For new puppy parents, this may be something completely bizarre but often times this is not something to be very concerned about. Believe it or not but many dog breeds, both young and old eat grass. The truth is your puppy will eat grass for many different reasons. So to give you a better understanding as to why this happens, let’s look a bit closer into this natural phenomena.
Should You Be Concerned If Your Dog Is Eating Grass?
Nutritional Needs
Many experts suggest that dogs specifically puppies often eat grass to satisfy certain nutritional deficiencies. However, there are also some vets who say that this is very debatable as many healthy dogs have also been found snacking on grass from time to time. While grass has very little nutritional value for dogs, the fact that many dogs, even those with a well-balanced diet eat grass may suggest that something is lacking. So, if you see your dog indulging in grass too much, he or she could be craving nutrients that are lacking in their food. As grass contains high levels of fiber, phytonutrients, chlorophyll, and potassium, you could consider switching them over to a high-fiber diet. Perhaps, you could also add probiotics and digestive enzymes to their meals.
Boredom
Another reason as to why your pooch may be eating grass is that they are bored or have some kind of behavioral issues. This could include a lack of exercise or stimulation or even the fact that they do not have any company during the day. If a dog is alone in the backyard for an extended period, eating grass could be seen as an easy way to keep them busy and pass the time. One of the best ways to keep your dog from snacking on the lawn is to ensure that they have an ample supply of toys to keep them entertained, along with a good exercise schedule throughout the week.
Upset Stomach
This next assumption is actually quite common, it is often said that dogs who wat grass do so to ease their upset stomach or help with vomiting, However, this is a chicken and egg debate. Does your pup vomit because of eating the grass, or is the grass helping them to vomit because they feel ill? Vets have also explained that if dogs turn to grass as a snack when they feel nauseous, gassy, or bloated it induces vomiting and makes them temporarily feel better. But, it is important to note that if you see that your dog does this constantly, you should definitely seek professional advice.
It’s Tasty!
One of the more straightforward reasons as to why your dog eats grass is that it is simply tasty. It’s highly likely that your pooch just loves the taste of grass…we all know that some dogs have peculiar tastebuds. If your furry friend has a healthy diet, isn’t showing any signs of illness, and eats a lot of grass, it’s likely they just enjoy the taste of it.
