Have you ever caught your dog chewing on a piece of grass and said to yourself, why do dogs eat grass? A wide practice leaves numerous pet owners scratched. Is it instinct? A dietary need? Or some weird dog prerogative?
Knowing this confusing habit can give important information to the well-being and health of your furry friend. In this paper, we are going to do the research on myths, facts, and reasons why our good friends like to chew on those green blades. Be prepared to find out the truth of this strange canine business!
The reason Dogs Eat Grass: Myths, Facts and Light to Dog Owners.
Most dog owners have seen their dogs devouring grass prompting them to ask several questions. According to the common myths, dogs consume grass as the main reason to make themselves vomit or because they are ill. This, however, is not the whole story.
As a matter of fact, dogs can chew on grass due to many reasons that may be instinctual, boredom among others. This knowledge would assist the pet owners to manage the needs of these motivated animals and keep them happy and healthy as they venture into the wild.
Why Do Dogs Eat Grass?
People who keep dogs are curious as to why their pets chew grass. It is an action that may appear confusing, yet it is very widespread. There are dogs that will be motivated to nibble greenery as a part of their ancestral habit.
Also, grass consumption may be caused by other factors such as nutritional requirements or mere idleness. Dogs are quite adventurous animals and they tend to go around the world with their mouths, in the process tasting grasses on the way. Learning about these motives will enable you to cope with this eccentric habit.
The Explanations of why Your Dog is Eating Grass.
Dogs can chew on grass due to a number of reasons. Other dogs consume it instinctively as their wild counterparts did. It may also be a means of fulfilling a fiber requirement or a food deficiency.
The boredom is also a part; they may consider grass more interesting than their toys. Dogs may also, at times, just like the taste, or want to calm down an upset stomach. They can also be motivated to chew greenery around your yard by curiosity and attention-seeking behavior.
Is Eating Grass Bad for Dogs?
Grass-eating is a normal practice of the dogs and in most cases, it does not harm the dogs. Dogs chew on grass and this does not cause them to be negative. But when your dog is constantly vomiting or looking distressed after eating grass, then it can be an indicator of a problem.
Sometimes consumption may be natural and instinctual. However, it is necessary to keep an eye on the nature of grass they feed on. The chemicals or pesticide-treated grass has side effects that may result in severe health complications in the long run.
Grass-Eating Is Instinct
Most dog owners are wondering why their pets chew on grass. Among other things, one of the reasons is their instincts. Wild canines have evolved into the dogs; they usually fed on plant sources to facilitate digestion or as a dietary supplement.
This action can be genetically programmed into them. Although domestic dogs have evolved, certain instincts of nature are still there. The reason behind grass consumption might only be a relic to the past practices when canine family members found it easy to survive in the wild. It is observable how the savage tendencies continue in our pets of fur nowadays.
Need for Fiber
A dog needs fiber to ensure that it has good digestive health. Similar to human beings, dogs need fiber to ensure regular bowel movements and to keep the gut healthy. When they find that their diet may be deficient in fiber, they can resort to grass as a source of supplement.
Grass will also assist in fattening stools and digestion. Although it is not an alternative to good food to your dog, snacking on some greenery may be one of the ways through which your pet gets its additional fiber intake that its system requires.
Diet Deficiency
Deficiency of diet may also be a major cause of eating grass by dogs. When your furry friend is not receiving all the necessary nutrients, then it may resort to supplementing the plants with additional vitamins or minerals. Dogs could have the instinct to find whatever they are lacking.
It is sometimes that they munch grass because of the deficiency of fiber in their diet. Dietary food with adequate amounts of proteins, carbohydrates, and fibers ensures that your dog is in good health and discourages the dog wanting to graze the grass outside the house.
Grass Acts as Antacid
There are those dogs which can resort to grass as a natural solution to an upset stomach. The satin feeling of grass may cause them to become vomiting, and then they will be able to get something out of their digestive system that is bothering them. This is the urge to relieve the dog, and maybe this is an instinct behavior.
Moreover, some grasses contain chlorophyll that functions as an antacid. It assists in digesting and relieving of gastric pains. When your pup wants to go in the grass after eating it might be just because it needs some relief to its tummy problems.
Boredom
Eating grass can be one of the ways people can be bored to find some entertainment. In case your dog is not getting the necessary mental or physical stimulation, your dog may get bored and choose to find some excitement outdoors. The new air and feel of grass may be inescapable.
To ensure that your dog is entertained, regular walks and playtime are needed. Bring about interactive games or puzzles that do not leave their minds bored. In the process, you will be able to prevent such grass-eating habits and keep your furry friend happy and healthy.
Tasty Treat
There are those dogs that just like the grass taste. To them, it may be a tasty snack instead of a meal. Dogs can be pleased to chew on fresh blades just as human beings are pleased with the certain food they wish to eat.
Their instinctive feelings may like the taste and the texture. Perhaps, when your pet animal is especially attracted to grass, it is simply a way of a delicious snack they are not able to resist.
Soothing an Upset Stomach
Dogs tend to have discomforts in the stomach occasionally. Once this happens, consuming grass may be a natural reaction in order to calm their troubled stomachs. The vomiting or the ease of digestion may be induced with the help of the fibrous texture of grass and this may be considered relief.
When your dog is not feeling well it may be tempting to find some grass as a solution. This is based on an instinctive knowledge of what their bodies require when they are in pain and this makes it an interesting phenomenon about dog instinct and self-care.
Curiosity
The dogs are curious animals. They are curious and this leads them to investigate the surrounding world including that which they are able to get on the ground. They tend to get attracted to grass because of its texture and smell.
Dogs, when they come across grass will nibble in pure curiosity. They may be asking how it tastes or whether it contains any interesting scents that are worth exploring. This is just a way of them being naughty and feeling adventurous in the wild.
Attention From Pet Parents
There are dogs that can consume grass to draw the attention of their owner. When a pup chews on the greenery, it will most likely cause a response of their human. This may produce some interesting experience either with laughter or even concern.
Dogs are social beasts and they live off of socialization. Assuming that they do not get caught to eat grass, when they get their way, be it through positive reinforcement or punishment, they would just do the same again, just to get that added attention. You should monitor the behavior of your pet and know what motivates it.
Pesticides
The use of pesticides may be a big danger to dogs that will feast on grass. Most lawns are sprayed with pesticides that kill pests and this is dangerous when consumed by your pet dog. Dogs tend not to differentiate between safe and contaminated grasses and hence, this is a worrying problem to individuals who own pets.
When you realize that your dog is regularly eating grass, then you have to check whether you have any recent treatment in your yard. It is important to keep your lawn free of chemicals or use pet safe versions so that they can be healthy and safe.
Fecal Material
There are dogs which have a curious tendency to chew on the contaminated fecal material grass. This is possible because they may be motivated by their instinct to explore the world in terms of taste and smell. However, this interest may make them ingest parasites or dangerous bacteria.
Browsing on grass close to feces could also be a sign of a malnutrition in the diet. It can be the case that the dogs are looking to get what they are not getting in their normal food and they may forage on anything they find and although that may not be safe, they will forage it.
The Question of How to get your Dog to Eat Grass.
The first thing to do is to make sure that your dog has a rich fiber diet before discouraging it to eat grass. This is because it will assist in satisfying their nutritional requirements and the temptation to snack on greens. They should add vegetables such as carrots or green beans to their meals to provide additional fiber.
Then have your dog do some more exercise and brain training. Regular walks and training sessions and even playing can keep them out of grazing grass. Monitor their outdoor behavior, and redirect them in case of undesired grass consumption.
What to do When Your Dog Eats Grass: When to Take It to the Vet.
In case your dog has a habit of eating grass, then you are to be careful of your dog. The occasional munching of grass can be safe; however, when you observe some symptoms of distress, including vomiting or feeling tired, then it is possible that you have a more severe problem. Also, in case your dog regularly eats a lot of grass, or he/she has appetite and weight changes, it is worth doing the examination at the veterinary. Your vet will be able to identify whether underlying health issues are causing this behavior and will offer specialized guidance on how to take care of the diet and behavior of your pet. Your furry friend will be happy and healthy, and you should be able to keep an eye on him/her.
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