Many dogs’ owners fear that grass is bad for their pets, but in your garden lawn, there are several explanations why your four-legged friends may be grazing. Dogs eating grass are relatively common and very natural. According to the Blue Cross, some of the reason’s dogs eat grass maybe because they find it savoury, they are bored with regular dog food.
Grass eating is suitable for your dog or not?
Many people believe that dogs get sick from eating grass, as horses and cows usually eat it, but it’s also safe for dogs. In their diets, dogs need protein, and grass provides a good source of fiber. A study found that fewer than 10 percent of dogs appear to be sick before eating grass, while fewer than 25 percent of dogs eating grass vomit frequently after grazing. While grass does not harm dogs, it is essential to check out where they are grazing. Long grass can get stuck in their ears, paws, and eyes, which often irritate, especially in the hot summer months.
Various reasons: There are various reasons why dogs eat grass, and this is what the experts are saying about those grass-eating habits.
Nutritional deficiency: The majority of commercial dog foods provide a healthy diet, and many experts agree it’s unlikely your dog won’t get the nutrition it needs from his meal. Instead, dogs with certain digestive disorders do not necessarily correctly digest food and have trouble digesting minerals, which can lead to gazing.
Instinct
One reason behind the grass-eating habit is the unusual behavior of a dog. Dogs that are wild are natural omnivores who eat plants and meat, so domestic dogs gradually move to plant material too. Another reason is that wild dogs would eat plant material that would be present in the stomach of their prey, and they develop a taste for it.
Behavioral issues of dogs
The dogs can develop grass-related obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Experts claim there is no cause for worry in the majority of situations. They recommend reducing your dog’s grazing time to correct the behavior.
If my dog keeps eating grass, do I need to see a veterinarian?
Grass does not affect dogs but if you notice the following, consult a veterinarian:
- Your dog eats grass but not their regular food
- The eating of grass becomes extreme
- Your dog will eat grass multiple times and vomit over several hours
- Your dog eats grass and doesn’t seem well.
