subject: Should Dogs Eat Grass? If So, Why? [print this page] Should Dogs Eat Grass? If So, Why? Should Dogs Eat Grass? If So, Why?
Unlike some animals, such as cats, whose ancestors were hunters, early dogs were scavengers. They would eat pretty much anything that was handy. Some of that lack of a discretionary palate could be why they eat grass, trash or anything else that looks interesting.
All my dogs have been salad eaters. To them, fresh dew on spring grass seems like mixed salad greens with olive oil. They know exactly which grasses they want to eat, search for them, and graze contentedly. Nutritionists tell me dogs do this because fiber is a natural part of a dog's diet. All good dog food manufacturers ensure a good balance of soluble and insoluble fiber in their products.
But if you are like many dog owners who live in a grassy area you would swear sometimes that your dog is an Angus. Dogs lay out in the yard and graze just like a cow. Dogs explore their worlds with their noses and mouths. And there's the grass, sweet-smelling, with an appealing texture; and it's ever-so-accessible on the ground. Why not eat it?
Should dogs eat grass? Yes, if it causes no problem, but there are specific circumstances when grass eating is a sign of medical problems. If your dog does not graze or does so intermittently, then suddenly increases this activity, it is clinically significant. When dogs have stomach or bowel problems, they sometimes eat grass to act as a purgative, to induce vomiting. This is different from the accidental vomiting that may occur from eating grass simply for pleasure.
Grass eating may be a manifestation of pica, a condition characterized by a changed, even depraved, appetite in which dogs eat unusual matter such as earth, roots, even pebbles. If your dog's grass-eating habits change from his or her normal habits, see your vet within the week.
Dogs are also members of the family and should be treated with a lot of respect, feed your dog a healthy food today for a happier family. Find out more on what to feed your dog and the secrets of dog food here.
