There are plenty of animals that live off grass consumption
and at times your dog may think they’re one of them. They are not alone in this
assumption with many owners sharing their concerns as to why this may be the
case. Are they bored, hungry or sick? You might be thinking.
There is no clear answer to this but rest assured this is a
common occurrence and has even been observed in wild dogs.
Dogs that have eaten grass will soon vomit afterwards as
they lack the enzymes that would usually break down and digest it. If problems
persist it is always wise to take your dog to the vet to make sure it is
nothing serious.
One theory as to why your dog may be tempted to starting
treating itself to an extra meal is out of boredom. If you’re going to be out
in the garden or a park for a long time, make sure your dog is mentally and
physically stimulated by playing with toys, games and walking.
Another is that your dog may be sick or have a stomach
irritation before hand and they think that eating grass will react in vomiting
which in turn will ease their stomach.
One study found that dogs which regularly eat grass stopped
the habit after switching to high fibre diet. This suggests that it could
possibly be a sign that your dog is seeking a nutrition that they are not
getting in their usual diet.
You may sometimes see your dog as the household vacuum
cleaner and let’s face it they will at times hoover up anything they find on
your kitchen floor. There’s always a possibility is that some dogs may just
simply enjoy the taste of grass.
If your lawn has been treated with chemicals like herbicides
and pesticides, always discourage your dog from grazing as they could possibly
be toxic. As the summer is well and truly upon us, make sure that any garden
party guests are also made aware to not let your dog graze or eat any scraps of
BBQ food either.
If you’re going on holiday to some where even warmer this
summer, make sure your dog is well cared for and looked after while you’re
away. Our dog boarding services provide a one-on-one interaction with your dog
ensuring that your dog can’t top up its grass diet while you’re away. Check to
see if we are in your local area here – http://www.homefromhomedogboarding.com/