Summer is the best season that dogs love. It is a great time to go out with your pet and feel the aroma of flowers. But sometimes, while playing in the garden, you may notice your dog eating grass frantically. It is a strange behavior that can even pose a risk to your beloved pet.
Eating grass can be a sign of nutritional deficiency. Sometimes dogs may eat grass out of boredom, but the pesticides and chemicals sprayed on the grass may upset their stomach. Before you take steps to stop your dog from eating grass, you must know the reason why your dog is eating it in the first place.
Here are some of the common reasons for dogs eating grass, along with suggestions on what you can do.
Pica:
Pica is a common condition in which a dog eats things that are not food, such as toys, feces, dirt, and grass. When your dog consumes non-edible substances, it may cause severe blockage in its digestive tract. The item may get tangled in the intestines, after which it may need an endoscopy or surgery.
Keep your dog away from grass, especially the one treated with chemicals. If your dog develops any signs of GI blockage, such as diarrhea, drooling, lethargy, vomiting, loss of appetite, or strained stool passing, take your pet to the vet immediately and have the issue resolved.
Taste:
Some dogs indeed enjoy the texture and flavor of grass. Since commercial dog foods may not have adequate amounts of fiber, minerals, and vitamins, the dog might be trying to fill this deficiency by eating grass.
Examine the list of ingredients in your pet food and check if it provides all the required nutrients to your dog. Switch your current dog food with a high-fiber alternative, after which your dog will get rid of its nutritional deficiency, and it won’t find grass tasty any longer.
Feeling Unwell:
By eating grass, your dog may try to induce vomiting because it might be feeling unwell. If your dog looks lethargic and if its stools are runny and discolored, then this might be the reason why it is eating grass.
If gastric reflux, inflammatory bowel disease, or any stomach distress is the reason for your dog eating grass frantically, it’s worth contacting your veterinarian.
Boredom:
Some bored dogs eat grass simply because they want something to do. Dogs are highly energetic animals that need enough exercise to burn up energy. If it does not get sufficient activities to do, it may start eating grass out of boredom.
Sometimes, you can find the solution as simple as a chew toy. The toy will keep your dog busy, and you may find a significant reduction in its grass-eating behavior. Develop a consistent exercise routine for your pet, take time to play with it, or hire a dog trainer to give it enough activities. Ensure that the activities are giving your pet physical and mental exercise to keep away the boredom.
Although occasionally eating grass is not a significant cause of concern, if you notice your dog eating grass frantically out of boredom or nutritional deficiency, you need to take the right steps to stop it. Add some variety to your dog’s life and its food bowl, and you will soon see a change in its grass-eating behavior.
