Why Do Dogs Eat Grass And Weeds

Grass and plants are naturally fibrous and act to aid digestion.

Why do dogs eat grass and weeds. Grass eating can be a sign of gastrointestinal upset a dog will seek out a natural remedy for a gassy or upset stomach and grass it seems may do the trick. There is no specific reason why dogs eat grass. And studies have shown that most types of grasses will not make dogs throw up. Again grass is a normal component of a dog s diet but some grass seed has been treated with chemicals for various reasons and should certainly be avoided.

Many dogs have a condition known as pica which means they eat things that aren t food including dirt feces toys and grass. A lack of nourishment in their eating habits or the absence of fiber. Dogs eating grass frantically may be a sign that he needs extra fiber in his diet for instance. Other suggested reasons why your dog might be eating grass include improving digestion treating intestinal worms or fulfilling some unmet nutritional need including the need for fiber.

Most experts agree however that grass eating is normal canine behavior and that this type of pica usually doesn t cause too many if any problems. Dogs sometimes do eat grass and take it all out a short while later but the main reasons why dogs eat grass and weeds are. Why do dogs eat grass. If your dog wretches after eating grass or paws at his mouth check for lodged grass as a potential cause.

According to the blue cross some of the reasons dogs eat grass can be because they find it tasty they are bored or even if they are suffering from an upset stomach. Various reports are trying to unearth this mystery but none of them has been approved as truth. It could just be out of interest fatigue or boredom. Surprisingly they sometimes gag or vomit the grass before going ahead to eat more.

Dogs will still feed on weeds even when they have just eaten their favorite meal. The fact is that even if your dog has a well balanced diet she may still go for the green stuff on a regular basis. Dogs eating grass is fairly common and completely natural. Yard sprays such as weed control or fertilizers can turn grass and plants toxic.

In another study researchers found that younger dogs were more likely to eat grass than older dogs which may be because they are more susceptible to intestinal parasites. Grazing is what they do because their stomachs are able to digest all of the cellulose in grass.