It is not unusual for dogs to crave grass. Most of them like to stop on the side of the road or on the lawn to taste the green blades. However, the question arises why dogs eat grass and, most importantly, when does it become a problem? In this article, you will learn what lies behind dogs' tendency to snack on grass and when it may be a cause for concern and a basis for intervention.
Sometimes dogs eat grass, other times they just chew and spit out the grass. The reasons for this behavior have not yet been scientifically explained. However, there are many assumptions, the most common of which are:
The appetite for grass is one of dogs' natural behavioral patterns. Observations show that both wolves, foxes and dingoes regularly supplement their diet with fresh blades of grass. Dogs therefore have this pattern in their genes, and puppies inherit this practice from their mother. It should also be noted that grass eating by dogs may be related to their dietary needs. Some dogs eat grass while walking because they are thirsty. Fresh grass contains a lot of water, especially that moistened by dew or rain. In addition, cereals from the Poaceae family, including barley grass, are a valuable source of nutrients. They contain proteins, amino acids, a wide range of minerals (magnesium, calcium and iron. Calcium, phosphorus, manganese, zinc, potassium, selenium) and vitamins, especially from group B. So if a dog enjoys eating blades of grass, it can it simply tries to compensate for the lack of nutrients.
Now that we know the reasons why dogs eat blades of grass from time to time, the question arises - should you let your dog eat grass? In most cases, this behavior is not harmful, but there are situations in which eating grass may be dangerous to the dog's health. Dog owners usually quickly realize that eating grass is no longer normal behavior. This happens, for example, when your four-legged friend eats excessive amounts or swallows it greedily without chewing it. In addition to vomiting, it can also cause indigestion, diarrhea and other digestive problems. You should carefully monitor your pet's behavior. It is best to note how often and in what situations he eats grass. This information will help your veterinarian make a diagnosis. Additionally, if your pet has a fever, blood or mucus in its stool, cannot defecate, or shows other disturbing symptoms, you should take it to the vet immediately. These symptoms may indicate serious gastrointestinal diseases or intestinal obstruction.
Eating grass also carries other risks that most caregivers are unaware of. These are lungworms. These parasites develop in the dog's heart and pulmonary arteries. A four-legged friend most often becomes infected when he accidentally or intentionally eats an intermediate host, i.e. a snail (eating grass while walking). The parasite larvae get from the snail to the dog's intestines and migrate to the dog's heart and lungs. There, they develop into adult worms, which in turn lay eggs. The newly hatched larvae cause damage to lung tissue.
Symptoms of lungworm infestation include: cough of varying severity, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, fever, weakness, and nosebleeds and other bleeding disorders caused by blood clotting disorders. Neurological disorders and cardiovascular problems also occur. These symptoms are an indication for immediate veterinary consultation. Treatment is carried out by administering special deworming preparations. If left untreated, a lungworm infestation can be fatal. Prevention in this area includes frequent deworming and regular application of a preparation that prevents lungworm infection.
Moreover, if your pet likes to snack on grass, it is worth being especially vigilant in several situations:
[ngg-alert]Dogs often excrete undigested blades of grass, which can cause problems with bowel movements. Blades of grass protruding from the anus should be removed with particular care, as the sharp edges may irritate the mucous membrane of the anal canal. If you have difficulty removing such grass, contact your veterinarian.[/ngg-alert]
If your pet eats a blade of grass from time to time, there is no reason to worry. If you feel that your dog is eating too much grass and you would like to limit it, you can try some home remedies. Of course, provided that the pet is healthy and cheerful and, apart from excessive appetite for grass, does not show any other disturbing symptoms. Nutrient deficiencies result primarily from improper nutrition, so it is worth supplementing your diet with products rich in fiber. A serving of vegetables may include: carrot, beetroot, parsley, celery, sweet pepper, green beans, spinach and pumpkin. Cereal products on the menu include: brown rice, buckwheat and barley. You can also enrich your meals with an appropriate portion of fruit. In addition, you should take water with you on longer walks to avoid a situation in which your pet reaches for grass to quench its thirst.
And finally, always you can teach your pet a very useful command: "leave it" and in a problematic situation, give him an order to stop eating grass. Generally speaking, learning to respond correctly to this command has an extremely important place in the education of every dog. Thanks to this command, you can not only protect valuable items from destruction, but above all, in difficult circumstances, ensure the safety of your four-legged friend.
Dogs eating grass is part of their natural, instinctive behavior. If your dog eats a blade of grass from time to time and is vaccinated and regularly dewormed, you do not have to worry. Even a sudden liking for grass is not necessarily a reason to visit the vet. If your four-legged friend is otherwise happy, eating normally, and behaving normally, you can just keep an eye on him for now. However, if additional symptoms appear, in particular disturbing changes in behavior or problems with the digestive system, you should immediately take your pet to the vet.
And one more important issue - although eating grass occasionally is not dangerous in itself, it is worth choosing the "dog pasture" appropriately. Make sure the grass is not contaminated with chemicals or other harmful substances, as may be the case near agricultural land or busy roads. Eating grass with sharp edges can also be problematic.
Dogs are not exclusively carnivores, they also enjoy plant-based foods such as fruits and vegetables. However, remember to never approach feeding your four-legged friend carelessly. Although we know that fruits are a valuable source of vitamins and minerals for your pet, not all plant raw materials are safe for them. So, can a dog eat apples? In this article, we have collected the most important information about the dog-apple connection.
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