If you are a guardian to a dog, you must have this one complaint. Your dog eats grass. Dogs are supposed to be carnivorous creatures and they are not supposed to be interested in grass. However, occasionally, they become vegetarians and start to munch on grass. So far, researchers have not been able to find out why this peculiar behavior occurs. However, there are many theories with regard to why dogs eat grass. Let’s have a look at some of them –
If you provide your dog with a diet that is heavy on protein but low on fiber, your dog may start munching on grass. Experts believe that grass is an amazing source of fiber for dogs. Fiber has a crucial role in the digestion process of the dog biggest fiber pulls the waste material from all of the large intestine and makes the stools firm.
Furthermore, grass may also provide trace vitamins and elements to your dog. Unfortunately, to identify whether the grass really supplies fiber or not how more studies are needed. At the moment, there is no scientific evidence that has shown that grass adds to the fiber content of the dog’s diet. However, anecdotal evidences have shown that when owners who have been feeding their dog’s high protein low fiber diets, increase the fiber quantity in their diet, dogs have stopped eating grass.
Symptoms of low fiber in the diet
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Obesity
- Blocked anal glands
If you notice the above mentioned along with the behavior of grass eating, discussed with your vet whether any adjustment is required in your dog’s diet. You’re like an upset stomach as I mentioned before, grass adds to the fiber content of your dog’s diet. It allows the movement of the bowel easily through the gut. Thus, if your dog is suffering from a bowel disease like inflammatory bowel syndrome etc, he may prefer to eat grass.
Dogs have also learned by instinct that grass helps them soothe their acid reflux problem. Since you ask contains pectin, it can help treat acid reflux in humans as well Peter if your dog is feeling bad in his stomach region, he may start to eat grass to forcibly make himself throw up. Throwing up will remove all the toxins from his body and your dog will instantly start feeling better.
However, if you notice that your dog is regularly eating grass and inducing vomiting, you should call your vet. It can be a sign that your dog is having some underlying medical issue like cancer liver disease or intestinal problems
Other signs of an upset stomach in dogs
- Licking their lips, licking the air
- Gulping
- Diarrhea or vomiting
- Loss of appetite
Anxious
If you’re always feeling anxious, that is another scenario where he may indulge in eating grass. For example, if your dog is eating apprehensive of another person or a guest who has come to your home, who may start to eat or sniff crash. In certain cases, grass eating can be a depiction of separation anxiety in your dogs.
Other signs of anxiousness in dogs
- Acting restless
- Pacing
- Barking
- Drawing
- Panting
- Aggressive behavior
Intestinal worms
Dogs are supposed to be dewormed every few months. If your dog is eating grass along with suffering from diarrhea, there is a chance that he is suffering from a gastrointestinal illness or has worms in the intestine. Other signs of forms that need to sign are
- Weight loss
- Pot belly development
- Lethargic behavior
- Worms in stool
- Diarrhea
Inherited behavior
In certain cases, the behavior of eating grass can also be inherited. Since dogs hunt various animals that tend to eat grass like rabbits etc, there is a chance that dogs also develop the habit of eating grass. There’s a chance that the doctor that you’re providing your dog is not giving him all the supplements that he needs. Therefore, your dog is seeking out the grass to complete the remaining nutrients needed.
They like the taste
Finally, the last but not least possible explanation is that your dog simply likes the taste of the grass beaded and This is why he engages in eating it. A lot of times, grass has a different order that is attractive to dogs. Dogs also tend to use the odor of the grass to mask their own instinct and keep other dogs away on hunting trails.
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