Is your dog going vegan, eating grass all the time? Don’t be baffled!
Dogs eat grass sometimes. It’s one of those peculiar traits canines have.
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However, there’s a reason behind everything, and we will get to that in a moment.
Now, the question is whether you should overlook the habit. Some cases are more severe than others.
First, you have to understand why your dog is eating grass?
Let me explain
Grass does not fall under the category of food that dogs usually eat.
The same goes for feces. Bear with me. Some dogs tend to have a habit of eating both.
In medical terms, this abnormality is referred to as ‘pica.’
Pica is a disorder that leads dogs, and surprisingly humans as well, to eat unusual substances.
The craving for unusual items is a result of malnutrition.
This nutritional deficiency makes everything that you wouldn’t even think of putting in your mouth seem delicious.
So, does it mean that your dog has ‘Pica’?
In all probability, no. Based on a study done on 49 dogs, 79% of them had eaten grass at one point or another.
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So it’s typical behavior. Pica is a much more severe case of an unusual eating disorder, and just eating grass doesn’t fit the bill.
So, if not pica, why is your dog eating grass?
There are many reasons why your dog may be eating grass.
The only way to find out is to use the method of deduction.
Try to find out these:
Does your dog have a nutritional deficiency?
Dogs are scavengers, and they hunt for nutrition to fulfill their bodily requirements.
When you bring a puppy home, you are responsible for providing nutrition through a balanced diet.
An insufficient diet will always encourage unwanted behavior.
They will go over counters and tables to snatch food, take down trash cans to look for leftovers, and occasionally eat grass.
If your dog lacks fibers in his/her diet, s/he may develop the habit of eating grass.
Consult with a veterinarian to look into your dog’s physical deficiencies.
A blood test can chart out all the nutrition your dog needs. And a vet can recommend supplements.
Does your dog lack activity to keep him busy?
Sitting all alone in the back yard can get boring real quick.
With nothing much to do, you can’t blame the poor thing for trying to experiment!
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Besides, grass can be a mysterious thing to a dog.
The smell, the texture, and the taste make it a great replacement for a chew toy.
Even considering all that, you shouldn’t allow fantasy.
Provide him/her with a real chew toy instead. It should be enough to divert the habit.
Is your dog sick?
Except for a severe case of ‘Pica,’ some dogs eat grass to vomit.
Dogs are wired to treat themselves whenever something is wrong with them.
In this case, an upset stomach or intestinal worms.
The fibers in grass clean the digestive tracts, whereas vomiting clears the stomach of toxins and gives relief.
Studies have shown dogs to be in perfect health after consuming grass every day.
Although 75% of dogs do not vomit after eating grass, 25% regularly do.
Now, it might sound like it’s a good idea to let your dog eat grass, but on the contrary, it isn’t.
Frequent vomiting can cause extreme weight loss in a very short period.
So, providing alternatives to get rid of the habit is a better feat.
Does your dog have a boring diet?
So, your dog is healthy and has a balanced diet. He doesn’t have an upset stomach and does not vomit.
So why is he still into the grass?
He just loves the taste of it!
Traditional dog food can get tedious. Dogs, just like us, need variations for their pallets.
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So, your dog is simply trying to explore his options.
Should you allow your dog to eat grass?
You absolutely should not allow it.
Only 9% of dogs tend to vomit after eating grass.
And vomiting causes loss of weight. But for those who don’t, an accumulation of grass in the stomach can cause loss of appetite.
Moreover, pesticides from grass can cause inflammation and gastric reflux.
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There are quick ways to divert this habit. Provide chewing toys, a balanced diet, and a variation in food.
No matter the severity of your puppy’s case, you should not overlook a grass-eating habit.
Consult with a vet to get your puppy tested ASAP.
