Why dogs eat grass — and how to prevent it

Your dog begs to become let outside, immediately downs several mouthfuls of grass… after which promptly vomits everything up. Or even your dog is more of connoisseur, hunting for just the right blade to nosh on, without unwanted effects afterwards.

It’s a common behavior that baffles many pet owners. In fact, one survey found that grass is easily the most commonly eaten plant by dogs. But why is that would probably do it?

Here’s the reality: we’re not 100% sure. It’s likely there’s not one simple answer. Different dogs may eat grass for different reasons. But understanding why your dog does can help you address the behavior.

It’s Tasty

Your pet eats every last morsel he can find under your dining room table after a meal, so why stop now? As natural scavengers, canines are programmed to look for nutrition anywhere they can find it. It’s possible that your dog finds the flavor or texture of grass yummy. Or perhaps filling a nutritional need that his normal food isn’t, especially fiber.

Prevention: Many people find that the behavior stops after they switch to a high-fiber dog food. If you think this might be the case for the pup, consult with your veterinarian well before you make any changes to your dog’s diet.

He’s Bored

Over and over, eating grass is just something to do to pass the time. He’s got the backyard to himself, but not much to do there. Are you providing regular exercise and mental challenges for your pup? Do you notice your dog eating more grass during times when you aren’t walking or playing with them as often?

Prevention: Sometimes the answer can be as simple as providing a chew toy as an alternative or dedicating as much as providing a consistent exercise routine.

Stomach Distress

Some experts actually feel grass is a form of self-medication. Whenever your dog has tummy troubles, he turns to grass for relief. This is more likely if the behavior starts suddenly or if your dog is very anxious about needing to eat the grass, often extending his neck and making swallowing motions, and then vomiting afterwards. But most studies have found that this is actually quite rare — less than 25% of dogs vomit immediately after grass simply 10% showed symptoms of illness beforehand.

Prevention: In some instances, the stomach distress can be a sign of something more serious, like gastric reflux or inflammatory bowel disease, so it’s worth calling your veterinarian for advice.

Still Unsure?

Relax. Many veterinarians consider grass eating a normal dog behavior. While dogs don’t gain anything of real nutritional value from grass, it also may not hurt them — as long as there are no dangerous fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides used on the grass itself.

You can help protect your grass eater through the use of only non-toxic products by yourself lawn. When you’re out in public areas, keep an eye on out for signs warning that chemicals have been used on the grass. You can also in terms of a safe alternative by growing a grass or herb garden specifically for him to nibble on.

If you’re afraid that the dog may be undergoing poisoning attributed lawn treatments, call the ASPCA’s 24/7 Animal Poison Control hotline at (888) 426-4435.

Read more: http://www.cesarsway.com/dog-care/dog-nutrition/Why-Dogs-Eat-Grass-and-How-to-Prevent-It#ixzz3M9BcjFE0