Why Dog Eat Grass And Weeds ?
If your dog eats grass, there could be several reasons for this. First of all, it is possible that it helps it digest and purge itself. He can then be instinctively attracted to certain plants (like his distant ancestors the wolves who also ate grass and berries). He may also simply enjoy the taste of the herb. On the other hand, it can also reveal a diet too low in fiber or even a pathology: pica.
UNDERSTAND WHY YOUR DOG EATS GRASS
why does my dog eat grass
Your dog eats grass to purge himself
The first explanation for why a dog eats grass is digestive. Indeed, if your dog has difficulty
digesting properly (whether occasional or
frequent), he will spontaneously seek to make himself vomit. For this, he will consume the herb which will irritate the intestinal mucosa and cause regurgitation without gravity. Be careful, however, some vomiting is, in other cases, a symptom of serious pathologies, such as acute renal failure . However, this type of disease is accompanied by other significant symptoms.
Your dog likes to eat grass
Your dog may also simply be instinctively attracted to plants or like to eat grass. Generally speaking, and this is fairly easy to remember, dogs like to eat quackgrass. It is often their favorite herb, especially because this herb (which is considered a weed) is rich in fiber. It can also be a compulsive need that is difficult to control (we speak of “craving”, which can result in an insatiable appetite). If this episode is temporary, there is no need to worry since eating weed will not affect your dog's health.
Your dog eats grass to get more fiber
If your dog is eating a diet that is too low in fiber, he will need to eat more. The grass will then be an ideal food to make a significant contribution. If this is the case, make sure to correct his diet by offering him adapted, more balanced meals, or by using croquettes rich in fiber . In agreement with your veterinarian, you can also give him specific boxes .
Your dog suffers from pica
It may also turn out that your dog is prone to pica. If this is the case, your dog will have a tendency to inappropriately eat unusual materials, such as grass or dirt, wood, stones, sand, plastic, etc. If this happens, do not hesitate to consult your veterinarian, so that he can have your dog tested and can determine the origin of the problem. Indeed, pica can be due to various pathologies, other than behavioral disorders, in particular pancreatic insufficiency or digestion or metabolism disorders. Remember, however, that if pica is to be taken very seriously in an adult dog, it is not necessarily serious in puppies who must be trained .
IF YOUR DOG EATS GRASS, WATCH HIM
Dogs can therefore eat grass for a variety of reasons, which can be quite benign or more serious. Take the time to observe your dog and his daily behavior, to know how to react. If you notice that he continues to eat weed a little too often, whether you are worried about it or in case of doubt, do not hesitate to make an appointment with a veterinarian who will tell you what to do.
Why is my dog eating grass ?
why does dog eat grassYou have certainly seen your dog eat grass before, and you wonder why and what consequences can this behavior have?
Today I suggest you finally understand why our dear carnivorous friends sometimes enjoy a few browns of grass and especially when should you worry about it.
Why is my dog eating grass?
First of all, be aware that eating grass for a dog is completely normal , as is regurgitating / spitting out what it has just swallowed.
We often tend to say that a dog purges himself when he eats grass. This is true in the sense that the absorption of plants can help a dog to eliminate harmful elements such as intestinal parasites from his body , but this should not on the other hand be seen as a deworming action.
Indeed, the fact of eating grass can help the dog to have a better intestinal transit but this does not exempt him from a bi-annual deworming treatment (prescribed by a veterinarian).
In addition, be aware that it is often by ingesting grass that the dog is contaminated with digestive worm eggs. So be careful about giving a suitable dewormer to your dog two or even four times a year.
But “purging” yourself isn't the only reason your dog eats grass. Here are a few more!
My dog eats grass on instinct
One of the hypotheses put forward by some specialists would be that the dog would reproduce the behavior of its ancestor the wolf who killed herbivorous prey and therefore ate what the digestive tract of its prey contained, namely grass, plants, etc. .
My dog eats grass for taste
Even if the most developed sense in dogs is clearly not taste, in fact the dog ultimately has very few taste buds compared to humans (1,700 compared to 10,000 in humans), it does not It is not uncommon for dogs to be “food craving”.
Food craving is characterized by a strong desire to eat a particular food (chocolate for some people for example).
Some dogs are therefore very fond of grass, for no particular reason. It is just important to make sure that the dog does not ingest too much grass or herbs treated with chemicals / poisons for example.
why does dog eat grass
My dog eats grass to digest
As mentioned previously, the dog can be made to eat grass to eliminate whatever is possibly bothering him in his stomach.
Thus, eating grass without taking the time to chew it will then allow him to vomit.
While this behavior is observed occasionally, it is not considered abnormal. However, if you observe your dog adopting this reflex on a frequent basis, consult your veterinarian quickly as it can hide an illness or an infestation.
My dog eats grass because he has pica syndrome
Do you know the pica syndrome? It is a behavioral eating disorder which prompts the dog to ingest various substances which are initially not made to be eaten (earth, sand, excrement… grass, etc.).
Thus, if you observe your dog eating grass but also other matters considered as non-nutritious, and this very regularly, consult your veterinarian quickly because this disorder indicates in many cases a nutritional deficiency or an illness.
We must act quickly because pica disorder can lead, for example, to intestinal obstruction or perforation.
My dog eats grass: what to do specifically ?
The first thing to do is not to worry without having observed your dog well for several days.
Indeed, if you arrive at the vet and you tell him "my dog just ate grass", he might laugh in your face.
Here are the different situations for which it will be preferable to consult a veterinarian:
If your dog eats grass excessively
If your dog eats grass overnight and still eats excessively
If your dog eats grass treated with chemicals
If your dog eats grass and other non-nutrients
If and only if one of these 4 reasons is given, then yes, go to your vet with the information so that he can redirect you to the best solution for your dog!
Dogs love to eat grass very often, and we find it often making it an integral part of their daily routine. Fortunately, veterinarians and experts stated that eating dogs for grass is not a cause for concern at all.
Dogs
One of the types of mammals classified in the list of carnivores, was domesticated between 14000 to 15000 years, and this animal was called the best friend of man, Because it is characterized by loyalty, so that it possesses a high ability to remember its owner even if it is cut off for a long period of time. And dogs have many breeds and varieties, the most important of which are the hound and the shepherd dog, the Hound dog and the dog of the fields, in addition to the dog accompanying the blind and the guard dog, and there is a new type that is used only to pull the icy carts It is called the dog of sliders, and they all make a sound called bark.
But many people wonder why dogs eat grass, weeds and green plants ?
Dogs differ in their eating from cats, because cats are not meat-eating in the nature of dogs, just as they do not like eating grass found in different gardens.
Cats do not eat any kind of food that they encounter at any time, such as dogs.
As for dogs, they love eating meat for thousands of years, and they can eat anything and everything as long as it meets their basic nutritional needs.
Dogs in our modern world are no longer the same as dogs in the past, as dogs have recently developed greatly and are eating everything they encounter.
Dogs also eat plants and herbs, and plants are considered an alternative food source for many other foods for dogs.
One of the most common plants that dogs eat is grass, because it is the closest to it and it is always within reach because it is everywhere.
Did you know that wild dogs eat fruits like berries and other fruits and other plants as well ?
It is clear that dogs find their pleasure and food that contains important elements in plant foods of all kinds.
But that does not explain to us the real reason why dogs eat plants, especially herbs.
Why do dogs eat grass and weeds ?
Dogs eating grass to treat abdominal diseases and problems :
Sometimes dogs get some stomach problems, and in this case they seek to take any natural remedy, so we find them follow many different methods that help them in the treatment.
Grass is considered one of the most important of these natural remedies that dogs resort to, as it is used in this case as a trick as it seems to get rid of the physical problem that corresponds to it.
When dogs eat grass, it tickles its throat and tickles the stomach lining and gives it a feeling of complete relief, but it may cause some problems in the stomach.
Dogs eating grass may cause vomiting, especially if dogs swallow the grass and do not chew it well, which negatively affects its stomach.
Although dogs do not eat as much grass as sheep and cows eat, they eat and chew them for a while and not throw them away.
There are two things that dogs are most likely to eat herbs because dogs can eat grass because they find palatable food suitable for them.
Or she might be eating it as soon as she needs to add a little raw material to her diet containing always cooked and canned items.
The nutritional benefits of grass and the importance of eating herbs :
Whatever the reason for dogs getting on the lawn, most experts and veterinarians find no risk for dogs eating grass.
As the grass contains many important and essential nutrients that dogs need, especially if these dogs eat canned and commercial foods all the time.
If you notice that your dog does not eat or prefer grass and houseplants, you should make sure to include cooked plants, natural herbs or vegetables in his diet in any way.
It is known that dogs do not refuse to eat food, and owners do not find it much difficult to feed them like cats, but they do not like eating raw vegetables in abundance just as young children who always refuse to eat vegetables do not prefer them.
Chewing grass is a fairly easy thing for dogs, but be careful and do not give her much of the herb in the food in an exaggerated and sudden manner so that this does not negatively affect her health and makes her complain about the various diseases that we are indispensable for.
Beware, too much dogs eating grass can make dogs sick, and often these diseases are respiratory and digestive, and affect them negatively.
If this happens, you should visit the vet immediately and seek veterinary assistance to solve the health problems as soon as possible.
