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Dog Eating Grass

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Why does your Dog Like to Chew Grass?

Does your dog sometimes remind you of a cow in the way he eats grass? Is it a habit that bothers you? It shouldn’t, because this is normal behavior for dogs, and it isn’t going to hurt him at all. True, it can be a bit annoying when you’re standing outside in the middle of the night in below zero weather while he grazes leisurely on the stalks of last summer’s grass that are still braving the cold. Instead of just doing his business and getting both of you back into the warm house and your warm beds, he takes the time to eat several mouthfuls of the dead grass while you’re standing there freezing your tail off.

Some dogs will suffer digestive upsets from eating grass, but as a rule it’s no problem, and dogs have been doing it ever since dogs were first put on this planet. Occasionally a dog that has eaten a lot of grass may vomit it back up, but no worries. The dog will then eat his own vomit leaving everything cool and neat. Actually, no one has a clue why dogs enjoy eating grass, and theories abound. Dogs are definitely carnivores, yet they apparently like a bit of salad with their meat. One of the theories that has a lot of truth to it is that carnivores only eat meat, whereas dogs will pretty much eat anything they can get which makes them omnivores.

Proponents of this theory point out that dogs eat grass because something is missing from their diet which they get from eating grass. This is much like humans who don’t want a meal of nothing but steak. A nice, big salad makes a perfect side dish to complement the flavors and nutrients in the meat. Apparently dogs, too, like to have some balance in their diets. This theory has a lot of holes, though. How many dog owners do you know who feed their dogs steak? For the most part, they are fed kibble which, if it’s a good brand, includes all the nutrients a dog requires for good health. If you feed your dog supermarket brand dog food, you can’t be so sure of what he’s getting!

This theory may hold true if all you ever feed your dog is canned or fresh meat. After all, he needs a wide variety of nutrients if he’s going to be healthy and happy, and fresh meat just doesn’t supply all the vitamins and minerals he needs. True, canned meats do contain some added nutrients, but the food itself is still too soft to provide your dog with what he needs for strong teeth and healthy bowels. Dogs that are fed only canned food have a much greater instance of dental problems at a younger age than dogs that are fed hard kibble. In addition, these dogs experience more constipation and gas, because their diets are lacking in fiber. If your dog isn’t on some kind of special diet, most of what he eats should be kibble. It’s okay to add a couple of spoonfuls of canned meat to give him a little treat, but make sure that the main part of his diet consists of kibble.

A second theory that people believe may be the reason dogs like to chew grass is that dogs eat the grass in an attempt to stick a “finger” down their throats like we do when we need to throw up. Obviously dogs don’t have fingers, so your dog does the next best thing and eats some grass that tickles his tummy and makes him vomit. Dogs often do this when there is something in their stomachs they are unable to digest. The thing is, though, that dogs can vomit without eating any grass at all. There are also lots of incidences when dogs eat grass and don’t vomit at all which seems to negate this theory. There’s nothing wrong with your dog eating a bit of grass now and then, so quit worrying.

It’s true that a stomach full of grass can cause a bit of irritation, but it’s a simple matter for him to either cough or barf the problem out of his system. A lot of dogs eat grass throughout their entire lifetimes with no problems at all. Your dog will be able to make up his own mind whether he wants to eat grass or give up the practice altogether, so you don’t need to concern yourself about the situation. He may need a little guidance if you expose him to a lawn that has been treated with herbicides or pesticides or if there could be some snail bait or rat poison around, however, because these substances present a risk to his health. Hopefully you’ll be around if he’s ever exposed to toxic chemicals and will be able to police the situation for him, because grass eaters are at a much higher risk of ingesting toxins than other dogs are.

Another grass item that it’s better if dogs avoid are those clumps of dried grass that are left behind by the mower. If you have an old-fashioned push mower, this won’t be a problem. However, any grass that is mowed by a gas-powered mower can be polluted with grease and gas fumes which can make your dog really sick, if he’s able to choke it down in the first place. Usually a dog will avoid this stinky snack; only those who are totally obsessed with food will even venture a taste of this disgusting grass and will opt instead for nice, clean grass.

Maybe it’s your lawn you’re worried about more so than your dog, since he doesn’t appear to have any adverse effects from eating grass. A large dog that is an avaricious lover of grass can wreak havoc on a pristinely-manicured lawn which bothers some homeowners. If this is the case with you and your dog, try giving him a more varied diet in order to keep him from wanting to augment his usual fare with grass. Although no one really has a clue about the real reasons dogs eat grass, giving him a variety of foods may help assuage his hunger for grass.

Keep in mind, however, that your dog doesn’t need as diverse of a diet as you do in order to keep him interested in his food. He likes routine in his life, including in his diet. In accordance with the theory that he eats grass to provide more nutritional variety in his diet, though, if you provide him with fresh foods, such as carrots, chopped apples, and tomatoes, it may stem his desire for grass. One thing to remember, though, when you’re feeding fruits and veggies to your canine, is that onions, raisins, and grapes are actually toxic to dogs, so avoid them. You can try to stick with your dog when he’s near grass and redirect his attention when he wants to snarf down a grassy snack; however, it takes a quick-minded owner to keep their dog from making a mad dash at some particularly tasty-looking greenery. It’s really better just to take your daily walks with your canine friend and ignore the fact that he takes a bite of grass now and then. If you don’t your walks will become more frustrating than relaxing.

Most experts agree that even though the need to eat grass seems strange to pet owners, it’s just a behavior to expect when you have a dog. It isn’t going to hurt him, and any dog that eats grass does so because he enjoys the experience. Do you really want to deny him the simple pleasures in his life? Watch his face while he’s munching on a mouthful of grass. You’ll see a look of pure bliss and know that he’s experiencing a little bit of doggie heaven. How great is that!

For Recommended Reading:

For more information on dog psychology and general dog behavior traits, with a particular focus on problem behaviors, you’ll want to take a look at Secrets to Dog Training. It’s a complete, detailed manual for the intelligent and responsible owner, and covers everything from obedience training through to preventing and handling a wide variety of common problem behaviors. It's well worth checking out! You can visit the Secrets to Dog Training website by clicking here.