Just because a dog eats grass isn’t always cause for alarm. There are a number of reasons why man’s best friend may consume plants, including easily digested quack grass. Your furry buddy may be doing this out of instinct, because it tastes nice, because it helps with digestion, or for any number of other reasons, but it is still a red flag. So, keep an eye on how much grass your dog is eating. A consultation with a veterinarian is recommended if the occurrence is frequent, significant, or accompanied by symptoms.
The Reasons Why a Dog Eats Grass
There might be a few causes for a dog to eat grass. The first benefit is that it might aid digestion and purging. Second, the dog could have an innate preference for certain plants (like their distant ancestors, the wolves, who also ate grass and berries). The grass may just be a tasty treat for the dog. However, it may also show a pathology called pica or an under-fiber diet.
Dogs may sometimes eat grass out of pure instinct, a trait likely passed down from their carnivorous predecessors (especially wolves) who consumed the stomach contents of their herbivorous prey, which also included plants.
Dogs Can Eat Grass to Purge
Grass is a good option for the dog to eat if it is feeling a little constipated or has intestinal worms, For digestive purposes, it is the most obvious reason a dog would eat grass. In fact, if the dog has occasional or chronic digestive issues, it may try to induce vomiting on its own. It plans on doing this by eating grass, which irritates the digestive mucosa or intestinal wall and leads to gravity-free regurgitation.
It’s important to pay attention since nausea and vomiting might be signs of more severe conditions, including acute renal failure. However, there are more major symptoms associated with this condition.
The intake of some plants, such as grass, helps to expel intestinal parasites, relieve irritations, and ease intestinal transit, thus, a dog’s habit of eating grass is not a reason for concern. But that’s not the only reason the dog may eat it.
Some Dogs Like the Taste of Grass
Did you know that dogs are actually omnivores, unlike cats, which are carnivores? Dogs’ anatomy, personality, and eating habits reveal that they can eat plant products too.
It’s also possible that the dog has an innate preference for grass and plants. As a simple fact, dogs can like the taste of couch grass. This noxious plant is a favorite of theirs because of the high fiber content of the herb.
As well as being a difficult-to-control need, it may be a compulsive behavior (such as “craving” or having an insatiable appetite). No harm will come to a dog’s health from eating grass if this is only a passing phase.
Grass Is a Good Source of Fiber
Without reason, some dogs exhibit a great preference for grass. It’s similar to how some individuals have an insatiable need for certain foods, such as chocolate, cheese, sweets, bread, or something else entirely. If the dog likes the flavor of grass, it may eat any plant, putting itself at danger of ingestion of a poisonous plant or chemical spills.
Nonetheless, the couch grass is what most of the time draws in our canine companions. Humans may consider this odorous plant to be a weed, yet it really contains a lot of useful fiber.
An insufficiently low-fiber diet might make a dog feel uncomfortable. Grass is a fantastic meal choice since it has so much fiber. If this is the case, you should work to improve its nutrition by giving your dog higher-fiber kibbles or feeding it customized, more balanced meals.
The Dog Might Be Suffering From Pica
A pet dog might be a picky eater. If this is the case, you may see that your dog inappropriately consumes substances like grass, dirt, wood, pebbles, sand, plastic, etc. When this occurs, it’s important to see a vet right away to examine your dog and figure out what’s wrong.
The eating disorder known as pica may have medical as well as psychological origins. It’s important to remember that although pica in an adult dog warrants immediate veterinary attention, in a puppy, it may just be a sign that the dog needs to be educated.
Foods That Are Dangerous for Dogs
Below are the foods that are not ideal for dogs:
- Onions, shallots, and garlic raw or prepared. These foods may have an effect on your dog’s red blood cells and cause major gastrointestinal issues.
- Leeks. To be anticipated are digestive issues.
- Dogs may benefit from eating both fruits and vegetables. But don’t put more than a third of them on a platter. Grapes in any form are especially discouraged. In high enough quantities, this fruit is toxic to dogs.
- Potatoes should be avoided. Even though it’s not lethal, it may cause serious stomach problems.
- Avocado is out of the question. The dog’s cardiac issues may worsen as a result.
- Some seeds and pits are not safe for dogs. Ingesting them might be fatal for them.
- Chocolate is lethal for dogs.
- Ingesting macadamia nuts might give your dog a severe fever.
- Raw pasta is not recommended, but cooked paste is okay.
- Small bones from chickens, rabbits, and other small animals. Your pet might suffocate on this.
- Milk with lactose. Dogs have a problem digesting it.
- Alcohol, tea, and coffee.
- Parasite-carrying vectors like raw or undercooked foods and seafood.
Keep an Eye on Your Dog
As long as this only happens sometimes, as in a cat that purges itself, there is no need to concern. However, if the cat has a history of frequent vomiting, it’s best to take it to the vet for checkups since this behavior might be masking an underlying health issue.
It’s possible for dogs to eat grass for a wide range of causes, some of which are harmless and others more concerning. Spend some time observing your dog’s day-to-day routine so you can respond appropriately. You should call a vet for advice if you are concerned about the dog’s habit of eating grass, especially if you have seen that this behavior persists.