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Why Do Dogs Eat Grass?
Confused as to why your canine companion has taken to eating grass? Don’t worry; it’s entirely normal among dog owners. Still, you might be stricken with worry and asking yourself questions like, “Am I not feeding him enough?” “Is he sick?” or “Will eating grass hurt him?”
Firstly, rest assured you’re not alone. You adopted a dog, not a grass-grazing cow or goat, so the question remains, why do dogs eat grass?
Dogs eating grass is quite common and considered normal behavior, so unless your dog is showing signs of being unwell beyond the grass-eating, there’s no need for concern. However, if your interest has been piqued, keep reading for reasons why your hound might be grazing on your lawn. To name a few:
IMPROVING DIGESTION
Roughage, like grass, contains dietary fibre, and just like humans, a lack of dietary fibre can affect how our canine companions digest their food. In addition, a diet lacking in fibre can cause problems like constipation, diarrhea, and bloating, all of which are incredibly uncomfortable for your pup. So your dog might be munching on the grass to give their bodily functions a little nudge to pass a bowel movement and relieve them.
On that same note, they may also be trying to:
SOOTHING AN UPSET STOMACH
If your dog has an upset stomach, it might turn to grass as a way of making themselves vomit and feel better. Eating grass can help to soothe an upset tummy and make your pup feel more comfortable.
CURIOSITY
Puppies are notoriously curious creatures and will often put anything and everything in their mouths as they explore the world around them. So you may find them munching on this like grass, leaves, twigs, bugs… you name it!
As your puppy ages, it should start to outgrow this phase, but some dogs never lose their curiosity (or appetite for grass). So if your dog is eating grass out of curiosity rather than hunger, there’s no need to worry. They’re just being a dog!
BOREDOM OR LONELINESS
Sometimes, dogs eat grass because they’re bored. For example, if your dog is left home alone for long periods with nothing to do, it might start grazing on your lawn out of boredom or loneliness.
The best way to combat this behavior is to ensure your dog has plenty of toys and bones to keep them occupied.
DIET DEFICIENCY
Much like humans, dogs can develop deficiencies in specific vitamins and minerals. For example, if your dog is eating grass excessively or seems to be obsessively chewing on objects around your home, it could indicate an iron deficiency.
Other deficiencies that may cause your dog to eat grass include copper, zinc, iodine, and selenium.
To ensure your much-loved mutt gets all its essential nutrients, ensure you’re feeding them a high-quality, well-balanced diet.
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Getting back on topic… Another reason dogs gobble up grass may be:
INSTINCT
Last but not least, some experts believe that eating grass is simply an instinctual behavior for dogs. So, just like how we humans have a natural urge to brush our hair or scratch an itch, dogs may eat grass because it’s in their nature.
As you can see, there are many reasons why your furry friend might be chowing down on grass. In most cases, it’s nothing to worry about and is simply part of their natural behavior. However, if you’re concerned that your dog is eating grass excessively or showing other signs of being unwell, it’s always best to consult your veterinarian.
As always please do not hesitate to contact us here or follow along on Facebook and Instagram for more tips, tricks, and a whole lot of funny animal memes.
