It is natural to be worried when you see your canine eating grass. But your dog is not the only one having this habit. Studies have found that about 79% of dogs eat grass. Pica is a medical term used when referring to the habit of eating things that are not eatable. This disorder exists in dogs due to varying reasons.
This brings us to the question, should dogs eat grass? Well, some vegetarians would consider it as normal behavior of the animal. However, some points should be a matter of concern for dog owners.
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Do They Feel Sick?
A commonly-held belief is that our pets eat grass when they feel sick. A feeling of nausea initiates them to take grass. So basically, they do that to sooth their stomach ache. We believe that they consider it as a light food that relaxes their stomach muscles.
But a study that was conducted on almost 1500 dogs revealed that dogs eat grass even when they are not necessarily sick. In this study, 8% of the dogs that ate grass showed no sign of prior illness and about 22% of dogs vomited after eating grass. Dogs that vomited were mostly the ones that were sick before ingesting grass.
Some veterinarians believe that when dogs eat grass, the blades around the grass may scratch their esophagus, thus prompting them to throw up. However, what we must generally consider is that dogs can easily eat grass that is free from pesticides as such grass has no harmful effects on them.
Is It A Question Of Dietary Deficiency?
Some dog owners believe that the reason their dog eats grass is perhaps that they are not getting a proper diet. The deficiency in their diet is considered as one of the major concerns among pet owners. Several studies have been done, in a bid to look into the matter.
One such study was carried out, and in the study, the animals were given different diets over a period of time. However, the study did not find any concrete evidence to suggest that dogs eat grass as part of their nutritional requirements. However, experts still encourage proper feeding habits to prevent our canine companions from looking at the grass as some form of food.
Is It Hereditary?
Another school of thought is that dogs may have inherited the grass-eating habit from their ancestors. Or to be precise, their wild ancestors. The wild dogs ate prey that had traces of grass in their bowel. As a result, this habit developed an urge in them to eat grass.
Like humans, dogs are omnivores, and their urge to eat grass can be a natural part of their behavior. This means the habit may be a part of their heredity.
It Is Tasty?
The taste of grass may also be a factor that contributes to such behavior. Dogs are quite similar to humans in many aspects, and one such aspect is the need to change their taste. They may find the same dog food boring to eat.
The change in taste that grass offers them could enable them to develop an appetite for grass eating. Your natural scavenger may find the flavor and texture of plants, especially grass, yummy and more nutritious. You can try to feed him a high fiber diet and observe if he abandons his newly-acquired habit.
Getting Rid Of Intestinal Parasite
One of the studies that were carried out revealed that dogs eat grass to get rid of their intestinal parasites.
The plant material that they take in, mostly in the form of grass, increases the motility in their stomach. As a result, it helps them to get rid of parasites. Instincts may drive their behavior to eat grass, even though our canines are naturally controlled by parasites.
Dogs Sometimes Eat Grass When They’re Bored
It is also a widespread belief that our pets could have an appetite for grass because they take it as a source of entertainment and fun. Their monotonous schedules make them resort to eating grass. One theory that’s advanced here is that dogs will usually eat grass when their owners are not around.
They see it as a perfect way to kill boredom and just be in a hyperactive state. Studies suggest that eating and appetite are brought about as a result of complex chemicals that also include dopamine. And as we know, dopamine is a good source of happiness, and it elevates the mood of animals, dogs inclusive.
Should I Stop My Dog From Eating Grass?
There is no plain answer to this question. As we have already discussed, dogs may eat grass due to various reasons. Therefore, the answer depends upon the reason in question.
If he eats grass due to boredom, try playing with your animal. Spend more time with him, so he doesn’t feel bored. You can also buy him a Frisbee and give him more exercise, just to ensure that he is not bored.
If the behavior is as a result of feeding an inadequate diet to him, then you need to check the diet and see what changes you can make to it. If you are unsure about the proper diet to serve him, you could take him to a vet. They will have a look at the dog and recommend a perfect diet for him.
If the animal if taking grass that is free from pesticides and chemicals, then there is nothing to be worried about. However, pesticides and chemicals can be harmful to the pet and must be avoided.
In some cases, the grass may be toxic. Toxicity could be as a result of artificial substances, or some grass species could be naturally toxic. Either way, this could lead to gut irritation, causing them to vomit even further.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is evident that the answer to our topic has two sides to it. Your dog eating grass could be a natural habit unless it is due to a deficiency in his diet or due to boredom.
In every other case, if he consumes non-toxic grass, then there shouldn’t be cause for alarm.
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