grass, Experts Say
Nobody is 100% sure why dogs eat grass, but experts suggest that these are the reasons behind a dog’s love affair with grass:
Grass-eating harks back to ancient instincts
Our dog’s ancestors did not rely on bags of kibble to survive. Instead, they hunt and eat their prey whole — meat, bones, organs, stomach contents, and all. Eating an entire animal provided them a balanced diet since their preys’ stomach contains chlorophyll- and fiber-rich vegetable components. Not to mention they enjoy occasional portions of fruits and berries. Although modern dogs no longer hunt for food, their grass-eating habits are a reflection of their heritage.
Scavenger mode is on
Dogs are natural scavengers, and most of them enjoy all sorts of things that appall us — chicken dung and dirty nappies taken fresh from the trash. Technically, this behavior is referred to as “pica.” It is an eating disorder in which dogs crave for things that aren’t generally considered as food, such as grass. Both wild and domesticated canines have been found to practice it. Sometimes it is an indication that your dog has a nutrient deficiency, although it is often a sign of boredom and lack of attention. Although most dogs can make most of their time outdoors, some get easily bored when alone and does random things to pass the time, such as eating grass.
Your dog is trying to get rid of worms
Despite the lack of scientific evidence that dogs eat grass for self-curing, it seems like our canine companions will seek out a way to remedy themselves. Researchers speculated that eating grass may help remove parasitic worms from your dog’s gastrointestinal system. Wild canids and felids have observed this practice. So, it is possible that this is an inherent aptitude in our domesticated pets. If your turf-muncher also sleds his bottom along the ground, then that warrants a trip to the vet.
The grass is a natural laxative
A majority of commercial dry dog food consists of a high percentage of indigestible ingredients that, which often cause flatulence and constipation in dogs. Thus, experts propose that dogs, particularly those fed with kibble only, eat grass to compensate for the lack of fiber in their diet. Dogs need roughage to promote digestion and proper elimination.
On the chance that a nutrient deficiency triggers your dog’s behavior, adding more color to your dog’s diet would prove beneficial.
Your dog seeks more attention
Dogs crave for their owner’s attention. So, it is possible that he has worked out that eating grass gets extra attention from you, even if that attention involves you being worried or annoyed. Additionally, dogs with separation anxiety may eat grass or other inedible objects as a comfort mechanism. You can tell your dog has anxiety issues if he always trails beside you. When you are not around, keep him occupied by giving him nutritional chews or mentally challenging toys. This way, you are encouraging your dog to enjoy his own company.
Conclusion
So, why do dogs eat grass? Do they do it to relieve an ailing stomach? Or does he develop an upset stomach and vomit for overeating grass? There is probably no single answer, and each dog may graze on grass for a different reason.
Nevertheless, it is nothing to worry about. The fact is that your dog may still eat the green stuff even if your dog is served with a big slice of steak. As long as the grass is free of pesticides, then let your furry pal graze contentedly.
References:
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/why-does-my-dog-eat-grass/
https://www.hillspet.com/dog-care/behavior-appearance/why-do-dogs-eat-grass
