Why Does My Dog...EAT GRASS?!?
Dogs have some peculiar habits, and eating grass in our gardens is definitely one of them. But why do they do this? It is like an appetizer? Dessert? Or is it a sign of something more ominous? Pet Set Juliet tackles the query: Why does my dog eat grass?
ANIMAL BEHAVIOR, WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT, IS VERY SIMILAR TO HUMAN BEHAVIOR. TO UNDERSTAND IT, YOU NEED TO DO A LITTLE INVESTIGATING. BUT I KNOW YOU'RE BUSY, SO I'M HERE FOR YOU.
EVENTUALLY, YOUR DOG WILL BE OUT IN A GRASSY AREA, MAYBE A PARK OR WOODS. MAYBE EVEN A BEACH.
AND WHEN YOU RETURN, YOU MAY POSSIBLY FIND YOUR DOG ACTING A LITTLE LISTLESS AND MAYBE EVEN THROWING UP.
THE REASON: THEY PROBABLY ATE GRASS OR OTHER FLORA AND FAUNA.
NOT TO WORRY! DOGS EATING GRASS, HECK, DOGS EATING ANYTHING INCLUDING POO, IS VERY COMMON.
BUT WHY?
COUPLE REASONS:
FIRST, DIET. OR LACK THEREOF. SOME VETS THINK THEY'RE GOING FOR VITAMINS AND MINERALS THAT THEY'RE BODY IS LACKING.
THE ANSWER: CHANGE UP THEIR FOOD. THROW A LITTLE SOMETHING DIFFERENT IN THE MIX. AND LIKE YOUR TODDLER, PLAY AROUND TIL YOU BOTH CAN AGREE ON SOMETHING.
ANOTHER ISSUE - YOUR DOG MAY HAVE AN EMPTY, ACIDY STOMACH. THAT CAN BE UNCOMFORTABLE, SO THEY EAT GRASS TO SOOTHE THEIR TUMMIES.
OTHER EXPERTS THINK IT'S JUST IN THE GENES. OUR FURBABIES ANCESTORS WERE EATING ALL SORTS OF THINGS, INCLUDING PLANTS. MAYBE THIS IS PART OF THEIR GENETIC MAKEUP.
THE SOLUTION: ADOPT ANOTHER DOG OR GO OUT AND PLAY WITH HIM.
ONE MORE THING - FIDO MAY JUST BE ONE OF THOSE QUIRKY TYPES. LIKE THE KID IN 3RD GRADE WHO CHEWED ERASERS. HE JUST LIKES THE TASTE. IT'S COOL, IT'S CRUNCHY. IT'S WET SOMETIMES.
BOTTOM LINE: EXPERTS SAY JUST MAKE SURE YOU ALWAYS KEEP YOUR DOGS FED, WATERED AND BUSY.
AND THE MOST IMPORTANT THING: MAKE SURE YOU DON'T LET THEM ANYWHERE NEAR GRASS THAT'S BEEN TREATED WITH HERBICIDES OR INSECTICIDES OR OTHER ICIDES. AND KEEP THEM AWAY FROM THOSE DARN MUSHROOMS THAT POP UP.
AND IF YOU'RE WORRIED, AS ALWAYS, TALK TO YOUR VET.
I'M PETSETJULIET AND THAT'S WHY YOUR DOGS...EAT GRASS.