I have had a lot of people asking me why I am eating grass? Does your owner not feed you? Are you bored? Are you ill?
Well, occasionally I like to chop on a bit of grass from time to time. I usually do this for a couple of reasons.
- Due to my tummy is a little upset, probably because I found something I should not have eaten when I was on one of my walks.
- I feel great, however I still like to consume a little grass to supplement my diet.
We dogs love to munch away on grass, and I know some dogs even make it part of their daily routine. We have talked to a few veterinarians from time to time and they all believe it isn’t something you should worry about.
So do you want to know why we like to snack of the green stuff?
Well, let’s go back to the beginning when we were wild and were scavengers by nature. For tens of thousands of years, we would eat anything we could get our paws on as long as it fulfilled our dietary needs. When we hunted our pray, we ate the whole lot, including the content in their plant-eating stomachs. Thus getting all the nutrients we needed. Did you know that wild dogs are known to eat fruits, berries, and other vegetable matter, too?
Today as a domesticated animal we evolved and are no longer like our ancestors. We depend on you now to take care of our dietary needs. So as a modern dog, we seek out plants as an alternative food source. Most commonly that plant is grass since it is everywhere and easy to get.
When we feel queasy…
I will seek out a natural remedy for my upset stomach, and grass, it seems, does the trick. When ingested, the grass-blade tickles my throat and stomach lining; this sensation, sometimes makes me want to spew! Especially if I gulp the grass down rather than chew. When you see your dog gulping down grass like it is starving, it is usually a sign that your dog is not well.
Now on the other paw, if you see your dog nibble or chew on grass, they usually find the texture of the grass palatable, or they need to add a little roughage to their diet.
Nutritional Necessity
Whatever the reason may be, most experts see no danger in letting your dog eat grass. Did you know that grass contains essential nutrients that your dog just might be craving? Sometimes this happens if your dog is on a commercial dog food that does not supply the complete whole food nutrient that fresh veggies, fruit, and grains can supply.
If you notice that your dog is munching on grass or even your houseplants, then you may want to add to your dog’s diet some healthy vegetables. Our Veggie and fruit melee is a perfect recipe to add to your dog’s diet. Mix it up with their canned dog food, or why not try one of our homemade meals and mix the whole lot with some high-quality kibble?
Another great idea is to buy a tray of grass for your dog to munch.
Things to watch out for from grass loving dogs
- a sudden increase in grass-eating; it could be a sign of a more serious underlying illness that your dog is trying to self treat, and that requires immediate veterinary assistance.
- be careful that your dog does not digest grass that has been treated with pesticides, herbicides or chemicals. All can be toxic to your dog.
